Thaddeus Harden
Roy Rizwan is all about fashion. Since bringing his boutique shop XAR Clothier to Southlake Town Square in 2012, Roy has been sizing up men and women to create sharp, stunning looks that make heads turn. Now celebrating his shop’s 10th anniversary this month, it's safe to say that Roy is well-suited for Southlake.
I’VE ALWAYS HAD... an eye for fashion. In my culture, the expectation is to become a doctor, lawyer or engineer. Instead, I went to fashion school. It always came naturally to me. It’s an extension of who I am.
AFTER GRADUATING, I... worked [in fashion sales] for about 11 years. We went through rigorous training, and that helped me eventually become the No. 1 salesperson in the U.S. In this field, you have to learn to wear many hats at the same time when you’re on the sales floor.
I OPENED MY OWN STORE IN DALLAS IN... 2011. One of my clients kept insisting that I should check out the Southlake area and open a clothing store there. The following year, I introduced XAR Clothier to Southlake Town Square.
YOU DON’T NORMALLY SEE... a lot of colors in other fashion stores. Many people are afraid to introduce and combine different colors, and as a result, they stick mostly with black and cognac. My store is unique in that our pieces pop off of the stands with color, and people see that the minute they walk in. Fashion is ever-evolving, so I always try to bring in something different and see what works for my clients.
MY COLORS CHANGE... with the seasons. Over the summer, we introduced a lot of bright colors: A lot of vermillions, tangerines and bright yellows. This fall, you’ll see a lot of deeper hues such as burgundy, deep purples, browns, greens and navy blues. It’s going to be a season of rich colors.
FASHION IN SOUTHLAKE HAS CHANGED... a lot since I’ve come here. We used to see a lot of traditional navy jackets, khaki pants and men sometimes wearing one size bigger than they needed to. Today, their style stands out. When you go to a party, you can tell when someone is wearing XAR.
I’M FAMOUS FOR... my jackets, my pocket squares and my flowers. If you see someone with a flower and a pocket square, you can tell that Roy dressed them up.
WHEN I MOVED INTO MY CURRENT SPACE IN... 2020, I fortunately had room to bring both men’s and women’s clothing under the same roof. I always try to have something that a couple will love together and complements what the other is wearing. For instance, if somebody chooses a yellow jacket, I will try to contrast it with gray or brown.
I ALWAYS KNOW THE FASHION TRENDS... three years ahead because I look at what’s going on internationally. In terms of global fashion trends, we’re always a few years behind. That said, I know that old school [style] will be coming back, along with the double-breasted jackets and pleated pants. We may not be immediately ready for some fashion trends, but we always manage to catch up.
I AM BLESSED WITH... the ability to look at my clients and immediately tell their size. When anyone walks into my store, I can take a look at them and know how tall they are. I can tell their waistline, neckline, shirt and shoe size. This comes with years of practice and experience. In my case, I’ve had 27 years of experience.
THE ONE THING ABOUT SOUTHLAKE IS THAT... people are extremely loyal. Residents here are always ready to support Southlake businesses. They’ve always had my back, and it always gives me immense pleasure to support my community in whatever ways I can.
CUSTOMER SERVICE HAS... always been my No. 1 priority and the secret behind my success. We don’t believe in judging people here, and we give them all of our best service. Whether they come in only to browse the collection or spend a million dollars, every customer receives the same experience. We believe in treating everyone equally.
MY FAVORITE THING ABOUT XAR CLOTHIER IS... the confidence it brings people. When they’re wearing anything from XAR and they receive compliments, it makes me feel good. When they take pictures and feel happy, that’s when I feel like my job is done. That makes my day every time.