by Bailey White
Staff Writer
Timothy Rose has opened The Rose Agency, a personal image consulting firm and custom clothier, at 205 N. Laura St. in the Elks Building.
Rose moved his eight month-old business from the Landing, and though he’ll be working on the space for the next couple of months, he’s already set up his office and is with meeting clients at his new headquarters.
“I cater to men and women on the cutting edge,” Rose said. “My clients are professionals concerned about their business image.”
Rose works with his clients on etiquette, body language and wardrobe — he even goes to his customers’ homes to assess their closets.
Then a client may opt for a custom made shirt or suit that Rose offers, browsing through stacks of sample fabric books and rows of brightly colored ties, perhaps choosing to have monograms on the shirt sleeves or a passport pocket on the inside of his (or her) jacket.
According to Rose, custom clothes are surprisingly affordable.
“This is a firm that caters to everyone regardless of social or economic backgrounds,” he said. “I work with someone on their budget options and I have suits that start at $270.”
He makes sure his customers can make an informed decision on the many choices they have.
“Education is very important,” said Rose. “I want my customers to understand the fabric they choose and know how to maintain it.”
He also carries accessories: Italian and French shoes and one-of-a-kind ties and handbags.
Rose’s background is in corporate human resources — he has a master’s degree and worked in human resources for 12 years.
“I understand the culture and makeup of the organizations my clients work in,” he said. “I know how they need to look. And I understand retail after 25 years experience. It’s a passion of mine. Eventually, I’d like to go back to school and get my Ph.D in industrial psychiatry.”
In the meantime, he has big plans for The Rose Agency.
“I still have work to do here; the work has been a little more time consuming than I originally anticipated,” he said, adding that he’s planning a grand opening in September. “The ultimate goal is to expand and to one day have a day spa, too.”