Bookings strong......we have met or exceeded our registrations for December and January...I'm not seeing any significant changes Bridal shows: our main show was just yesterday and we saw an increase in brides...I feel they are sharpening their skills on planning, trying to find the best value for their dollars being spent, but they still plan to have most of the wedding they wanted to have. Color of course is everything to them, we are seeing a big variety...purple in many shades has returned as well as teal...also variety of blues from light to dark....hot pink is still strong but the other citrus shades have lost some popularity.
Diane Peters
Ducky’s Formal Wear Galesburg IL

Here in North Alabama we just finished our January Bridal Show today (Jan. 25th) and had a record turnout. Over 250 Brides registered and the interest in Formal Wear was very good. Brown seems to be still getting a lot of attention as well as accessories in Purples, Blues, and Greens. Price was not a great concern, but was asked about more this year than in the past. We noticed smaller wedding seems to be a trend. 3 to 4 instead of 7 to 8.But that just means that they will not qualify for the "Grooms Tux Free" with 5 paid rentals. Several request for "hounds tooth" vest, but that is more of a regional thing with the University of Alabama Football (Bear Bryant hounds tooth hat). Most vendors we spoke to at the show says that their Bridal bookings have been strong so far this year and that they expect a good 2009 season after a strong 2008. Other local Bridal Shows in the region have had good January attendance too.

Greg Sharp
Shanky's Mens Wear
Muscle Shoals, Al.

How are your wedding bookings? ...? Anthony Commisso of TUXEGO, (www.tuxego.com) located in Latham NY comments:

2008 was one of the three best years I've had in business. I had the most wedding going into this new year than I've ever had and this has been the best start to a year ever. Attendance at wedding shows has been good and our ability to convert into sales never better. "Kain ein horeh." I have two stores located around the Capital Region. I experimented with a third, but closed it last winter since it was under performing. I am working on opening up another location further north in a partnership. I strictly sub-rent my merchandise from wholesalers so getting more volume through geography is my outlook for growth. Everyone is pulling back in these times and I feel taking chances and pushing to do more might separate even more from the pack. I could go another direction have one store and own my merchandise as one of my local competitors suggested sarcastically to another associate. I'm sure manufacturers would love for me to buy, but given the industry, what when and how much are hard questions. Perhaps I'm obtuse, but I think that is equally risky and takes more "bullwork," when marketing and consulting is a better fit for me. (pun intended)

In answer to your comment about the small stores vs. big chains, I think my ability to compete can be credited to being raised here and getting to know many people over the years through my business, community and civic involvement. My circumstance speaks to the power of the "hometown kid owner-operated shop." I work very hard to provide one on one personal service, offering my clients a vast amount of options equal to that of the giants and an extensive professional website. Still with all those other positives, the hallmark of my success is my very candid advice. A trait other professionals of the wedding industry have come to respect. Additionally I make myself available to authors, publications, TV & radio hosts and websites that are always seeking expert opinions on subjects, and whenever formalwear is the topic, I'm often referred or quoted for such purposes. The opportunities don't come from schlepping off to the shop, renting a few tuxes, a couple alterations and punch the clock, it comes from reaching out and demonstrating the difference, such as authoring a guide that has been copyrighted and very useful

Adding to the above, I am very fortunate that the network of friends and associates I have created in the wedding industry have been very supportive. Of the dozen or so bridal shops in our area, four of the top five bridal salons refer me exclusively. Before MW brokered the deal with David's Bridal, the manager and all of her assistants past and present referred brides to me. I'm equally fortunate with many of the banquets/reception venues and wedding consultants. I have provided formalwear for the family of the most successful caterer/reception/restaurateur and the other major caterers and families in the area. All of who have become close friends. The best of wedding and event coordinators utilized me for not only their client's weddings and family formal events but also for their own weddings, etc. I won't even go down the list of the DJ's, Bands, photographers etc., that I grew up with, go to the same church, play cards, volunteer for civic and charitable committees etc. The volume and business have grown steadily since the bottom dropped in '02, but so has my family as a father of 7-year-old triplets and a 3-year old my overhead carries a great responsibility.

Anthony Commisso
Tuxego
Latham, NY

Bookings are slightly down in all 3 of my stores, but not stock market down. Tightening our belts and being smart about expenses will see us through. Attendance at local bridal shows has been somewhat lower, but pretty good. The brides are looking for new David’s colors the manufacturers need to keep up with. They need to have the colors turned around in a reasonable amount of time to keep all of the independents competitive. David’s new Mermaid and Horizon colors are being pushed by the stores and we need options in that color now!

Steve Anthony
Ducky’s Formal Wear
Moline, Peoria, DeKalb Illinois

Industry News

FROM: ERIC PLOTT, CEO
After Six is pleased to announce that as of January 26, 2009 Nick Cindea will be re-joining the company after a 7 year absence. We at After Six are pleased to have Nick back representing the company in California, Washington, Oregon, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, Idaho, Montana, Alaska and Hawaii. Nick was a sales rep for After Six from 1990 – 2002. In recent years, Nick has held sales positions with both FCGI and Lord West.

