Welcome to Formal Times!

In this issue we explore Mpell Solutions, a new exhibitor at EXPO26, to see what they have to offer. We also check in with Doug Black to get his perspective on what it takes to successfully merge two industry suppliers. Let us know what you would like to hear rebeccamc522@aol.com.

Enhance Your Marketing with Mpell Solutions

Have you heard this name before? Of that 2 to 6 percent you allow for advertising what is your rate of return? What promotion did you use for prom this year and did it work as well as last year? Are the potential bridal customers noticing your information among the flood they receive once their wedding plans begin? Maybe this would be a great time to find out who and what Mpell Solutions is! Mpell Solutions would like to help you get noticed. More importantly they would like to provide you with the opportunity to create relationships and retain loyal clientele. Mpell Solutions is in the business of helping you promote your business. They offer redeemable certificates as incentives for your customers. The certificates could be used for bridal shows, direct mail, or drawings in your store you choose how and when to award them. Mpell takes care of the rest. The value and price of the certificate varies based upon your needs. The certificates are for such items as iPods, gift cards, and small electronics among others. The customer submits the certificate validated at your store with a shipping and handling fee and receives the merchandise from Mpell. If this sounds like something you would like more information on, visit Mpell Solutions booth at EXPO26 in Nashville. Let them explain more about how this innovative company can help you promote your business!                                                                                            Customer's Choice: Compact DVD                                                                                         Player, 128MB MP3 Player or 2MP                                                                                         Digital Camera Contact Tim Rohner VP Business Development Mobile: 858-245-6242 www.mpellsolutions.com   www.coolcertificates.com

Target Begins Selling Wedding Gowns Online

Yes, Target is selling wedding gowns under $200 on its website. Can Target be successful selling wedding gowns? Is the tuxedo next? In today's world of borderless Internet shopping, your competition may be hundreds of miles away. Click here to read a recent take from the Chicago Tribune. From The Red Carpet                                     Joaquin Phoenix and Eva Mendes                                      Matt Damon, George Clooney and Brad Pitt          Who was his tailor?                                                  Is this the new generation "Rat Pack?"                                                             Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt. Brad with cummerbund in first and a peak lapel coat with low cut vest                 in second. Very properly tailored at the Cannes Film fest a few weeks back.

BlackGold: A Year in Review

Manufacturer mergers are a stay strong tactic in this ever-shrinking number of individual tuxedo store owners. As the number of owners to sell to have decreased, the efficiency of the suppliers must increase. In the past year the industry has witnessed a few larger manufacturers work through such a process and we thought you might like to know how one of them is doing. Last June it was announced that Mel Howard Accessories was merging with Elite Formal Design to form BlackGold International (also known as Mel Howard Elite). Doug Black, CEO for BlackGold, had these thoughts regarding the merger: “The whole thing began with one phone call. Jon Goldman called me and simply asked if I would be interested in working with/for Elite. Always one to listen, I met and had several discussions with both Jon and Jerry Parness about the possibility of working together. I knew after several meetings that the best way, indeed the only way it would work, was if we were able to do the kind of deal we ended up doing. It became clear from the start that we all shared a common affinity for the industry as a whole, and that this was the cleanest way and the way that made the most sense for both companies moving forward. With a shrinking client base and our combined resources, we both felt that we would be better positioned to compete in this ever-changing market. As it turned out, we were right on several counts. The industry as a whole welcomed this merger. Both sides have contributed to building a stronger company, with a more diverse product mix and better quality to service the industry. While we have experienced some of the typical merger-related problems in our first year, we anticipate that most of the bumps are behind us and that we will be one of the go-to vendors in this industry for many years to come. Our sales force right now consists of Bucky McQueen in the Southeast, Tom Black (my baby Brother) in the Northeast, Bill Davis in the Midwest, and Mike Lubin on the West Coast. We recently parted ways with Brian Leupp who left to pursue his dream of running a chain of formalwear stores in Arizona. We share our sales force with Formalwear International. Dominic Yacovella is involved with focusing the team with regards to the sales of our Jean Yves products. All in all, we have been very lucky to be associated with some of the best professionals the industry has to offer. It is one of the reasons for our success this first year. Our hottest lines this past year were the Sterling Collection and our Cooper Collection. Energy ties also performed admirably well. Still going strong are our basic satins, which seem to be picking up steam year to year. Our new line breaks in about a month, and we just finished shooting with FWI last week in South Beach. We are very excited about the new line and the shots. I won't comment too much on the new styles other than to say that I am as excited as I have ever been about breaking a new line! I hope everyone comes to Nashville to see the next wave of formalwear fashion! After 30+ years in the business, it's still exciting. I guess that’s why I’m a lifer. Formalwear gets into your blood. I would be remiss to not take this opportunity to thank everyone in the industry who supported our merger this year by doing business. I speak for everyone in our company when I say that we are truly appreciative of all the support BlackGold has received. I would also be remiss if I did not take this opportunity to apologize to those who did not receive the kind of service that they were accustomed and entitled to--my humblest apologies to all. Rest assured, we have taken the appropriate measures to correct our first-year inefficiencies. We have consolidated our customer service and administrative functions into one location, and will continue to operate multiple production facilities through 2008 to ensure the deliveries of our new product line. Several additional changes will be announced in the immediate future, changes that will strengthen our ability to continue being a first-class supplier to the formalwear trade. As for the future...the sky's the limit! We look forward to seeing all of our clients this summer, and especially to the IFA EXPO in September.” BlackGold Jon Goldman goldmanj@blackgoldintl.com jeanyvescatalog.com (800) 334-3862x1306

