This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. To order presentation-ready copies for distribution to your colleagues, clients or customers visit http://www.djreprints.com.
https://www.barrons.com/articles/worldwise-menswear-designer-todd-snyders-favorite-things-01640800876
There are few names as synonymous with modern American menswear as Todd Snyder. The designer and entrepreneur, who turned 54 in November, has a decades-long career in men’s fashion capstoned by his namesake line celebrating 10 years this year.
A key to Snyder’s longevity? Adapting with the times.
“Business has been really good,” he says. “During the pandemic we saw a decline in our suiting business, but in the second half of 2021, more people are attending things and we’ve seen a return to guys wanting a tux.”
Some of Snyder’s recent collaborations, including capsules with athletic brand Champion and outfitter L.L. Bean, were among the year’s most in-demand collections. Snyder recently opened two new brick-and-mortar retail locations, in New York’s Rockefeller Center and in Greenwich, Conn.
“Ninety percent of our sales are online, and [we] see that continuing, but we like retail brick-and-mortar as a discovery point for the brand, then [visitors will] shop online,” he says.
Penta caught up with the New York-based designer about new skills he’s learned during the pandemic, and what he hopes to return to as the world reopens.
My most worn piece of clothing is… a camel hair, double-breasted officer’s coat, with camel on the outside, and a gray heather on the inside. I can wear it with sneakers or joggers (it’s an easy way to dress up the latter). It’s quickly becoming one of our best-sellers after being reintroduced this year.
The best book I’ve read in the past year is… I was late to the game, but I loved Shoe Dog [by Phil Knight ]. I love Nike and grew up with the brand. It was a nice way to reconnect to my past. I think it coincided with the whole The Last Dance documentary launch, remembering all those times, and it was neat to remember the family and brothers who I used to play basketball with. How Nike started and how they did it, it all makes sense. It’s weird because I’m in the industry and you don’t think about those “starting in the garage” moments, but it’s a great story.
The thing that gets me up in the morning is… right now, it’s my 21-month-old baby. One of my favorite things to do that I discovered through the pandemic (because I’m not rushing off to work) is cooking her breakfast. This is my second go-round of having kids, and I really enjoy waking up to her. Her favorite (for at least this month) is banana pancakes.
The thing I’m most excited about in menswear is… there’s this ever-present streetwear phenomenon and we’re seeing that evolution happening right before our eyes. Things used to be a certain way, and now you’re seeing a progression, whether Kanye, Jerry Lorenzo, (or others) starting to go through this minimal, tonal phase. For me, it’s neat to see a lot of this attention on menswear right now. Women are borrowing from menswear styles and we’re seeing that all across the globe.
Also, sustainability is becoming a lot more accessible. Five years ago it was really hard to find sustainable options, but now it’s easier to make the right choices. That’s been one of the most exciting things.
I'm looking forward to traveling to… I’ll go anywhere (laughs). I’m game for just about anything at this point. I’m going to Michigan to see my daughter for parents weekend, so I’m excited for that. Selfishly, and a little more grand, I can’t wait to go back to Japan. I always go to Japan and find amazing things that blow my mind. I remember four years ago I went to a fashion show during Tokyo Fashion Week, and what blew me away is that while in America we usually follow Europe, in Japan they don’t follow anybody. They’re there for the art.
If I could have a meal with anybody, anywhere, it would be…I’m obsessed with (singer) Benjamin Clementine right now—he’s so talented. (Danish restaurant) Noma was doing a pop-up here in N.Y., and it was the craziest but most delicious meal we’ve had. I loved everything I ate. It was a fun night and the wine, food, and champagne were amazing. Clementine also has amazing style that’s a bit more Broadway-esque, and a more proper way of singing that feels operatic. The combination is interesting and he recently made a cameo appearance in Dune.
The restaurant in my hometown that I love to take visitors to is… I’m from Iowa and my favorite place is High Life Lounge. They only serve beer that was created before 1980 or around that time. They don’t have any Coors Light or anything. The food is very easy comfort food like fried chicken and mashed potatoes. It’s real and they have shag carpet where you feel like you’re in your dad’s basement.
A passion of mine that few people know about is… cooking. I always liked it and never had the time, and now I cook meals 5-6 nights a week. I cook whatever the family feels like, but my favorite is that my wife got me doing a Sunday roast. I put in a roast, cook it for hours, and have it with a simple arugula, goat cheese, and pear salad, which I love. My wife used to work in London, so Sunday roast has a different tradition there—it’s eaten a bit earlier in the day, so we have an early dinner at home around 4 or 5 p.m. My daughter loves the Sunday roast. It could be beef or chicken, depending on where she’s at in her appetite swing. It’s probably 70% of the time a success with her, but it’s getting better.
This interview was edited for length and clarity.
There are few names as synonymous with modern American menswear as Todd Snyder.
An error has occurred, please try again later.
This article has been sent to
Copyright ©2021 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved
This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. Distribution and use of this material are governed by our Subscriber Agreement and by copyright law. For non-personal use or to order multiple copies, please contact Dow Jones Reprints at 1-800-843-0008 or visit www.djreprints.com.