"I’ve always been into fashion. I’ve never been a jean kind of person,” Ronald Hayes says as he prepares to put up merchandise on the shelves of his infant clothing store, House of Styles.
He was telling me something I already knew.
Having gone to the same high school, I remember Hayes being a businessman even back then; putting together a music group and acting as their manager. And a manager has to look professional right?
While other high school boys were wearing the latest urban fashion, you could find Hayes in a blazer and tie.
Hayes’ flair for fashion went beyond an effort to be more than casual. He worked in retail for the past decade, lending his love of clothing to trendy dressers like himself.
“I worked at Shoe Connection for two years, Dillard’s for two years, Giorgio’s for two years ... I have a total of 10 to 12 years in retail,” he boasts.
Most locals know Hayes from his time spent at Giorgio’s (with whom he has parted ways), but most know him as the General Manager for GiGi’s Martini Room.
You can see him any weekend night running around the club, dressed to impress.
Both management experiences, combined with his retail background, have trained him to become the businessman he is today, and have prepared him for the opportunity of a lifetime – owning his own store and debuting his very own collection.
Hayes, along with partner Malcolm Demery, had been outfitting stylish men for some time now – even boasting clientele from the NBA (like New Jersey Net and Shreveport native, Stromile Swift) and the NFL.
Hayes says most of his business came from larger cities like Houston (where his designer line is manufactured) and Dallas.
However, it was a no-brainer to open his first store in his hometown.
The House of Styles opened two months ago. It’s in a prime location for blossoming business – Youree Drive. Now that construction in the area is complete, traffic is picking up and Hayes says the word is getting out about the store.
The quaint, but modern shop carries designers like Stacy Adams, Syllables (including wide-leg slacks) and Stevnland.
“Stevnland was the first company to let me carry anything in the store,” Hayes recalls, stamping his seal of loyalty by continuing to carry the line.
The exclusive Ronald Hayes collection features neckties and blazers. The custom line also features designer suits and polo shirts.
Hayes makes it clear that men from all income levels can find something to upgrade their wardrobe at House of Styles:
“Our store has something for everyone: For the average working person or high school student we have suits starting at $100.
For the high-end man with style we have Hugo Boss, Gucci and Armani starting at $460.
For those looking for a one-of-a-kind custom tailored fit, they can get a custom suit from the Ronald Hayes Collection, starting at $675.”
Hayes continues his pitch by adding that he wants to be able to outfit the everyday working man who wants to show-off a little, as well as the professional man who needs a great suit for a special event.
House of Styles even offers discounts every third Tuesday of the month -- $100 off tailored suits and 15% off tailored shirts; plus GM employees get a 10% discount everyday.
For the ladies wondering where your designer duds are -- don’t fret. The House of Styles carries ladies shoes that can go from the board room to the Martini Room without missing a beat.
Hayes says he hopes to expand the inventory for ladies in the coming months to include handbags, accessories and dresses.
And of course the clothes at House of Styles won’t just hang on the racks waiting for you to come check them out. The store is putting their product out for the people to see.
Hayes says they participated in the Sista Big Bones Fashion Show earlier this year, and will also be featured at the Minority Business Council Mixer this month.
There are also plans to host their own fashions shows in the summer and fall; they are in talks to place items in the gift shop at Horseshoe Casino; and considerations are being made to open a store in Houston.
From retail clerk to designer and business owner. From ringing up the clothes to customizing them. It’s the kind of story you hear on TV. Yet, Ronald Hayes is actually living it – right here in Shreveport.
He went from the high school kid with a unique fashion interest to having his name emblazoned on designer suits.
It’s a fashion-lover’s dream come true. So go share in his dream by visiting House of Styles and taking a peek around the store.
Hayes embodies the motto of the store – “You don’t just shop it, you live it.”
And he wants you to live it too.
(Store Hours – 10-6 M-TH, 10-7 Fri/Sat, Closed on Sundays)
- story & photos by mahogani (c) 2008
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