Client Spotlight

At Savile Row, we have an extraordinary group of clients. Recently one of our clients, Steve Wedel, founding partner of Four Seasons Wealth Management, showed off his Savile Row style in a royal way and sat down with Wendy to discuss fashion, finances and much more!

Q: Are you a native of St. Louis?

A: No, I was actually born and raised in Des Moines, Iowa.

Q: Since you are not from St. Louis I can’t ask you the ever present question about where you went to high school, but where did you attend college?

A: I did my undergrad at Drake University in Des Moines. After receiving my degree I continued my education in finance at the University of Iowa. I was hired by a firm in St. Louis while on campus and that is what brought me here originally. 

Q: Once in St. Louis, where did your professional career take you?

A: Well I stayed in St. Louis with the firm that hired me out of college for three years, after those three years I went out on my own. In 2003, I became the founding partner of the Four Seasons Wealth Management.

Q: Would you mind telling me a little about Four Seasons?

A: Technically we are a complex and comprehensive fee-based financial planner. What we do is help people reduce taxes, assist in estate planning and help people retire. I like to focus on making sure my clients get to live the life they have dreamed of after working. 

Q: In your professional life, what are you most proud of?

A: There are several things to start with; there are two types of financial planners: ones that work for a firm and ones that work for a client. I am proud of the fact that I work for the client. Another thing I am proud of is the awards I received from Barron’s magazine.  Three years in a row I was named one of the Top 1000 Financial Planners of the Year for 2009, 10 & 11. As well as being named the Top Financial Advisor in Missouri. The last thing I am proud of is finding the very best clothing advisor.  (Thanks Steve, I’m blushing)

Q: Would you share with us a little about your family?

A: Sure. I am married to Lynn and we live in Town and Country. We also work together. Lynn handles the company’s finances and employee benefits. Aside from that she has impeccable taste and a great sense of style when it comes to designing and decorating our home and offices. 

We have two daughters; our oldest Lisa graduated from Vanderbilt University and works in the marketing department for Build-A-Bear International. Our youngest daughter Megan just recently graduated from the University of Arizona with a degree in architecture and is on the job hunt journey with some very promising prospects. 

Q: Favorite hobbies or past times?

A: (Laughs) Well after our crazy work life I love to race cars, specifically high performance Dodge Vipers on road courses throughout the US in the summer. I also love to collect American muscle cars from the late sixties and early seventies, especially Dodges and Plymouths. Lately it has been Ferraris. 

Q: Do you and Lynn have a favorite vacation?

A: I think our favorite repeat vacation destination would be Maui followed very closely by a London/Paris combo; we like staying in one and taking the Chunnel to the other.

Q: Recently you were featured in Town & Style for a party you threw. Would you tell me how you came up with the idea and why?

A: We really enjoy entertaining friends and neighbors and we like to be creative when it comes to throwing parties. Earlier this year before all the hoopla started we thought it would be a fun concept to throw the US reception for Princess Katherine and Prince William so it spun forward into everything that is British.   Click the following link to see photos of Steve and Lynn's  Royal Party, skip to page 22-23. http://www.townandstyle.net/june1/

Q: Ideas on fashion?

A: I have two observations. In business life, suit and tie every day. I like to mix it up with the ties a little. Conservative suit and shirt but have a little fun with the tie. I do believe it is a special treat to wear custom suits and shirts. Socially, though, I like to change it up to a more fun style with colors and patterns. 

Savile Row and Wendy would like to thank Steve for taking the time to sit down and share a bit about his life. We always enjoy getting to know our clients better and we look forward to many more interviews in the future!

Q&A: How Do I Become a Travel-Savvy Dresser?

A: Whether it be for a business trip, a wedding, or even a family vacation, there will come a time when your finer clothing needs to take a trip. Take the time to pack smart and avoid wrinkled, worn-looking attire not to mention hours of steaming and ironing upon arriving at your destination. 

Choose the Proper Luggage

Soft luggage affords more flexibility and contains extra compartments, allowing room for more items. Additionally, soft luggage is usually less cumbersome to transport (but make sure it’s waterproof!). 

Hard luggage, however, is much sturdier and provides ample protection from traveling dangers, such as rough baggage handling and the elements. It’s usually stain-resistant and the better choice if you’re traveling with anything fragile.

