Interview · Fall/Winter 2026
The Accidental Retailer
By Robert Mazzucchelli · Interview
Robert Mazzucchelli sat down with menswear retailer Marc Streisand, owner of Marc Allen in Providence, Rhode Island, to talk about his path into helping men look and feel great — the experience of shopping, where suits are headed, and what actually makes a product great.
How did you get into the clothing business?
True story. I was a freshman in high school in 1982, all of 4'11". I played on the baseball team and felt a lot bigger than I was, so I asked out a girl I liked. Her answer made it pretty clear I was too short for her taste. Right then, I decided I needed to “dress bigger.” Personal style became my thing from that point on. Funny enough, I grew five inches that year, so the short phase didn't last — but it taught me something that stuck: how you dress shapes how people see you.
Was clothing your first job?
No. I sold commercial printing, and I wasn't passionate about it — it was just a job. But while I was doing it, I noticed how much clothing shaped the way people were perceived. The old adage held up: clothes made the man, at least in most people's eyes. I also learned that how you look changes how you feel about yourself. I came to believe that if you look the part, you can be the part.
The moment that really crystallized it for me: I was sitting in a seminar, and the speaker had this incredibly powerful voice. But when I looked up at him, I lost my train of thought — his outside just didn't match that voice. I remember thinking, wouldn't it be something if this guy's outside matched his inner strength? I mentioned it to a colleague, and he said, “Turn him inside out.” That one line was the spark — it's what got me to start InsideOut Image Consulting and, eventually, walk away from the printing job. I wanted to help people feel great about themselves — that was something I was genuinely passionate about. I became a personal clothier in New York City, working as an advisor and curator for men. I loved it. I never set out to be a retailer.
How did the transition to retail happen?
After 9/11, I took an apprenticeship to go deeper on how the clothing I was recommending was actually made. I wanted to understand real tailoring and proper fit — not trends, but personal style and construction that stands the test of time. During that apprenticeship, I heard Briggs was for sale in Providence. I had zero ties to Rhode Island, but I liked the store and the feel of the market, so I took the plunge, bought it, and moved. That's how I became a retailer.
Was it a hard transition?
Let's just say I got more than I bargained for. But I worked through it, renamed the store Marc Allen after two years, and started building what we have today. We started out selling work clothing and suit-and-shirt packages — pretty basic stuff. As I learned more about my customers and the product, especially Italian product, we evolved into a much more complete resource for men. It's been a hell of a journey.
What are your favorite Italian brands right now?
Stile Latino, Sartoria, Fioroni, Marco Pescarolo, and 100Hands — which is actually Dutch/Indian, not Italian, but I love it anyway.
Are suits making a comeback?
Depends on demographics and geography. My store is near the courthouse, so we've always moved a fair number of suits. But I'm seeing an uptick in guys buying suits for occasions — big meetings, big events, moments where they want a powerful presence. Younger guys, especially, are getting real pleasure out of wearing a suit — not as a uniform, but as a statement. I don't know if the workplace ever goes back to suits every day like it used to be, but the suit is far from dead. Right now, it's growing.
How do you judge a product as great — great enough to sell at Marc Allen?
I look for quality of fabric, construction, attention to detail. I visit the mills where the fabric is made and the factories where it's cut and tailored. I want elegant, sophisticated product that isn't trying too hard. But I'm also looking for story and provenance — where it's made, whether I like the people behind it, and whether I can see a long-term partnership if I bring them into my store. I want a collaborative relationship on how we present product to customers, not a brand dictating how to sell in my own shop.
Where is retailing headed?
AI isn't taking our jobs — specialty retail is a good place to be right now. At Marc Allen, we set out to be a “good hang.” That means we don't just want people to come in and shop. We want them to come in for a social experience — an espresso, a glass of wine, real conversation. As technology and AI pull people further from human experience, we want to be the place people come for human connection. That's the role I think retail plays more and more going forward, and it's why I'm bullish on its future.
“As technology and AI pull people further from human experience, we want to be the place people come for human connection.”
What's next for Marc Streisand?
I don't plan on retiring anytime soon, but at some point I'd like to pull back from day-to-day retail operations and focus on a few projects that let me give back. I want to teach again. I'm building a mentorship program to help young people figure out their futures. I'm also working with the state on a tailoring school. Hand tailoring is one of those arts that can die out fast if we let it, and getting young people into the trade matters — critically. It's also a great job technology will never replace.