Fashionably fluent

Savvy businessman creates his own pattern for a custom-clothing enterprise

In the world of custom clothiers, there are few well-known icons. But Charlotte’s own celebrity clothing designer, William Wilson, certainly falls into that category. Instinctive and hugely successful, Wilson launched William Wilson Clothing in 2008. His company is an exercise in exclusivity; he accepts five new clients per month on a by-appointment-only basis, and these clients enjoy an experience that is unrivaled in the clothing industry.

Since Wilson launched his company, he’s become sought after by all manner of American “royalty.” His suits have been worn at the Oscar, Emmy and Grammy awards ceremonies. He designs champions’ jackets for the Coca-Cola 600, Bank of America 500 and other races. Among his clients are NFL players Al Wallace, Mackenzy Bernadeau, James Anderson and Domonique Johnson, as well as private businessmen.

Ironically, Wilson never harbored an interest in fashion. “I’m more passionate about business than I am clothes even today,” he admits.

Upon moving to Charlotte in 1998, he came to a quick realization: “I figured if I wanted to be a mover and shaker, I needed to meet some,” he says.

Running a construction company provided that opportunity. Wilson oversaw the building of 8,000-plus-square-foot custom homes, leaving plenty of time for golf – and boredom. He started dressing up and going to Charlotte Chamber meetings and the like, looking to meet the Queen City’s leaders. One of his construction clients noticed and asked for Wilson’s assistance with his clothing.

“I didn’t know fashion or warm and cool colors, but the guy said, ‘I’ve seen the way you’ve dressed for the past two months and I like it. I trust you,’” he recalls.

Shirts and trousers, yes; evening gowns, no

Photo taken by Tiona Fuller Photography William Wilson Clothing Showroom

That job became the springboard for future endeavors. “I kept meeting all these guys that wanted to look good but didn’t want to wear what everyone else was wearing,” he recalls. Still ambivalent about fashion, he initially priced his consultation services high, but clients didn’t blink and business grew. So Wilson went online and read everything he could about the suit industry and executive clothing, including custom shirts and trousers. “But if you want me to design an evening gown for you, you’re out of luck,” he says.

As for his upward trajectory, Wilson credits “sweat equity and meeting people.” In fact, after meeting Grammy nominee Calvin Richardson on “Fox News Rising,” Wilson received a phone call from Richardson with a rush request for an awards-show ensemble. Wilson had eight days to design and manufacture the R&B crooner’s suit, and he delivered – Richardson is among the “Best Dressed on the Red Carpet” montage on a CBS affiliate’s website, and he became a repeat client.

‘A text could change my entire today’

Today, Wilson employs not so much a staff as an infrastructure of people. He deals with his clients directly but contracts out media representation, videographers, alterations and more. He employs people in his boyhood state of Arkansas to do all the cutting and sewing, but he meets with clients all over the country. He drives to and, more often than not, flies to their homes. “A text could change my entire day,” he says, “and I can jump on a plane to Dallas for a client who wants to order some suits.”

Charlotte remains home base, however. Wilson runs his business (www.williamwilsonclothing.com) out of his new Morehead Street location, where people can place orders and come in for consultations. He’s not likely to relocate anytime soon. In researching Charlotte, Wilson discovered that it had more jobs than people and more women than men.

“Jobs and women? For a single brother? Come on now,” he says with a laugh.

Wilson claims he’s not a fashion guy but rather a style guy. “There is a difference,” he says. “Fashion is dictated by Madison Avenue and designed to keep you buying clothes every three months, whereas style is personal.”

Regarding his personal style, you’ll find Wilson in jeans and a T-shirt, or a suit; there is no in-between. He describes his look as “conservative chic” and favors a polished appearance. He goes for a little flair in his ties or shirts, but never lets one part of his ensemble overpower the other.

Philanthropy is one facet of his life where he wouldn’t mind overpowering others. His William Wilson Foundation raises money to fight domestic violence. As a child, he watched, helplessly, as his mother was subjected to domestic abuse.

“I want to do everything I can to keep other kids from having to feel that way. I can’t change the world, but maybe I can change somebody’s world,” he says.

“I want to help people,” he concludes. “We owe it to society to have a social contract whereby if we reach a point of success, we give back. Nobody gains success on their own.”