Loved it, wore it: The Gary Peer Suit Night takes place on an evening to remember
Jackets line the walls. Tailors, tape measures hung dutifully around their necks, flit around sizing people up. Rows of brilliant shirts and bold blazers compete for every inch of space. It’s business as usual for a prominent South Yarra suit store. The only difference? Tonight is a special night. An evening to celebrate the gentlemen of Gary Peer & Associates. To savour shirts, love lapels, and come together over collars and cuffs. Tonight, it’s Suit Night!
What is Suit Night?
The concept is as uncomplicated as it is unique.
Gary Peer’s male team members congregate, at 6pm, at a suit seller’s Chapel Street shop. There are free drinks, succulent snacks – and an even better twist.
By 7pm, every man in the room will walk away well fed and watered. But, most importantly, with a free suit – plus two shirts – to their name.
The brainchild of founders Phillip Kingston and Gary Peer, Suit Night is a way of honouring and rewarding the company’s men.
It follows August’s Shoe Night. Then, Gary Peer & Associates invited its women (around 100 on the night) to a local boutique shoe store. The evening had it all: champagne, conversation, and exquisite salmon pikelets. (And, of course, shoes!)
Each woman took home a pair of the latter, free. Tonight? It’s the men’s turn.
15 seconds to shine: Why first impressions are crucial
Like the Shoe Night, the Suit Night isn’t a widespread concept.
Uniting the company, across two evenings, every year – to hand out clothes and footwear?
Not bad. So why do Phillip and Gary do it?
“People assess you, and make a judgment call about you, within 15 seconds of seeing and talking to you,” says Phillip, cutting a typically debonair figure.
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“If you don’t take the way you dress seriously – particularly in real estate – you’re jeopardising your business and the results you can deliver for your clients.”
“It’s our job to make sure that our team members fly through that first 15 seconds. So they can dive deep into the meaningful stuff that comes next.”
Through this lens, the pinstripes are purely a pathway – to the person.
“The Suit Night is an opportunity for all our staff to dress better,” Phillip continues, “and therefore achieve better results. Without having to spend a fortune.”
Gary, smiling as he sips a drink, agrees.
“It all comes back to understanding the value of, and recognising, the incredible people we have here,” he adds. “If we can empower our team to feel better about themselves – and look better for our clients – it’s a win-win for everyone.”
The ties that bind: A tight-knit culture of friendship and family
Men mill around the room, caressing the fabrics on display. Salespeople rub shoulders with marketers; property managers chat with directors.
On a table in the centre of the room sits a box of ice-cold Peronis, flanked by plates of fresh antipasti. The room has the buzzing, jovial hum of laughter and banter.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity for us to dress up and improve our appearance,” says Leon Gouzenfiter, wandering over for a word. The Bentleigh Director is relaxed, happy.
“As much as we may not like to admit it, people do make judgments about how we look in those first few moments.
“So, if we can head into 2023 looking a bit sharper? A bit fresher? That’s only going to be good!”
Over by the fitting rooms, property managers Lachlan Hardiman and Robert Litinetsky stand admiring the clothes, and chatting with Leasing Consultant Robert Silverman.
“It’s absolutely magical,” beams Lachlan. “And so generous. To have close to 60 team members invited to pick a suit and two shirts – that’s something you’d never dream of a company doing for its staff.
“Then, to have a Christmas party three days later? It speaks for itself. Tonight is a testament to the culture here at Gary Peer, and to the tight-knit family we’ve created.”
Fine suits, finer speeches: A tribute to talent
Suits selected, the tinkling of fork on glass rings out. Ding, ding, ding. The room hushes.
“We absolutely appreciate how hard you all work,” Phillip says, addressing the crowd. “The commitment you make to your craft, your career, your profession, and to our brand.
“This is a gesture on our part. Raising the standard, while making you all look as dapper as you deserve!”
“Talking about fashion, and trends, and sizing, might not be my strongest suit,” Gary adds, smiling. “What is my strength – our strength – is recognising great talent.
“And great talent can always look better!”