We had the privilege of sitting down with Lisa Dolan, the founder and President of the new men’s styling and personal shopping concierge service Savile Row Society, which is reinventing the way men shop with a curated, omni-channel platform staffed with professional fashion stylists, to ensure men get the right look and fit, every time.
With a luxurious New York showroom steps from Madison Square Park and an intuitive online platform, Savile Row Society is the one-stop shopping destination that caters to every wardrobe need, from men’s custom suiting, to shoes, to accessories. SRS offers more than 80 best-in-class brands including Barbour, Lacoste, Hook & Albert, Paul Evans, Haspel, Edward Armah, Pretentious Pocket, Alan Paine, Margo Petitti, Tateossian, Allen Edmonds and Daniel Wellington. Here we have an exclusive interview with Lisa Dolan:Women’s Mafia: What is the mission of Savile Row Society? What are the unique draws for your clients and customers?
Savile Row Society’s mission is to make an efficient and enjoyable shopping experience for the professional male. My goal is to make sure every guy has access to quality garments in an easy to use format. It’s that simple. I also have high falutin ideas about making SRS a men’s club, replicating the feeling of a Havana Club.
WM: How did you get your start in the world of high-end fashion and what advice do you have for up-and-coming young entrepreneurs and stylists?
I threw myself into the mens fashion world – I went to the high-end designers’ Market parties. The first warm intros were always done in a non-business setting, which was very helpful to me.
I learned that the high-end mens fashion business is very much of a family – everyone knows each other, and in order to do business, you need to join the family, and I was excited to join. I was originally seen as the weird tech-company but in the end after a few seasons, designers perked up and recognized SRS could be an idea partner to reach our high-end customer.
WM: I understand you support some great causes with Savile Row Society. What causes are important to you?
Career Gear provides professional clothing to under privileged men who are looking for employment. SRS was originally built on the tenets that personal branding and image are so important in today’s fluid marketplace, where no one stays in a profession or location for a lifetime.
Getting the interview/job is where the main discrepancies lie – once you have the job, anyone can learn and prove themselves. I am confident Career Gear has some role in closing that gap.
WM: When did you realize you could make your passion your career?
I was running on a treadmill and I saw my life on a clearly charted path in front of me.
I wanted to create my own path.
I knew I wasn’t excited – I wasn’t giving myself the opportunity to make an impact in any way. Thru SRS, we can effectively improve the image of professional men, to help them achieve both their personal and professional goals
WM: What is your favorite date night look for a man?
A blazer, jeans, brown shoes, and a shirt of his choosing – button downed to black tee shirt – the shirt shows what kind of man he is.
WM: You do so much between running your business, hosting so many fashion events and your cat type of person he is, or what type of date he wants it to be. I love a guy who wears a pocket square and no tie.
harity work – what energizes you?
Hmm that’s a good question – I don’t really know – I’ve always naturally had a lot of energy. I think it’s that I am extremely curious, love challenges, and love doing something new. If I had to pinpoint one driver, it would be my curiosity – I want to constantly be learning of what’s out there, and how I can be a part of it.
WM: What can the Women’s Mafia make happen for you?
Well for starters, I’d love to have SRS dress your man so you can go on doing what you love to do, and do other, more fun things together than go shopping!
WM: Lastly, please share with us – If you could dress any gentleman, alive or dead who would it be?
Warren Buffet! Mr. Buffet – our atelier is always open to you. :-)