By Rachael Lindley
Photography by Jill Johnson
Nestled in the heart of the bustling, tree-lined avenues of Southlake Town Square is XAR (pronounced “zahr”) Clothier, a one-of-a-kind shopping destination owned by Roy Rizwan.
Rizwan has created a sartorial sanctuary where luxury meets warmth and every client feels like royalty. Hospitality comes naturally to him, and he’s built a loyal clientele over the past several years to prove it.
“We’re not selling for one moment — we want lifetime relationships,” says Rizwan.
Suffice it to say, mission accomplished.
“People call me from FaceTime when they’re out of town,” Rizwan says. “During COVID, they came in just to support us, even if they didn’t need anything. One gentleman bought a jacket he didn’t even want — he just wanted to make sure we stayed open.”
Rizwan hails from Pakistan but has been in Dallas for 35 years, with twenty-seven of those spent working as a top salesperson for a high-end German brand. He gained crucial business acumen there, which he utilized when co-founding XAR in 2012. XAR has since grown into a $5 million business built on service, trust and exceptional taste.
In 2020, the retailer expanded. What began as a men’s boutique next to the Boardroom evolved into a full-service fashion destination, offering a range of men’s and women’s collections, jewelry, accessories, shoes and a commitment to helping every client look and feel their best. No one works on commission, and every team member is trained in Rizwan’s signature approach: honesty, precision, and kindness.
Rizwan is the rare shopkeeper who remembers your size, your favorite designers, what neighborhood you’re from and, critically, what not to sell you. “If I sell a couture dress to a woman in Highland Park,” he says, “I won’t sell it to someone in Southlake. If you spend $900 on a dress, I want you to feel like it was made just for you.”
His knowledge is encyclopedic and intuitive. Rizwan can size you up at a glance — literally — and knows not just what fits, but what flatters. “I told a client the other day: you’re too fair-skinned for orange. It’s not your color. Let’s try this instead.” His honesty has become a calling card: that, and the small rosette on all his lapels.
Of course, fashion is only part of the story. Rizwan’s real superpower is connection. His boutique is more of a haven than a shop. “People come in sad or stressed, and they leave smiling. Even if they buy nothing. We make people feel better.”
His employees reflect the global warmth he cultivates. XAR boasts a diverse team from Bangladesh, Turkey, Iran, Pakistan, and the U.S., all handpicked for their ability to serve with soul. His buyers are aware of the trends months in advance. They curate his racks like gallery walls — color stories with pops of contrast. “I’m the male version of The Devil Wears Prada,” he jokes. “But kinder.”
Rizwan aims to provide capsule-type wardrobes for his clients, enabling them to mix and match clothing items in various combinations. The goal is to create an intentional story with your clothes.
As for upcoming trends? “Black, gray, neutrals — they’re coming back, unfortunately,” Rizwan says. “But we’ll always have color. Always.”
XAR Clothier is a place of gratitude, a community where Rizwan has created a sense of belonging. “We’re not just selling clothes,” he says. “We’re helping people feel like their best self.”
And when you leave with your perfectly tailored jacket or hand-selected earrings, you won’t just remember what you wore.
You’ll remember how you felt.
