Studio Nova

MEN’S FASHION HAS CHANGED THROUGHOUT THE YEARS THANKS TO CLOTHING STORES THAT PROVIDE MEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLORE VARIOUS FASHION TRENDS. STUDIO NOVA IS A MEN’S CLOTHING STORE OWNED BY NEWTON FRAZIER AND FOR 41 YEARS HE’S BEEN SELLING MEN’S SUITS, SWEATERS, HATS, SHOES AND MORE.

Frazier opened Studio Nova in Northland Mall in 1982. After purchasing a home in Oak Park for his family in 1989, he moved the store to Oak Park to be closer to home.

Frazier is no stranger to men’s fashion. His first job was at J.L. Hudson Department Store in downtown Detroit. “The gentleman who hired me still visits me. We’ve been friends since I was 17 years old.” Frazier said. Studio Nova’s items are handpicked by Frazier because he knows exactly what his customers are looking for. “I can’t rely on others to do it because I know my customer base. I know what they want, I know what they like.” Frazier said. He also gets fashion ideas from his son who lives in New York. “He’ll send me pictures of something and say ‘Dad, what do you think of this?’”

STUDIO NOVA CARRIES CLOTHES FROM LARGE TO 3X. Frazier keeps a stock of essential items for all occasions; including suits for proms, funerals, and other important events. As a fashion connoisseur himself, Frazier knows men’s fashion.

“At one time, when I was a younger man, I was out there too. So I know what they like. I know what women like to see men in.”

FRAZIER DESCRIBES HIMSELF AS A MEEK SALESMAN that doesn’t push customers to purchase items. Instead he assists men with finding clothing for now and in the future. He especially tries to educate young men on the importance of expanding their style.

“I start out trying to get young men to buy black suits and come out of your blue jeans. Some days you’ll have an unexpected problem; funeral, glad occasion or sad occasion you need a black suit. All you have to do is change the accessories.”

Frazier believes in providing great customer service to keep repeat customers. Many of his customers he knows by name; including the wives that come to shop for their husbands. After being in business for several decades, Frazier still has some of the same customers from when he first opened. “Being here for 35 years some of my very first customers that shopped with me continue to do so. I bought a lot of customers from Northland.”

WHEN FRAZIER FIRST OPENED STUDIO NOVA, he participated in many fashion shows – including Hump the Grinder’s Hair Wars Show – to build his business. “It was a necessary thing to do to get your name out there. I would dress the models and things of that nature.” At the time Studio Nova sold both men and women’s clothing, but now it’s exclusive to selling men’s clothing.

In addition to owning Studio Nova Frazier owns Mr. Biggs, a big-and-tall store for men next door to Studio Nova. “It’s for bigger men. Some things I carry over here are not available in the sizes they need over there. So I cater to the sizes that I can get for the larger men.” Sizes in Mr. Biggs’ clothing ranges from 3x to 5x.

Frazier also owned a salon and other stores in the shopping strip. However, after having a stroke he slowed down and closed some of the stores. “As time gets bad or help gets bad you have to close, take the loss, and let it go. It’s tough.”

Being a business owner is not for the faint. Frazier credits his family for supporting him and his businesses throughout the years.

Visit Studio Nova at 22153 Coolidge Hwy. in Oak Park or call the store at 248-547-3794. Studio Nova business hours: Monday thru Saturday - 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sunday - Closed.