Who knew that Houston has so many fashion-forward men? They turned out in droves for the opening of Suitsupply, a new men's store with European flair in West Ave.
Dutch founder and CEO Fokke de Jong and Suitsupply VP Nish de Gruiter welcomed a large crowd to the chain's first store in Texas. Guests sipped on Veuve Clicquot and Heineken beer and munched on hamburger sliders as they perused the store, which is swathed in bright colors and bold photography, and checked out hundreds of high-quality suits, along with more casual weekend wear.
Since founding the chain in Amsterdam in 2000, de Jong has expanded to the United States and Asia with a concept of reasonably-priced suits (ranging from $399 to $999) made of Italian-made fabrics and manufactured especially for the store. An in-house tailor, located at the entrance (on the second floor above Tootsies), can alter most suits while customers wait.
"We're very much a destination place," said de Jong. "Men are not scared of shopping; they just don't like to run from store to store."
Suitsupply officials chose Houston for its first Texas outpost because it is already doing a booming online business from the area, de Gruiter said. And he marveled at how friendly Houstonians are, noting that someone even dropped by the store and left them fresh-baked cookies to welcome them.
Seen in the throng were Jonas Fertitta, Luke Fertitta, James Kuntz, Kevin Weeks, Suitsupply special projects manager Stephanie de Kanter, Julie Rhodes O'Neal, Weston Wayne, Braxton Huggins, Chris Goins, Adam Churdy, Bob Staal, Ekaterina Novozhilova, Lilia Lohinska and Viktoria Broje.
Also on hand were Fady Armanious, Geno Segura, Kahia Perry, Vico Puentes, Gerry and Kenna Gibson, Travis Kern, Philippe Licausi, Nicole Stresau, Sarah Broyles, John Gugenheim, Paige Matthews, Susie Condara, Michelle Nelson, Sarah Wheeler, Billy Bettingen, Laura Park, Brittany Edwards, Aaron Garza, Atta Shay, Jay Bustos, Yari Pujols and Carrie Lofton.
Kevin Weeks, left, and Weston Wayne at the Suitsupply Houston grand opening party.