Please join us in welcoming Nick to the After Six sales team. He can be reached by cell at or email at nick.cindea@aftersix.com He is already on the West Coast and has a new cell phone number, 626-485-4499. Give him a call.

contact: kathleen.peskens@aftersix.com

1430 N Chase Street, Athens, GA 30601
free 800.554.8212 phone 706.543.5286 fax 706.549.5430
www.aftersix.com

kathleen.peskens@aftersix.com

Fabian Couture Group Update !!
If Nick was your sales representative and you have immediate needs and/or concerns please contact:
RON KLINGER
Office #: (707) 576-8866
Cell #: (201) 697-7172
Fax #: (707) 576-9966
Email: dutchklinger@sbcglobal.net 

Of Course the FCGI Customer Service Department is, as always ready to handle your immediate ordering requirements and can be reached at (800) 367-6251

Thank you

The Sales and Customer Service Staff of Fabian Couture Group International 



What did you think of our new president’s tuxedo choice?

When Barack Obama stepped out onto the stage at the first inaugural ball in Washington D.C. last month in his new Hart Schaffner and Marx tuxedo his choices in formalwear were met with differing opinions. The wool one button notch accessorized with a J.Crew white shinny bow tie mixed fashion of white and black tie. The president’s choices were reportedly made to stay conservative in tough economic times. A quick search of the internet brings about 100’s of opinions on the presidential formalwear choices. Whatever the consensus he did make the choice look powerful! What do you as formalwear professionals think? editor@formaltimes.com

Wants and Offerings

Curt Collins - Collins formal wear offers for sale:

Full back vest collections, 8 - 10 colors in each style, great condition.
Mel Howard floral paisley, Mel Howard international texture, Mel Howard celebrity paisley, Perry Ellis freedom, Perry Ellis evening, Phillip Stuart Saville, hague vista, chaps plaid.

Jackets - Andrew fezza Cannes - all sizes approx 60 jackets, great condition. After six eternity - all sizes approx 60 jackets, great condition, lots of matching stripe pants. Many other small lines for sale.
Contact curt.Collins@collinsformalwear.com for further details.

Black Tie FW of Chicago Offers for sale:

Black Gold Sienna Paisley 4/H’s
Original Price $9.95 each Asking $5.00 each
Black 48
Bali Lavender 24
Silver 30
Cornflower 24
Platinum 24
Celedon 30
Rivera Cafe 30
Candlelight 18
Petal Pink 24
Kiwi 24
Chocolate 24
Spice Red 30
Royal 24
White 18

Lord West Double Trap Shoes New in Boxes
Approximately 150 Pr. $1500.00

Ascot LLC Nova Striped Shirts $7.00 each
Approximately

200 White
170 Ivory
130 Black

Thanks again!


Sam Carlson
Black Tie Formalwear
708-423-3530
Fax 708-423-3533
sam@blacktietuxes.com

Ira Coleman would like to sell:

4-B NOTCH(JEAN YVES), ABBOUD 2-B NOTCH. 1-B NOTCH, 3-B NOTCH, 5-B VERDI, MIRAGE, 5-B GRAND, FEZZE CANNE, FEZZA DAVINCI, FEZZA AVANTI, FEZZA APPOLLO, JAUGAR(AFTERC SIX), FUBU, CITI-EDGE, ECKO

THEY ARE IN GOOD CONDITION. LETS "MAKE A DEAL".

Ira Coleman
Colemans Tuxedos
649 Morris Twp
Springfield NJj 07081
1-973-568-5238
iratux@aol.com

For Sale
Groove Flat Front Pants - Over 160 Pants (Great Shape) - $10 Each or $800 for ALL
LW 1 Button Black Shawls – 118 Coats 36R – 50X (Good Shape) - $10 Each or $1000 for ALL
Monaco Grey Coats Only - 72 Coats (Great Shape) – All for $350
White Monaco Coats Only - 57 Coats (Great Shape) – All for $400

Dennis Schmidt
Milroy's Tuxedos
319-269-4662
dennis@milroystuxedos.com

Wanted to Buy:
Starwood 3 button Stripe by Ralph Lauren. Need about 40 coats and 60 trousers
Call Bryon Hanawalt at (405) 681-0309 if you have these available

Bryon Hanawalt
President
Tom's Formalwear
Savvi Formalwear
5240 S Pennsylvania Avenue
Oklahoma City, OK 73119
(405) 681-0309 ph
(405) 681-0365 fx
www.tomsformalwear.com

Thoughts for the week

“Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.” -Barack Obama

Mark Twain gave good advice: "Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."

