Are citrus vests and white tuxedos the items you are out of for the big weeks or is it black stripe tuxedos and pastels? What is most in demand? In talking to a few stores around the country, it is the same yet different. Joe Figueras of Mister Tux Miami says Formal One’s Starwood and his other super 100 black tuxedos are his hot ticket. They rent a lot of black vests with colored 4/H ties. The color of choice at present is gold with aqua and hot pink still popular. His prices range for prom from $59 to $149 and May 5 is his biggest week. Russo’s Tux Shop in the Boston area also reports the black tuxedo being dominant with the prom customer and is doing very well with the new Calvin Klein from FLOW Formal Alliance. Soft pink seems to be the most requested color this year and their price range is $78 to $150. What is the most asked for styles in your store? Tell us what is working well for you in your part of the country rebeccamc522@aol.com  

Send us your prom stories for all to hear. We could all use a good laugh about now! I know you have all worked with the “prom mom” who tells you “Take the things down off your walls so my son can use it or they shouldn’t be there!” Hang in there and keep smiling.

I am sure this finds you with barely enough time to even check your email, let alone take the time to read. These 50-70 hour weeks are getting to all of us! In this edition we get to know Amy DuBois from Green Bay, WI, as our featured industry member. Also, a small company from New York which makes suspenders tells us what he has to offer along with a reminder about rental jewelry. Read on and let us know what you think. rebeccamc522@aol.com

 

Have you ever had a customer ask you for shirt stays or sock garters and not know where to turn for such an item? How about high boys suspenders or even extra long lengths? Or maybe a retail customer who is looking for fine silk suspenders and wants a choice of fittings or button tabs.

Sartorous of Brooklyn, NY, has the answer for all the above formalwear dilemmas! Contact Sy Susswein and tell him what you are looking for. Ducky’s just had such an experience during the past homecoming and semiformal dance season, with kids looking for bright colored suspenders to wear with a long tie. The ties, we have many. The bright colored suspenders were nowhere to be found. Through a process of referrals over the phone one day I stumbled upon Mr. Susswein and his ability to help.

The company custom makes suspenders, shirt stays, and sock garters. They offer bulk rental suspenders for as little as $3.25 in standard 11/8” width web elastic in black, white, or red. Product can be boxed for retail at a minimal charge. Mr. Susswein recommends an upgrade insert clip to better protect your pants and keep the suspender in place included at this price. This is especially important with the super 100 fabrics of many of the tuxedo styles today.

Retail choices include several 1 1/4” poly elastic styles boxed with 3 end choices available: clip end, drop clip, or button tab. The better braces range from $9 to $17 wholesale in elastics and silk. These are all available with gilt or nickel fittings for the clip and turned cord or braided end for button tabs. Extra long or boys cut are also available.

The shirt stays, many times requested by our customers with a military background are boxed for retail wholesaling from $2.25 to $6.00. Sock garters are also available. Adding these hard to find items to your stores inventory makes you stand out as “the” place to go for men’s formalwear.

Did you know?
The term “suspenders” refers to the fact that the person’s trousers are suspended from his/her shoulders.  Originally, suspenders were made as two independent straps without being connected in the back and thus a person wore a “pair of suspenders”.

Sartorous LLC
Sy Susswein
10 Jay Street, Suite 105
Brooklyn, NY 11201
Ph:718-943-9250 ext 12
Fax:718-943-9251

Men's Wearhouse Inc., Houston, as previously announced has closed the acquisition of After Hours Formalwear from Cincinnati-based Federated Department Stores Inc. The sale price of approximately $100 million was adjusted for certain items totaling approximately $32.7 million, which were primarily customer cash deposits retained by Federated on rentals to be completed after closing. The cash consideration paid, after these adjustments, was approximately $67.3 million. After Hours is the largest men's formalwear chain in the United States and operates 507 stores in 35 states under After Hours Formalwear and Mr. Tux store fronts. After Hours had an exclusive relationship with David's Bridal, the nation's largest bridal retailer with 269 stores. That exclusivity will remain effective after the acquisition and will be extended to Men's Wearhouse and Moores store brands.

IFA EXPO26! September 8-10 Nashville, Tennessee at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center. Make plans now to attend! The theme for this year’s EXPO is “New Challenges, Innovative Solutions.” Do not miss this once a year opportunity to see what is on the horizon for our industry and reconnect with old friends. We always seem to add in some time to have a little fun and Nashville should be a great place to look for it!

Click here for more information about EXPO26.

Have you met Amy DuBois? Amy is a tough, dedicated business person, yet keeps a good balance and enjoys life. Find out more about Amy below:

Name and family information
Amy DuBois // Single Mom
Bayliegh // Daughter
Jim DuBois // Brother & Partner

Lives in Green Bay, WI. Bachelors Degree in Business from UW-Milwaukee in 1984.

