Ben Tobar walked into A.K. Rikk's at 19 years old and walked out with a Hugo Boss suit he had no business owning. Twenty years later, he is one of the most influential figures on our team — a buyer, mentor, and the kind of fashion voice you only develop by doing this for half your life. As part of our Behind the Seams series, we sat down with Ben to reflect on taste, travel, a State of Emergency in New York City, and what 20 years in luxury menswear actually teaches you.

What initially drew you to A.K. Rikk's?

I had heard that there was this great store in Grand Rapids
that if you really enjoyed fashion, that was the place to shop. I was 19 and I
was able to go in during one of their sales and was convinced into buying a
Hugo Boss suit which I had no business needing or owning at 19 years old. It
felt like such a posh environment and it was really my first exposure to a
luxury experience and I had a lot of fun!

Did you go to school for fashion/hold a degree or did you just come by it naturally?

I never studied fashion in school, however an Industrial Design and Art History degree gave me the tools and the eye for detail, appreciation for design and quality and a desire to surround myself with beautiful things. Additionally, my true education has come through working with different people every day and learning how to listen and have empathy for the goals they are trying to accomplish in their lives and that's inspired me throughout my career.

What is your favorite brand at A.K. Rikk's?

I love all of the brands for different reasons but from a standpoint of how I want to feel when I get up in the morning I am really drawn to Brunello Cucinelli and Barena in my daily life. When I want to go out and get fancy and have a good time–Isaia is it. When I have a big meeting and I need to be serious, I choose ZEGNA. I've always felt a little preppy so Ralph Lauren is always a great go-to.

What was your first fashionable memory or a memory that stuck with you and formed your opinion of or love for all things style, design and fashion?

As a young man I realized early on that dressing above average or better than anyone else boosted my confidence, therefore it gave me more opportunities, opened doors, made introductions, got me tables I wouldn't have maybe otherwise gotten and set me apart from others around me. So I leaned into that and kept pushing the envelope.

Fashion is always evolving but what essentially stays the same?

At the risk of sounding like a snob, the statement of "fashion is always changing" is true but the constant is taste. I think it takes a long time to recognize it, develop it and communicate it.

Where do you find fashion inspiration?

I think my number one inspiring moment that happens in my career in fashion is when I am visiting one of the fashion capitals (Paris or Milan) and in walking the streets I pass by a little couple that you can tell have dressed well their entire lives and they are decked out head-to-toe and it's a Sunday afternoon and they are probably just walking home from lunch. You can tell they are enjoying their lives, full bellies, happy hearts and their clothes fit impeccably and they are just taking in the city.

Which types of clothes do you collect and why?

I think over the last few years–because I have worked in this industry for so long, the "big stuff" is taken care of (overcoats, suits, sportcoats and leather jackets). Now I am having more fun with my shoes and accessories and silk scarves and jewelry, belts and things that finish an outfit as opposed to the basics that are the foundation of an outfit. Now it's truly about collecting!

How do you get out of the I-don't-have-anything-to-wear rut?

We have plenty to wear. You get that from clothes that don't fit well or aren't inspiring or you just don't have the right clothes for the given situation. There is probably a bigger issue in someone's life when their internal dialogue goes there.

What's your favorite item to wear every day?

It would be my shoes and my watch. Those are the two things that make me feel like my outfit is finished. Those things are the punctuation at the end of a sentence.

Are you reading anything or listening to any music or any podcasts right now?

I am reading Walter Isaacson's Biography of da Vinci. I am inspired by da Vinci's impact on creativity and bringing Europe out of the Middle Ages and his impact on the modernity of Milan. Also, every night I read Each Peach Pear Plum to my daughter. The word count isn't as long but the critics give it high marks.

If you weren't working at the store, what do you think you'd be doing?

I would be putzing around trying to add value at a vineyard in Sonoma or Burgundy.

What do you do to recharge?

Walking around our yard at home. Putting things in order. Trimming the trees.

When someone says 20 years to you… What is the first word or feeling that comes to mind?

Smoke… It goes by so fast. In my head I am still that 21 year old who is eager to do and learn everything and put his mark on everything. 20 years–it's really just a moment.

"Smoke… It goes by so fast. 20 years — it's really just a moment."

What's the one trait you consider essential to your success?

I think it's the ability to grasp a wide variety of experiences in order to show someone that I understand what they are trying to accomplish or what their goals are. By 20 years you have helped so many people, you've been a part of so many job interviews, weddings, special occasions, first dates, pain, hunger, loss, celebration–you name it. Through all that experience you identify the one thing that will allow someone to feel heard. When someone feels heard, the world opens up.

What's the one thing you wish you'd learned earlier in your career?

It's what you do in the "off-hours" that make your career.
Words of advice for anyone thinking of throwing their hat into the world of fashion?
Don't take things too seriously. Do it as long as you are still having fun. And wherever you are, work harder than everybody else.

Favorite buying trip?

The one that stands out to me the most was a trip to New York. There was a snowstorm and they called in the National Guard and called a State of Emergency and installed a curfew. No one could drive their cars in the city. All flights were grounded and we had to sleep in a showroom because every hotel in the city was booked (thanks Eidos). Jim Shay, the President of Isaia, wanted to make sure we were taken care of and got us into an amazing Italian restaurant by the park. The staff had to sleep there because they couldn't get over the bridge to get home. After having one of the best Italian meals of my life and staying there until 3am, Jim somehow arranged for transport to our sleeping arrangements via two black Escalades. It was surreal driving totally alone down 5th Avenue with not a person in sight in the middle of a blizzard.

Favorite in-store event?

The 30th anniversary party. It was a really special time in the business. It was awesome to celebrate with our owner Rick Gaby and his family and I was really just proud to be able to show Rick how many people in the community care about what he has chosen to build here in Grand Rapids.

You've walked through that door a million times. What still gets you excited about your job? What lifts you up to keep doing what you do?

I think the people I get to work with (not only our amazing clients but our vendors, my colleagues and our owner Rick). People are what led me to this career and are my driving force.

Can you name a moment when you really felt like you were changing lives in your job?

A fun moment is when a lifelong friend came in and announced that he needed an outfit because he was heading out to try and meet the right girl and future wife. Two days later we found out that he met the love of his life. They are still together, have a family (I go to his Christmas party every holiday season) and it warms my heart to know that I had a small part in that.

We all know what we have to do in our jobs but what is something you really feel you get to do that excites you?

I think helping prepare our buy for the future and building the strategies around it and working with Rick on what's next for A.K. Rikk's is what gives me energy and momentum. It's so fun to be a part of a growing business in an equally growing city and to be able to have an impact on my community.

How has A.K. Rikk's shaped your life?

I've spent half my life doing this. It's blessed my life with being able to surround myself with some of the most amazing people. I've met my wife through A.K., lifelong friends, amazing mentors and chosen family.

What excites you most about the future of this industry?

I think we have a unique opportunity right now with the recession of department stores and the unique challenges of e-commerce in the luxury sector. I'm excited to be able to educate a new generation of A.K. Rikk's clients in how proper service should be delivered and to be able to build the dream of what a fun shopping experience should look like.

Thank you, Ben — here's to the next 20. Explore more of our Behind the Seams team features, or stop in the store to meet Ben and the rest of the A.K. Rikk's team.