So, Steve, how did you become such a snob?

That is a very tongue in cheek name. It was the mid 00’s when everyone was participating on Forums, and no one was there under their real name. It slowly evolved to become “The Snob Report” with my Tumblr page, which grew into the Instagram account by the same name.

Can you describe the idea of a snob to me?

In a way it is about setting high standards for yourself. For me, the social images is about putting yourself out there and treating it as a creative outlet. It is not about buying the most expensive, but buying that piece that you look comfortable in, fits you perfectly and it will lift your self-esteem so people will start to notice in a positive way.

The same counts for all your interests, if it’s the arts, music, culinary, books, etc. Dive in, read, listen, eat, drink, go to concerts, see shows, visit museums, art fairs, explore, travel… Everything you do informs your unique sense of style.

You grew up in Belgium, right? You’ve travelled a lot since then. What were some of the formative highlights?

Indeed, born and raised in Antwerp, Belgium. My parents loved to travel, hardly 3 weeks old and we were already on the road somewhere. I set my first steps on a beach in Spain and never turned back.

I learned a lot about myself when traveling solo. In my twenties I backpacked a lot for longer periods, and you see amazing sights and places, meet the most interesting people, eat the strangest foods and you learn so much about other cultures and eventually also about yourself.

After graduating from university, I backpacked around Australia for 4 months. Did similar one-month long trips around Greece, Mexico, Mali, and Tanzania to name a few.

Career Change — You’ve worked in sales & marketing, how and why did you make that transition?

After working corporate jobs for 23 years, I needed a break and gave myself a sabbatical. Travelled a bit, stranded in New York. Knew I still wanted to work in sales and marketing but not for a big company, something smaller, maybe a family business. So, after becoming friends with an Australian based New York tailoring house and their crew, they hired me, trained me and after 6 months let me see my own clients. I learned a new set of skills and loved it. Three years in, Cad & The Dandy came knocking on my door and the rest is history. Never be afraid of change, embrace it. I believe everyone needs to reinvent themselves at least 2 to 3 times in their lifespan.

Clothing — What is it about clothes? How are you dressing and why?

We need to dress daily, so why not make an effort? I grew up going to an all-boys college wearing a uniform for 12 years. Blue blazer, navy shorts (Spring-Summer) or long grey trousers (Fall-Winter), white or light blue shirt, a navy tie and proper leather footwear. It is still to date my favourite outfit, a no brainer for gentlemen, a blazer and grey slacks always work.

Working in a corporate environment in the 90s-00s and early 10s required dressing in a suit, shirt and tie when one was client facing. It showed respect and professionalism, and you looked good no matter what situation you found yourself in.

What is it that you do at Cad? What is your vision for clothing now that you’re with them?

I’m the Managing Director USA at Cad & The Dandy. I am responsible for the New York Penthouse, trunk shows and staff as well as growing the business on this side of The Atlantic. Later this Fall, we are opening our new ready to wear shop to complement our bespoke business.

Working at C&TD, dealing with pattern makers, cutters and tailors daily and having visited spinners, mills and cloth finishers, you realize that you are sustaining a whole community of amazing artisans. It literally includes hundreds of people who are involved in making that one suit for that one client. It’s eye-opening. So, nothing but respect for everyone involved.

On the client side, it is starting from scratch with every new client walking through our doors, creating the best suit for each individual’s needs and dreams and giving them an impeccable service every time they are leaving the real world behind and finding themselves at one of our stores. Don’t forget that they are coming to see us, to look and feel better about themselves!

What gets you interested about shirting fabrics? Do you have go-to favourites?

You have the suit, the jacket and trousers, what comes next is the shirt. It is one of the building blocks of a wardrobe and just like shoes it can make or break an outfit, so it better be good. And that’s why we turn to Thomas Mason for impeccable quality, colours and textures that work with any outfit.

I personally love the Oxford cloth bunch to pair with sports-coats, you always find that perfect combo. I also really look forward to the season bunch at the beginning of the Spring/Summer season and Fall/Winter season and look for options to integrate these new fabrics into client’s wardrobes, as a shirt is an easy addition to upgrade one’s style.

How would you describe New York from a menswear and cultural perspective?

It’s the perfect city and in my humble opinion the best city in the world. Because it is one of the most diverse cities that reflects the variety and the experimentation of all different expressions of modern menswear from Wall Street to Street Style, every range of style can thrive here.

If we want to become snobs too, what would you recommend? Any wise words, a reading or listening list?

OMG too many to mention, where does one even start for a city like New York. It is one of the great art capitals in the world. We are so lucky to live here and have access to the best museums, concert halls, theaters, jazz bars, cabaret venues and comedy cellars.

Favorite museum? The Neue Galerie, an intimate museum dedicated to early 20th century German and Austrian art and design located in a beautiful mansion on the famed 5th Avenue Museum mile. They organize twice a year interesting exhibitions that are all must sees.

Reading list. Next three books on my reading pile are A Royal Life by HRH The Duke of Kent, Sweet Dreams: The Story of the New Romantics by Dylan Jones and Alkibiades by Ilja Leonard Pfeijffer.

And for music tune in to “The Snob Report Radio” on Spotify. Over 290 unique playlists at the moment and trying to make it 365, one for every day of the year.

Sample the warm atmosphere of the shop for yourself at 130 W 57th Street, between 6th and 7th Ave.

Follow Steve on Instagram: @thesnobreport

Photography by Elliot Hammer