Background years in the industry company etc?
All my life of aaaah! 48 years? I think...
Seriously, I worked since I was about 9 years old, separating jewelry and folding suspenders. Then after pressing and altering coats and pants through high school, I came back after college to install the Liberty Computer Software, which was only supposed to take one year (1986). In 1998 I became President, and the rest is history.

What part of the business is your favorite?
The people! I really enjoy people...from our customers, our employees, the community we live in to our colleagues and vendors. It's been an incredible journey in this industry. It can be such a reason to celebrate! It's really been fun!

What part is your least favorite?
Like any business, when promises are made and aren't kept. It doesn't happen often -- thank God! It's in the follow through...the hardest part is saying no to a customer, whether it be an external or internal customer (our employees/vendors).

Where would you like to see yourself in five years?
A successful business owner with people who want to work alongside me!

How long have you been on the IFA board?
5+ Years

What are your main focuses or committees you serve on?
My main focus (Membership committee) has been keeping the industry and association alive and growing. I support the IFA because I believe in the industry. The conventions are the place where people join together to support and learn from each other. Another committee I served was the Education committee.

What has been the biggest surprise in being a board member?
The biggest surprise for me was being asked to serve on the board to begin with...never thought that would happen. Thanks Steve Anthony! I've met such wonderful people who I can call my friends and I know they would support and help me if I asked them. I don't think this could have happened if I didn't get asked to serve. What a great experience it's been!

In a perfect world what would you like to see change with the IFA?
I would like to see the IFA grow back to the way it was in the 90's! There was always so much excitement! Times have changed and we've been through some tough times. I am confident it will get better again!

Who have you met through the board that you did not know before being a member?
Oh my gosh, it would be hard to name everyone...let's just say 100's of people!

How can members of the board become more accessible to people in the industry?
Many ways. People in the industry need to know they have access to Board Members...internet and email would be great, phone calling better but there isn't anything like meeting someone in person. That would need to be through conventions and satellite shows. Communication is key!

Can you tie a bowtie?
I would be lying if I said I could tie a perfect bowtie. Could we just say yes, I work at tying bowties. I know the concept but haven't mastered it yet!

What are your thoughts on what we can do to remain competitive as small operators?
Networking, follow through, trust, integrity, respect ...working hard and being good to people....and don't forget to smile!

What does your company do better than your competition?
I'm not sure and would be guessing if I responded to this question...I just know we have a lot of loyal customers.

Favorite quote or motto you live by
It's funny you ask. I have many I live by but the latest one I found that I really like is this: Watch your thoughts, for they become words. Choose your words, for they become actions. Understand your actions, for they become habits. Study your habits, for they become your character. Develop your character, for it becomes your destiny.

Favorite things to do outside of formalwear?
I love anything to do with the outdoors! I love the smells of spring and a campfire. I love to snow ski down a hill or mountain and see the beautiful landscape whether it be Lake Michigan or Aspen. I also enjoy slalom water skiing and skimming the water with my hip and strive to see how high and far I can spray water onto the person sitting on the beach or dock -- Hah!

Mentor or source of greatest support?
Don Menefee was a business consultant I worked with about 5 years ago and I will never forget any of the things he taught me.

Thoughts or ending remarks to get to know you and remember you by?
I believe it's all about your people, and the people you associate yourself with. One can't have a business without people who support it! That includes your customers, your employees, your colleagues, your vendors. I need to support them first though...life is good, I remind myself of that constantly!

Quotables

“Hard work spotlights the character of people: some turn up their sleeves, some turn up their noses, and some don't turn up at all.”
-Sam Ewing

"Knowledge is the antidote to fear."
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Have you checked your jewelry supplies lately? Prom season brings to surface all possible short comings. Don’t let rental jewelry be one of the items you are short on the upcoming big weeks. Most of the companies listed on the source page under Rental Jewelry report good stock. Sold in gross packages in setting and stone choices, this is a tuxedo standard. In keeping the fine line between suits and tuxedos from reaching the breaking point studs and cufflinks play an important part. The customer’s perception of the differences is substantiated with explaining a tuxedo is ALWAYS worn with studs and cufflinks. This is especially important with the young prom customer, since he has no previous knowledge of the differences.

Standard rental grade jewelry is sold in gross packages and can range in price. Classix, FCGI, and Tuxedo Park all report good stock in all styles. Make sure to check your supplies and give them a call. Anything else we might be forgetting?? Contact me rebeccamc522@aol.com.

FCGI: 800-367-6251
Tuxedo Park: 425-744-6316
Classix: 661-726-9041