Hidden in busy midtown Manhattan is a custom menswear oasis called Steed & Wall where you can sip a whiskey and get fitted for a stylish power suit at a great price point (starting at $625). The New York outpost of Steed & Wall (there’s also a location in Shanghai) cites English fashion designer Sir Hardy Amies as an inspiration: “A man should look as if he has bought his clothes with intelligence, put them on with care and then forgotten all about them.” Well said, Hardy. CEO and founder Mindy Ding, a Shanghai native who now lives in NYC, worked in finance at JP Morgan and Barclays before launching her ever-expanding custom men’s apparel business. I caught up with Mindy (…but not over whiskey shots!).
What inspired you to transition from finance to a made-to-measure men’s business?
While I was in finance, it made me realize how men dressed and that they didn’t take their personality and confidence into full effect while in business meetings or in the boardroom. It made me really step back and decide to create a made-to-measure custom suiting brand that would be able to give men more opportunities to show off their personalities and sense of creativity in a finance world.
Do you have your clothes made for you?
I do have some items made for me based on what I like and how I want to show off my personality.
Where did you come up with the name? What does it mean to you?
The word “Steed” comes from a definition of a young and energetic horse. Wall, not only comes from Wall Street, but means sturdy and strong, so when I put them together – they complimented each other well.
You have outposts in Shanghai and New York. Do you plan on opening Steed & Wall in other cities?
Yes. In the next year, I’d like to be in Washington D.C. and Chicago.
What makes a man truly well-dressed?
A man that is truly well-dressed is a man that is confident in what he is wearing, if I can help men with their wardrobe, then that’s a job well done! A well-dressed man will exude that confidence in the board room and during business meetings. Essentially, we believe that a well-dressed man will be more confident dressed in something he is comfortable in while in the boardroom.
