Here’s the interview with Mr. Ambrico mentioned in the previous post, “Dressing Well is Good for Business.”

Good morning David.

To begin our interview, let’s start with your clientele. 

Who uses your services?

A. I want to represent older guys who know who they are, comfortable in their skin and relevant, not lost in a world of massive changes.  

Tell us more about your brand.

A. My brand is about power and masculinity. I take a  contemporary look at the golden era of Hollywood.

I found my clients were more about buying into the lifestyle of a successful rakish man, one who is aging gracefully and reinventing himself throughout each decade and stage of life. Staying relevant without being trendy.

Ah, “rakish!”  I love that word, evokes thoughts of the dashing Hollywood star or jaunty renaissance man. How does it apply to your prototypical client?

A. He’s a guy with an attitude. Mostly because he’s been there and done that. No matter what “that” is. As they say this isn’t his first rodeo. He’s confident because he’s lived a life and learned thru trial and error what works and what doesn’t.

Now, give your take on two more words, “power” and “masculinity.”

A. Power and masculinity can be somewhat intermixed.  Often, it’s a man’s masculinity that gives him power. But it’s not brute force. In fact, I find force offensive. One can be strong, masculine and powerful without being a brute or forceful.

What are your favorite movies for ideas about men’s wear?

  1. Die Hard – when Alan Richman (the leader of the terrorist team) was discussing sartorial perspectives in the elevator was awesome!
  2. Wall Street 
  3. American Psycho 
  4. Bugsy 
  5. Boardwalk Empire – HBO
  6. Anything with Carey Grant in it 
  7. Public Enemies – inspired me to have Optimo make me a Dillinger fedora 
  8. Perry Mason – HBO 
  9. Gatsby 1974 
  10. Tucker and Sea Biscuit (Jeff Bridges basically played the same character in both films).
  11. Godfather Part Two
  12. Casablanca- the hat, but specifically, Rick’s white dinner jacket

What is your goal? 

A. I’m creating the best dressed men in America.

How will you do that? Tell us more about what you do specifically.

A. I design wardrobes for my clients. Carefully designed and planned out with my clients image at the core of everything we do. 

I focus on the individuality and rakishness of men who know who they are, what they want, and how they want to present their own unique brand.

“Brand.” Let’s consider that. I suppose you and I could wear the same navy suit, same white shirt, and same red tie and yet people would be able to distinguish our individual “brands.” How do I identify and convey my brand?

A. That can be achieved in many ways. The obvious choices could be accessories chosen or little nuances like how you wear those accessories. Or, it can be as dramatic as the individual. I live in Texas and many men will wear boots and a western hat with their suits. It’s not for everyone, but it is certainly their brand and how they’re identified.  But I also look deeper. I’ll add little subtleties to someone’s choices to enhance that individual.

My background is unique. I was trained in classic menswear design but originally opted to begin my career in merchandising. After ten years, I switched careers and worked on Wall Street. As my career progressed, I started having my suits made, but never felt the tailors I used reflected my brand into my clothing. Then it hit me. I had a design background and understood the importance of creating and executing a brand, so I married the two and that’s how I began.

What makes me different from other designers, clothiers and tailors is I spent over 35 years as a professional businessman knowing how image impacts decision making and effectiveness.

Now, I help my clients leverage looks that make them more effective and confident in their lives.

Thank you David Ambrico!