Hunting Season

This week, the hunting season has been opened.
After several very interesting experiences with The Boston Trader, I must conclude it is a brand managed with a great deal of passion and dedication. Unfortunately, I must also conclude passion and management don't always match too harmoniously, and currently I shan't be finding myself on their payroll. Business simply wasn't "up" enough..
A shame indeed, as it would be a marvellous experience indeed. The team seems fun, knowledgeable and pleasant. The store a good place to learn.

While in The Hague, I discovered Inditex -the Spanish global textile company behind Zara and Bershka among other- is opening a new Massimo Dutti there. The up-brand version of Zara as it has been described to me on occasions, Massimo Dutti was founded as an independent company in 1985, and later became part of the Inditex universe. This soon to be branch was still heavily under construction last week.

Focussing on classy wear for the up-market segment, Massimo Dutti is certainly a lot more than simply a more expensive Zara. The products seem to be a bit more "down to earth", lacking the frivolities that sometimes quite aptly ruin Zara's designs, and feature far more attention to detail and fabric. The brand also provides sports-wear inspired apparel, based on mainly equestrianism and sailing/golf, albeit in a far more subtle way than, say, Ralph Lauran and its distinct prep-flavour.

After taking my knowledge of Inditex and Massimo out of the kiddy-pool and into the 2-feet deep last week, I went to the site to see if I might find a person of responsibility, and to my surprise, the shop had opened! Staff managed to inform me it had done so Friday last, which in itself has been an impressive feat.

Inside, I had a peak about and a chat with the (predominantly Spanish speaking) staff. The store looked good, with warm lighting and an intimate atmosphere. I had come here to find Paula Meesterburrie of Inditex NL (to whom applications should be directed according to the leaflet on the door last week), but she unfortunately wasn't there.

A few phone-calls later, I had discovered she also wasn't at the main office in Amsterdam, and generally a hard to track down woman if I might believe both the office and the staff in The Hague. I did manage to get hold of her mobile phone number, and had a chance to discover what her voice-mail sounds like.

Now, attentive readers might think: "why all this trouble? Doesn't she have an e-mail address?"

Well, naturally, she does. Moreover, a post and e-mail address were the only pieces of information initially provided. However, in this modern day and age, we seem to have made digital connections and the Social Media an almost absolute substitute for personal impressions. I am a great fan and value them greatly (which is why I feel at liberty to say this), but especially when looking for a job, I believe it to be key to actually see the person you're dealing with. That goes for both the potential employer, as the employee.

Sure, it's an extra effort. Sure some people might be put off by it even. But this is something that I want. It looks like a great company to work with, and I am willing to do what lies in my power to get a shot at doing so. I hope mevr. Meesterburrie will appreciate the effort, and I hope she'll be willing to give me 15 minutes of her time to make my case. And I trust someone in such a function will have the open mind to do just that.

So, today I will be venturing to try and "catch" Paula Meesterburrie of Inditex Nederland, and hopefully land me a job at Massimo Dutti. Should I fail to reach her, perhaps I will just send her my Curriculum and motivation (it's already waiting for the "send"-click), or leave a message on her voice-mail. I don't know what will happen, but can only hope for the best.

The Hunting Season is open.

The Boston Trader

The Boston Trader is a mid-class clothing retailer in The Hague, and one of my top picks as potential employers. Having opened its first store in 1985, TBT now has three stores and stock a label - R.B. Boston - which I am fairly certain is their own. They cater to both men and women, although the only establishment I am familiar with is the men's store, and judging from their elaborate website and newspaper(!), the men's department seems to be the main business.

Offering brands such as Armani and Paul Smith, there is a clear focus on the upper mid-segment of retail clothing, although The Boston Trader seems to offer both casual and more formal wear.

Having browsed the men's store and the website several times now, one of the things appealing to me is the mix of Anglo-Saxon heritage and Italian sprezzura. The collections seem to attempt a style with a potentially broad audience, and although often-times pieces are better an indication of what is attempted than actual execution, the idea seems to be there: slightly dandy and slightly brash clothing, with a wink to formal rules but enough playfulness to keep things personal and lively.

The house is also small enough (with three establishments and the house line) to be influenced by anyone on staff. It seemed as though every member of staff present had a personal connection, understanding and feeling with the items on offer, and all have probably contributed in one way or another to shaping the store they work in. This, of course, is exactly what every employee and employer should be looking for: a sense of ownership for everyone.

In times like this, however, I believe that the average is the bottom. Cheap survives because it is, well, cheap. But quality has a tendency to wither the tougher times too, as there are always people who want that little extra. And a little piece of (semi)perfection makes us all feel better and happy, especially in grimmer times.

The Boston Trader is above average, granted, but perhaps a little (extra) touch of special, quality and detail could make all the difference. Price-wise they could afford it, as branding adds a lot to price as well with their current stock.

So, perhaps stubborn little me might be able to contribute a bit. And if not, I feel there is plenty there to learn for me as well. Staff seems experienced and knowledgeable, and the atmosphere appeals to me. Who knows, I might even be able to learn a thing or two about women's clothing.

Tomorrow I'll apply, with my curriculum vitae and a cover-letter in the men's wear store, Plaats 3, The Hague. From then on it is in the hands of the high lords of Human Resources and lady Fortuna. I am exited, and anxious - let's see how far no formal experience can take me..

First, dinner plans tonight though. May Fortuna grant me her favour here too, as I am cooking out.

