Many thanks to Robert Squillaro of J. Press (well, for many things but also) for bringing this to my attention.
It is 1986, I got a job at an ad agency, NW AYER. Group Assistant. Because I could type fast. I was scared silly but wanted to make a good impression. Owned NO grown up ties.
Walk into Brooks not because I knew it was a thing but because of those windows. Remember those windows? I thought, “THESE people know how people should dress.” I decide to buy an entire wardrobe there.
Until I flip over a tie on that first table that you had to walk around. And see the price tag.
Mr. Davis must have seen my look, because he walked over and instead of asking, “Can I help you?” he asked, “Are you alright?” I told him I needed a work outfit but couldn’t afford it. He asked me what I had already. I had a shirt, gray pants, and a navy blazer. He said, “You don’t need an outfit, you need a tie.”
He took, I dunno, 15 minutes with me to pick out a repp tie (start of a love affair) and when I bought it he wrapped it and boxed it and I had never even seen anything like that before. That was my first lesson in Ivy, and it has stuck with me ever since.
Dignity.
Now, Mr. Davis needs our help. From the Go Fund Me:
I am Russell Jones cousin of Thomas Davis who I call Tom is the greatest man I know. He is a Army veteran who worked at Brooks Brothers for 49 years was the face of made to order and he is still on their website. He has supported throughout these years his mother, sister who has MS Multiple Sclerosis which has gotten progressive worse. He also helped other members of his family. His mother passed and he is still taking care of his sister without much assistance and limited income which came from his job but no longer has while living in NYC. He has paid for nurses aides for his family and a lot of this money has come from his retirement and savings and his money is running out. The expenses are overwhelming and is almost to the point of losing his home and the ability to care for his sister. Please help my cousin who has lived most of his life helping his family without having one of his own. God bless u for ur donation it will be used to help a man that desperately needs it.
Here is the link. Do the right thing if you can.
Thank you for posting this. Tom Davis is a true gentleman. He sold me a number of shirts when he headed up the custom shirt operation at Madison and 44th, some of which I still wear after 20+ years. Always kind, soft-spoken and, as you would expect, wearing the best clothes. Please give if you are able.
Done.
Kind Regards,
H-U
Glad the word is getting out about this. I worked with Tom a J.Press, he’s a lovely man. His sister has been so blessed to have him look after her.
I never had the privilege of meeting Mr. Davis but have read many stories about him. He sounds like a man of great character which is sorely needed in today’s world and I happily donated.
He needs to see an elder law attorney or a medicaid specialist to try to put his sister on medicaid which can help with the expenses. Good luck.
Could it be that she is already on Medicaid or Medicare but has big bills for care the government doesn’t cover? I know that many longtime MS patients need a lot of home health care that the government might not cover. A friend of mine that is fighting cancer recently ran into this. He has coverage at the rehab hospital but no no Part B for at home.
Your friend probably has medicare, not medicaid. Medicaid is for people who are indigent and usually covers home health care. Generally, to qualify for medicaid the applicant must be indigent. The situation here seems to suggest Mr. Davis’ sister may qualify for medicaid. It’s best to seek legal advice from an elder law attorney or medicaid expert.
Mr. Davis, Tom, has been featured here at IVY STYLE a couple of times. I’ve not had the pleasure of meeting Tom. I believe CC said Tom was the head of the whole MTM shirt program, not only the Madison store.
During Tom’s tenure, the date on the tags is 2013, I went to a local BB store and had three made up, two OCBDs, one broadcloth, in various blue stripes on white, unavailable ready-to-wear. One OCBD is in a light blue mattress ticking stripe, one is a navy and sky blue alternating triple stripe, and the broadcloth is in a sky blue and navy double pin stripe. Made in Garland, NC. I like them a lot. I wear them after work, sans tie now (I think I shrunk them) with a blue blazer, sometimes with Levi’s, sometimes with khakis. I would buy more if Tom were still running the show. Let’s help him out.
It seems I misremembered Tom’s role in the MTM shirt program. I thought he had held a more corporate, supervisory, training, marketing and management role, and a less local position. Sorry about that C’ville.
Not at all, Hardbopper. Tom may well have had a larger role in addition to his work on the sales floor at 44th & Mad. He was certainly a big presence with Brooks for many years. I have one of his business cards that notes his starting date in (as I recall) 1966.
Very pleased to see this on this site. I don’t know Mr. Davis personally, but I know some of you who know him, which is enough for me. Let’s help him.
All the best to all of you for this new year from Paris.
Tom Davis and Brooks in their mutual heydays are forever inseparable. So happy to contribute to this finest of men’s well-being.
Thank you for this.
You are very welcome sir.
Forgot to mention that there is also a nice covering about Tom Davis in the “True Prep” book from Lisa Birnbach. He is there right next to Thom Browne on page 114.
Bonne journée
René