Because it doesn’t cost a fortune to look like a million bucks, there’s no excuse for looking sloppy or dressing inappropriately for the occasion. And it doesn’t matter if the occasion is as simple as attending school or church or as important as applying for a job.
“How you dress and how you carry yourself make a very big difference. I can’t emphasize that enough,” said Andre Holliday as he addressed the high school seniors who will be presented at the 25th anniversary Beautillion put on by the Denver chapter of Jack and Jill of America. “Especially when you’re on a job interview and all those resumes are looking alike, what’s going to make you stand out (to the interviewer)? Your clothing. And you’re not going to make the right impression if you’re sagging or wearing a lot of bling.”
Holliday — whose own son, a student at Texas Christian University, was a Beau in 2004 — owns Clothing By Andre, a men’s boutique in Cherry Creek North. While his clients are primarily athletes and high-profile businessmen, Holliday made it very clear that a suit doesn’t have to be expensive to send the right message.
It’s all about the fit.
“You can buy something at Super Target or K&G and have it altered to a better fit,” he said. “After you land that job, then you can start working your way into the finer materials and custom looks.”
The session at Holliday’s store was one in a series of special events leading up to the Dec. 21 presentation that is being chaired by June Johnson and Faye Wilson Tate. Last Sunday, the Beaus assembled at Stanley British Primary School to hear Kevin Patterson, Denver’s manager of Parks and Recreation and a member of the Denver school board; Judge Andre Rudolph and Derrick Watson of the University of Colorado speak on College, Careers and Community Service.
Holliday, a 1983 graduate of Montbello High School, told the Beaus he got his sense of style from his grandfather, who’d been career military. “Even going to class in high school, I always wore slacks and a dress shirt,” he recalled. “People always were asking me where I was going, but that was OK. I like the impact dressing up has. I like the way people treat you and greet you when you’re dressed up.”
Besides, he said, “dressing up is how you honor yourself and your family. I tell that to my clients who are professional athletes, and I’m telling that to you because as Beaus, the eyes of the community are on you, and you want to make everyone proud.”
The 2008 Beaus, and the schools they attend, are:
Kevin Neal Patterson II, Denver School of the Arts; Terrance David Walker, Cherry Creek High School; Brandon Earl Miller, Cherokee Trail High School; Ethan John Rice, East High School; Nathan Lanze Brown, Overland High School; Marcus Robert Flowers, East; Philip Bruce Jones, Colorado Academy; Michael Marshall, Montbello High School; Kendall Trey Robertson, Montbello; Gamachu Kelil Said, East; Aaron Giron, Smoky Hill High School; and Valerian James Riddle, Legacy High School.
Taylor Cortland Johnson, Machebeuf High School; James Eugene Bryant, East; Joshua Nathaniel Martin, Cherokee Trail; Michael McKinley Davis II, Thomas Jefferson High School; David Irving Jones, Colorado Academy; Bradley Marion Achim Steward, Denver School of Science & Technology; Micah Kenneth Green, Cherokee Trail; Deion Joiner Hardy, East; Kahler Shane Billinghurst, Cherry Creek; Kendall Early, Kent Denver School; Adrian Jamal Lockett, Rangeview High School; Aris Strawn Lewis Molock, East; Jervae’ Montrel Roquemore, George Washington High School; Greyland Jarrington Kindrick Howell, Rocky Mountain Lutheran High School; Travis Raymond Smith, Broomfield High School; Eriq Carlos Shipp, Overland; Benjamin Curley Madry, Smoky Hill; Kendall J. Gregory-McGhee, Cherokee Trail; Edward James Harlan Jr., East; Marray Marsae Napue, East and Thomas Matthews, Fairview High School.
Coming right up.
CBS4’s Molly Hughes emcees the Great American Jacket Exchange, a benefit for Warren Village that gets underway at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Oxford Hotel. Guests are asked to bring two gently used jackets, blazers or purses; for that and $25, they can pick one item to take home. There’ll also be light refreshments and DJ music. . . . New and vintage handbags will be for sale at the Old Bags Bruncheon that begins at 11 a.m. Sunday at Cherry Hills Country Club. Michele Maxfield, Mary McNicholas and Sandee Walling chair this benefit for the Rocky Mountain Multiple Sclerosis Center; Ann Fulton of “Never Pay Retail” is the speaker. The $75 tickets can be purchased by calling 303-792-9880. . . . Project PAVE’s 16th annual Secret Chefs Wine Dinner & Auction begins at 5:30 p.m. Sunday at Strings. Joe Hubbard chairs the $150-a-ticket event that is co-sponsored by Whole Foods and Baroness Wines; Colorado first lady Jeannie Ritter is the honorary chair. Call Jaime Livaditis, 303-322-2382. . . . Same night: Owner Michael Coughlin opens his 240 Union restaurant for an autumn harvest dinner to benefit Hospice of St. John. In addition to a multicourse meal, there’ll be music by pianist Derry O’Leary and an auction coordinated by Lila Bellamente. The $90 tickets are available from Shannon Clifford, 303-865-7206.
Society editor Joanne Davidson: 303-809-1314 or jdavidson@ ; also,