Exploring the Field -part 2

In the world of clothing there are many places to go that are eager to facilitate in the shopper's needs. Today I'd like to share my findings from the world of "retail houses".

As someone who does not regularly shop in the Netherlands for the more refined pieces - England, Italy and thrifting seem to far better cater to my needs (be it fit, quality, or price-quality comparison) - I must admit I felt a bit in unfamiliar waters when shopping around for places to apply.

Oger is a well-known house, considered by many to be the crème-de-la-crème of gentlemen's fine clothing in the country, but my occasional visit to the various premisses of Oger (pronounced Ogér, as in French) yielded me the impression that there was nothing to shop for.
Be it the staff's attire: consistently wearing their trousers at a length suggesting they stole them from the children's department to adequately show off their eternally mismatched shoes in preferably overly light cognac, to match the tasteless splash (or should I say torrent) of contrast-coloured stitching wherever possible, all suggesting a sort of peer-pressure invoked need to dress as foolish and loud as possible to "demonstrate" a sense of style and fashion. Not to mention their attitude towards customers being equally clownish and snobbish. No the "gentlemen" of Oger still have much to learn concerning manners, be it in dress or behaviour.
Granted, their knowledge of sartorial affairs is well above that of the average punter, and the collections contain many a desirable piece (frankly excluding most of Oger's own line), but it still is nothing compared to the better houses in Great Britain and Italy, and the premium paid on the prices makes it almost worthwhile to shop abroad for that reason too.

However, I digress. There were several maisons I'd be happy to apply to, though non where I found a vacancy. A trip down memory lane (and my closet) brought a very specific shop to my attention: The Boston Trader. Although I must admit that over a third of their stock is a bit to scruffy of flashy for my personal taste and the name's appalling, I have bought two of my first suits here - a dark-grey herringbone and a beige and grey glen-check with a mid-blue over-check - and I usually am pleased by the displays in their windows.
I also see potential at The Boston Trader, both for me, and the store. So much so, I've decided to move it to my top-pick for now, and will write on it more elaborately in a separate post.

My last two picks are Eduard Pelger, a 150 year old Dutch establishment selling brands such as Church shoes, and Borelli ties and shirts, that I was previously unacquainted with, and Maison de Bonneterie, which does have several openings for sales staff.

After the weekend I shall start the open applications and applying to the aforementioned vacancies. I'm curious (and sceptical) to see how things will turn out.

Meanwhile, I've started sketching, and (re)discoverd I have no drawing-skills whatsoever..

Exploring the Field -part 1

Yesterday I've been scouting for potential employers. As my knowledge of the the sartorial world is mainly limited to my personal experiences, I would hope to find somewhere to work in the field and learn a bit more - about sizing, preferences and perhaps salesmanship - before embarking on the adventure of trying to set up my own lines. Perhaps this will also provide a source of inspiration, and help me decide on details concerning the target-group.

Looking for a job in a clothing-shop is not as easy as it might sound. First of all, there is the type of establishment to consider: are we thinking H&M and Zara, or more Maison de Bonneterie (the Dutch parody of Harrods), Society Shop and Oger? Secondly, I need to ask myself what kind of job I am looking for.

I do not envy doing naught but selling things I feel no connection to, so that quickly excludes salesman in a large retail-chain. But obviously there are other things to be done in such shops too, and quickly reminding myself of my position and scratching out all the manager-positions, I came across the interestingly worded position of "Visual Merchandiser" at Hennes & Maurits in Amsterdam. Although I'm no lover of H&M, I do consider it a coal-mine with many diamonds, and displaying the wares might just be what I'm looking for. Zara is also looking for a "Shop Assistant" (which seems to be a sort of Assistant Management function) in Utrecht, and has many interesting aspects to it too.

Both positions also require the applicant to be adapt in training other members of staff and leading smaller teams for certain projects - something that is a bit more in my "familiar-zone".

Fascinatingly enough, H&M says to be unimpressed by diploma's, and ZARA doesn't require anything but a full-time commitment and fluent English and Dutch (though 2 years of experience in dealing with teams is appreciated).

Two international chains with seemingly accessible criteria - worth the consideration at least. Next post on the other side of the spectrum, before too big a decision is made.

The Age of Humbleness is Upon Us

Goodmorning,

My name is Roshan de Jong, and I will be the author of this blog.

Sitting in the warm light of my home in Holland in the metropolis of Delft, I feel a sense of anxiety befalling me. Not before have I publicly shared my thoughts and travels like I aim to do now, and the lack of privacy (or obscurity even) would almost make me tremble.

Telling my life's history is not the aim of this collection of articles, so suffices to say I've had many an adventure in many a European nation. As a member of the European Youth Parliament I've worked with and lead Multicultural teams in almost a dozen countries, and it has been a major provider in my lust for travel. I've also worked as a professional Chef (Mediterranean), a blue moon in Sales & Marketing, and thought I wanted to be a Human Resource Strategy Consultant since 2010. When things were getting good, I discovered: I was wrong.
Diversity is one of my passions, and fortes. With a bold streak and many qualities have I been blessed, but humbleness was never one of them.

Late October 2010 I got a taste of this new flavour, and I changed my life path. There were many circumstances (and certain individuals) to thank, but I realised I was not following my passion or my competencies well enough.

This blog is to tale my journey of setting up a sartorial brand, and learning of humbleness and being a better person along the way.

The journey starts, by looking for a new job.