Industry News

In Memory of Frank Simoni The Industry offers its condolences to the family of Frank Simoni, who passed away last week at the age of 81. He was the founder of American Commodore Tuxedo and Mr. Formal Limosuine based out of Cleveland, Ohio. His son Frank Jr. presently heads both companies Men’s Wearhouse Looks to New Markets for Growth At a recent shareholder’s meeting in San Fransisco, The Men’s Wearhouse presented its strategy to further build sales in 2007 by tapping into new markets such as dry cleaning, where customers can learn about the retailer’s core menswear business. The concept of relating dry cleaning to new business is being tested in Houston where the company recently bought a dry cleaning chain. Men’s Wearhouse stores become drop-off and pick-up points for same-day service, or dry cleaning can be picked up and delivered. “One of the synergies we’re currently exploring is offering free dry cleaning for a year (in the test market),” said George Zimmer, CEO and chairman, who founded the company in 1973. Likewise, tapping new customers figures into the company’s purchase in April of After Hours tuxedo rental, with 500 locations, bringing to 1,267 the number of storefronts the company has in the U.S. and Canada. By 2008, the company’s goal is to offer “seamless” tuxedo rental throughout, said Neill Davis, executive vice-president and COO. Recruiting new Men’s Wearhouse clientele is also behind expanding the company’s uniform business in its Twin Hills division, which has added new clients like US Air and Northwest Airlines, Davis said. The uniform division accounts for $20 million of the company’s $1.9 billion in sales for 2006. News from CSS Chaplin Chaplin has hired Joe Sgro, formerly of Ascot LLC, as a fashion consultant to develop new product lines for the company. Jerry Mashman, Ken Pendley, and Joe Sgro met with the owner of CSS in Denver last week to finalize new product development. Word is they will be offering some exciting new things! News from BlackGold BlackGold is pleased to announce the addition of a new team member. Cecil Wimbs has joined BlackGold as Director of Operations. Cecil will oversee production and operations for BlackGold’s domestic and off shore accessory dedicated facilities. Cecil has been working in Men’s Tailored clothing manufacturing for 40 years; the last 15 years in the formalwear industry. His past experiences in the industry will be a huge benefit to clients. He brings an incredible wealth of knowledge, experience and integrity to the company. Cecil shares the same passion for formalwear as we all do. Please join us in welcoming him back to the formalwear industry. BlackGold and its sales/marketing team look forward to previewing the Jean Yves Merchandising and Marketing campaign this summer.

Yellow Offers Additional Shipping Options

You never again want to be caught like the industry was by the UPS strike years back. Options are good, and Yellow Freight offers one more for you to consider. Read on All Documents, a service offered through myyellow.com now has the added capability to email Invoices, Bills of Lading, Proofs of Delivery and W&R Certificates as PDF attachments. It's simple and quick to request: 1. Enter up to 200 freight bill numbers. Tip: You may cut and paste freight bill numbers from other sources, but they must be entered without spaces or commas and with only 1 number per line (press Enter after each number). 2. Click SEND; a page displays the document(s) available for the freight bill number(s) you entered. 3. Select the documents you want to email, then click the Email button; an email information page appears. 4. Complete the information requested, then click Next; a confirmation page appears, showing the information you entered and the documents that have been emailed. Also, use Auto Documents to have bills of lading, proofs of delivery, invoices and/or weight and research certificates sent to you as soon as they're available online. As an IFA Member you are entitled to special benefits. For more information contact your dedicated representative Lisa M Williams at 800.458.3323 ext 5722, or visit Enrollhere.net today.

EXPO26

Join us for IFA EXPO26, September 8-10, 2007 at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee! Are you looking for innovative solutions to overcome your challenges? Do you seek industry networking opportunities and stronger supplier relationships? Be sure to attend the EXPO26, “New Challenges, Innovative Solutions,” to get all of these answers and more. Registration is now open! Visit the IFA website for details. We hope to see you there! Discounted hotel rates of $149 single/$169 double at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center are available. Contact the Opryland Resort at (866) 972-6779 before August 7, 2007 and reference “IFA EXPO” when making your hotel reservations.

Thoughts for the Week

“If you can solve your problem, then what is the need of worrying? If you cannot solve it, then what is the use of worry?”         --Shantideva Life's most persistent and urgent question is: What are you doing for others?           --Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.