Tailor-Made Confidence
When Lauren Warkentine decided to leave the pharmacy software industry and begin working toward becoming a tailor of men's and women's suits, she didn’t know part of her job description would be a psychologist.
At least that is what it has felt like during the past five years for the founder and CEO of William & Lauren as she has tried to spread the word throughout Oklahoma City that custom suits are for everybody. “We provide custom clothing. But it’s really more about the confidence that comes with it and the accessibility of custom," Warkentine said. "We’re trying to change the mindset. I think when people hear custom, they think ‘that’s not for me.’ That it’s unattainable. So we are really trying to change the mindset that custom should be for more people. It shouldn’t be unattainable.”
Warkentine created William & Lauren in 2015 after discovering just how much a good suit can improve a person’s level of confidence.
“I was working in pharmacy software. I was in a very male-dominated industry. I was one of the only females, and I was very young. I didn’t fit in the mold of the world I was working in,” Warkentine said. “But I noticed a difference when I wore the clothes I looked good in. The person I brought to the table was better. When I didn’t have clothes I felt confident in, I was not as confident in a meeting. Or I was a little more distracted. Especially with suits for women, I would feel like I was in a costume. I was a little more hesitant to speak up. I just wasn’t bringing my best self to the table.” What surprised Warkentine even more was that her male co-workers had the same feelings of doubt and lack of confidence. That's when the wheels started turning for her.
For four years, Warkentine worked part-time building up William & Lauren (WilliamandLauren.com). Then in April 2019, she made it her full-time occupation. For now, William & Lauren’s base office is set up at The Treasury working space in downtown Oklahoma City. Customers can meet with Warkentine there to talk over what type of suits or separates they are looking to buy. But that is when Warkentine sometimes has to turn from tailor to psychologist for clients who may have never owned a suit or may be hesitant to express their true selves.
“Basically they style the suit with my help,” Warkentine said. “I say my help, but for some guys I pick most everything. For the most part, I really try to pull out of them ‘what do you like?’ Because some guys will come in here really timid, saying 'I don’t wear suits often,' and they’re kind of nervous. I try to pull it out of them so by the end of the appointment, they are telling me what they want. It’s fun to see that progression.” Warkentine says it normally takes three to four weeks for the suits to get back after measurements are taken. Currently, William & Lauren only provide suits and separates for men, but Warkentine is planning to begin service for women in 2020.
"In five years I see us providing suits for men and women across the nation. But more than that, to me, the brand is about changing the narrative for people to help them become confident in themselves,” Warkentine said. “Confidence is the core, but it also comes down to people willing to take risks. People willing to have tough conversations. Just having the confidence to be seen. Ultimately, if we’re successful, that’s what we’re doing. Bringing personality back into clothes and empowering people.”