the bullpen
What makes a
Style expert?
You trust them to know sartorial trends and what looks best on you. Find out how M PENNER’s gurus got to be so gosh darn good at making you look great.
Butch Layne
Belinda Hillhouse
Cody Sever
Stephen Skoda
Whitney Wiggins
Chris Patton’s love of clothing and styling hails back to his college days at the University of Oklahoma. The Oklahoma City native worked at Strickland Clothier and soon discovered men’s fashion and retail were in his blood. Chris worked as a manager and buyer for Strickland, honing his skills and his sartorial eye. That first job in Oklahoma City led to opportunities at upscale stores across the United States and eventually, M PENNER. Chris believes camaraderie and professionalism blend at M PENNER to create a “family experience” that further fuels his passion for men’s fashion and retail. Chris is an avid sports fan, who can chat about last night’s game just as easily as pulling together a look. He balances his enjoyment of great restaurants with a dedication to hot yoga, and counts Pappas Bros. Steakhouse and Truluck’s as two of his favorite Houston restaurants.
Butch Layne jokes he’s only working at M PENNER temporarily, but with 30 years of men’s fashion and retail experience under his handmade leather belt, he’s a permanent fixture at the store. Born in Oklahoma City, Butch did what most transplanted Houstonians do and got to Texas as soon as he could. Men’s retail wasn’t always on his career radar, but after falling into the industry, it simply took him over—and he’s never looked back. On the days Butch isn’t at M PENNER, you can find him on a golf course, perfecting his swing. A confessed golfaholic, Butch says he’s consumed with the sport and has an arsenal of stories of golfing adventures to prove it.
Native Texan Belinda Hillhouse has dressed generations of Houston families, drawing on her life-long love of fashion, art and design. Born in Sealy, Belinda started young, styling the members of her family as a child, choosing everything from suits to socks. She furthered that passion as an art major at Sam Houston State and McMurry College, bringing her talents to M PENNER in 1993, where she relies on her ability to use color, pattern and vision for her clients’ custom orders and wardrobing. Outside of M PENNER, Belinda is just as busy, engaging in painting and abstract art. When not in the art studio, you can find her in the kitchen. She’s known for her love of food, wine and cooking—and sharing all three with family and friends. Serving the Houston community is a priority for Belinda, and she’s a member of multiple charitable organizations including advisory board member for HARC & TEACH, a gala committee member for Arc of Katy and president of Friends for Good.
For someone who fell into fashion, Cody Sever has made a happy accident into quite the career. The Lebanon, Pennsylvania, native didn’t grow up contemplating the fashion industry, but when he packed his bags after graduating from Southwest Texas State, he headed directly to The Galleria and began his luxury retail career at Saks Fifth Avenue. His retail path led him to M PENNER in 2006, and the rest has become a very stylish history. Outside of the store, Cody is an avid runner, having completed the Chevron Houston Marathon. He also enjoys going the movies, listening to music, trying out Houston’s restaurants and spending time with friends.
Stephen Skoda was born for fashion and retail. As a boy growing up in Queens, New York, he spent summers working in his father’s coat manufacturing warehouse. Over time, Stephen rose through the ranks from the warehouse floor to the 7th Avenue showroom, honing his style eye and learning the nuances of women’s fashion. Couple his ability with degrees from Long Island University and the esteemed Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, and Stephen soon found himself selling multiple fashion lines to specialty stores across the southeastern region of the United States. From there his retail path was set, which led him to M PENNER in 2008, where he is the Women’s Boutique expert. Gregarious by nature, Stephen is active outside the store, spending time cycling, cooking, reading and going to the theatre, as well as spending time with family.
Texas native Whitney Wiggins has always had a knack for exploring the more interesting nooks and crannies of life. Born in Port Arthur, Whitney worked for his father, training thoroughbred race horses, followed by serving in the United States Army. After finishing with the Army, Whitney started his retail career in the athletic shoe industry, but discovered his interests lay more in the luxury retail field. After working at high-profile retailers in Dallas and Houston, Whitney found a home at M PENNER in 2009. A true believer in the history and vision of the M PENNER concept, he loves working with and selling the broad array of fine collections carried at the store. A self-proclaimed “sports guru,” Whitney enjoys cycling and other athletic endeavors, but his most valuable time is spent with his wife and three children and participating in their multiple activities such as theatre, modeling, soccer and school functions.
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Chris Patton
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