From the Nuggets’ Chauncey Billups to the Avs’ John-Michael Liles to New York Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia, when it’s time for some of the nation’s best athletes to get dressed, they look no further than custom clothing impresario Andre Holliday. With a client list as long as a football field, Holliday’s cellphone never stops ringing. His Cherry Creek- based store, Clothing by Andre, is a destination spot, and Holliday vows never to let clients go away looking anything less than their best. Holliday talked about his niche with Denver Post staff writer Chris Dempsey.
Q: When did athletes turn to wanting to be well-dressed?
A: For every individual, there’s a transition. When that comes, ideally I think it comes from their peers or somebody that they’ve modeled as someone they look up to in the sport. For instance, Chauncey, him being here now, his locker-room presence and how he carries himself, some of the guys are taking note. I don’t think any of them say, “It’s time.” I think they just see it. Let’s face it: You can only wear the ball cap crooked for so long, or the pants hanging off your butt and the Timberland boots.
Q: Who are your most prolific clients?
A: Chauncey. CC Sabathia. Ellis Burks. John Liles. Dan Hinote. Linas Kleiza — Kleiza’s a clotheshorse. Deltha O’Neal. Antonio McDyess. One of my biggest guys, and I hate that he’s not playing, who also was a clotheshorse was (former Bronco) Nate Wayne. Nate would buy, and there’s only eight away games, 16 suits. I’ve literally watched movies for him because he’s seen a movie and he wants a suit that was in a movie.
Q: How many guys call saying, “Dre, I need some help.”
A: It happens often. I’d say a couple of times a month, at least. And I’m honored by it.
Q: I watch news conferences for what the athletes are saying. You watch them for fashion?
A: (laughs) Always. I’m a guy, once you say “press conference,” it’s a big deal. And I think you’re supposed to dress that way. I want you to be full-blown shirt, tie, suit, the whole nine yards. I look at all press conferences. I look at “SportsCenter.” One, I take interest in what my guys are doing. Two, I like to know where they’re going to be next week, in case they get traded. And three, I like to see how they are wearing the stuff I helped them buy.
Q: You have to call guys out when they botch your guidance?
A: (laughs) I’ve called them and said: “What were you thinking with that shirt? That’s not what we did.” And they’ll go, “I knew you were going to say something!” Oh, I chastise them. I’ve called guys, they’ll be in New York and it might be 2 o’clock their time, I’ll leave you a message. I will leave you a message.
Q: I have to say, getting dressed to come talk to the fashion guru is intimidating.
A: Little bit intimidating, huh? (laughs) One of the things I try to tell all my clients and friends, because it’s so normal for me, but I learn something from how everybody dresses.
Q: You’ve been here since 2002. Are you amazed at your success?
A: It was noted that I would last six months. And that was by the bigger men’s stores here. They said I’d last six months. And (more than) five years later, I’m still here.
Chris Dempsey: 303-954-1279 or cdempsey@denverpost.com
Stretched to seven
These are Andre Holliday’s best-dressed athletes, which he can’t hold to just five. “I have seven,” Holliday says. They are:
1. Antonio McDyess
2. Chauncey Billups
3. John-Michael Liles
4. Dan Hinote
5. Ellis Burks
6. Linas Kleiza
7. CC Sabathia