Think Before You Pack

To avoid over packing, make a list of everything you’ll need. Take weather conditions, length of your trip, and planned activities into consideration. It’s good to be prepared, but even the most skilled packer can’t cram half his wardrobe into a carry-on suitcase.

1. Begin with the heavier items, such as sweaters, athletic attire, and jeans. These items are bulkier and less prone to wrinkles, thus can better withstand being placed on the bottom.

2. Invest in travel trees and cloth bags for your shoes. These items will keep your shoes intact and prevent scuffing. Arrange with the soles out around the edge of your suitcase.

Travel tip: Take advantage of soft accessories like socks and handkerchiefs to pad the rest of your items.

Next come the dress shirts. Roll them from the bottom to the top.  Place tissue paper behind the shirt before rolling it to prevent wrinkles.  Alternate the top of each shirt at either end of the suitcase.

When packing dress pants and trousers, make sure the pleats are aligned before rolling them at the knee to prevent wrinkling. 

5. Jackets are last to be packed and can either be turned inside out and folded lengthwise or folded above the waist, depending on the size of your luggage. 

Travel tip #2: Buy a small can of aerosol to loosen wrinkles upon unpacking. They cut down static and keep shirts looking fresh.

Travel Tip #3: Put all liquids in ziplock bags.

Owner Spotlight: David Shockley

David Shockley sits down to discuss the Savile Row approach and what makes custom-made garments so special. 

Q: What is the Wardrobe Management Solution? 

A: I developed this process while working with hundreds of successful people during the past 25 years. We help them assess their current wardrobe--choosing the clothes to keep and which to discard. We help them develop a vision of an ideal wardrobe--for both business and casual situations. Then we look at different wardrobe options and choose the most appropriate clothing and accessories. Finally, we develop a long term wardrobe management plan. By following this process, our customers develop a wardrobe which makes them feel increasingly more confident and comfortable.

After this process is completed, our client will have a wardrobe that fits well, and includes clothing appropriate for any situation. You will be more certain you look your best at all times. You’ll feel more significant and successful, most importantly; your increased confidence about your wardrobe will help you become even more successful in your life.

Q: You feel that a man’s appearance is really that critical to his success?

A: You bet it is. As we all know, there are many elements of success. Most are difficult to control like talent, timing attitude, motivation—luck.  Only one - our appearance - counts at first sight. 

Q: How does Savile Row differ from traditional men’s clothing stores?

A: (Chuckle) First, it’s not a typical retail store atmosphere. It’s a tastefully appointed showroom where a client may select fabrics and be fitted for garments in quiet comfort. Secondly, as wardrobe consultants we are able to advise the client on proper styles appropriate for his particular body size, profession and lifestyle.

One of the truly exceptional qualities of custom clothing is that they fit the individual perfectly. No one person is exactly the same as another. That is where the custom comes in.  When you wear your custom shirt, suit or sportcoat it will fit you better than any clothing you could buy off the rack. 

Q: How long does it take for a typical fitting?

A: On the first visit, it might take 30 minutes to an hour. Subsequent visits can take much less time, because we have in hand all of the persons fitting specifications.  Choose a fabric and go.  Create a wish list and an order could be placed either over the phone or by email.   In fact, if a spouse wants to order a custom garment as a special present, he or she could literally do so by phone--as long as our client has had that first fitting. 

Q: Do you have only custom clothing and custom shirts?

A: No, I am glad to say that we have a terrific collection of sportswear, furnishings and accessories that consists of silk neckwear, cashmere sweaters, outerwear, rainwear and a complete line of dress and casual shoes, as well as ready-to-wear line of suits, blazers and slacks.

Q: Can you tell us about your pricing structure?

A: Well, we feel we must offer a wide range of pricing. We want to be competitive with the traditional, off-the-rack stores. And I think you will see that we are--this is to appeal to everyone from the junior executive right up the ladder to the CEO.

Our custom shirts start at $100 and a custom made suit may run $700 and up depending on the fabric and the amount of hand work a client may choose. Surprisingly, custom needn’t cost you any more than comparable ready-to-wear clothing, and if I might add, you don’t end up with a closet full of compromises you don’t wear. 

For more information call (314) 567-8500 or visit www.savilerowstl.com.