Bookings strong......we have met or exceeded our registrations for December and January...I'm not seeing any significant changes Bridal shows: our main show was just yesterday and we saw an increase in brides...I feel they are sharpening their skills on planning, trying to find the best value for their dollars being spent, but they still plan to have most of the wedding they wanted to have. Color of course is everything to them, we are seeing a big variety...purple in many shades has returned as well as teal...also variety of blues from light to dark....hot pink is still strong but the other citrus shades have lost some popularity.
Diane Peters
Ducky’s Formal Wear Galesburg IL

Here in North Alabama we just finished our January Bridal Show today (Jan. 25th) and had a record turnout. Over 250 Brides registered and the interest in Formal Wear was very good. Brown seems to be still getting a lot of attention as well as accessories in Purples, Blues, and Greens. Price was not a great concern, but was asked about more this year than in the past. We noticed smaller wedding seems to be a trend. 3 to 4 instead of 7 to 8.But that just means that they will not qualify for the "Grooms Tux Free" with 5 paid rentals. Several request for "hounds tooth" vest, but that is more of a regional thing with the University of Alabama Football (Bear Bryant hounds tooth hat). Most vendors we spoke to at the show says that their Bridal bookings have been strong so far this year and that they expect a good 2009 season after a strong 2008. Other local Bridal Shows in the region have had good January attendance too.

Greg Sharp
Shanky's Mens Wear
Muscle Shoals, Al.

How are your wedding bookings? ...? Anthony Commisso of TUXEGO, (www.tuxego.com) located in Latham NY comments:

2008 was one of the three best years I've had in business. I had the most wedding going into this new year than I've ever had and this has been the best start to a year ever. Attendance at wedding shows has been good and our ability to convert into sales never better. "Kain ein horeh." I have two stores located around the Capital Region. I experimented with a third, but closed it last winter since it was under performing. I am working on opening up another location further north in a partnership. I strictly sub-rent my merchandise from wholesalers so getting more volume through geography is my outlook for growth. Everyone is pulling back in these times and I feel taking chances and pushing to do more might separate even more from the pack. I could go another direction have one store and own my merchandise as one of my local competitors suggested sarcastically to another associate. I'm sure manufacturers would love for me to buy, but given the industry, what when and how much are hard questions. Perhaps I'm obtuse, but I think that is equally risky and takes more "bullwork," when marketing and consulting is a better fit for me. (pun intended)

In answer to your comment about the small stores vs. big chains, I think my ability to compete can be credited to being raised here and getting to know many people over the years through my business, community and civic involvement. My circumstance speaks to the power of the "hometown kid owner-operated shop." I work very hard to provide one on one personal service, offering my clients a vast amount of options equal to that of the giants and an extensive professional website. Still with all those other positives, the hallmark of my success is my very candid advice. A trait other professionals of the wedding industry have come to respect. Additionally I make myself available to authors, publications, TV & radio hosts and websites that are always seeking expert opinions on subjects, and whenever formalwear is the topic, I'm often referred or quoted for such purposes. The opportunities don't come from schlepping off to the shop, renting a few tuxes, a couple alterations and punch the clock, it comes from reaching out and demonstrating the difference, such as authoring a guide that has been copyrighted and very useful

Adding to the above, I am very fortunate that the network of friends and associates I have created in the wedding industry have been very supportive. Of the dozen or so bridal shops in our area, four of the top five bridal salons refer me exclusively. Before MW brokered the deal with David's Bridal, the manager and all of her assistants past and present referred brides to me. I'm equally fortunate with many of the banquets/reception venues and wedding consultants. I have provided formalwear for the family of the most successful caterer/reception/restaurateur and the other major caterers and families in the area. All of who have become close friends. The best of wedding and event coordinators utilized me for not only their client's weddings and family formal events but also for their own weddings, etc. I won't even go down the list of the DJ's, Bands, photographers etc., that I grew up with, go to the same church, play cards, volunteer for civic and charitable committees etc. The volume and business have grown steadily since the bottom dropped in '02, but so has my family as a father of 7-year-old triplets and a 3-year old my overhead carries a great responsibility.

Anthony Commisso
Tuxego
Latham, NY

Bookings are slightly down in all 3 of my stores, but not stock market down. Tightening our belts and being smart about expenses will see us through. Attendance at local bridal shows has been somewhat lower, but pretty good. The brides are looking for new David’s colors the manufacturers need to keep up with. They need to have the colors turned around in a reasonable amount of time to keep all of the independents competitive. David’s new Mermaid and Horizon colors are being pushed by the stores and we need options in that color now!

Steve Anthony
Ducky’s Formal Wear
Moline, Peoria, DeKalb Illinois

Industry News

FROM: ERIC PLOTT, CEO
After Six is pleased to announce that as of January 26, 2009 Nick Cindea will be re-joining the company after a 7 year absence. We at After Six are pleased to have Nick back representing the company in California, Washington, Oregon, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, Idaho, Montana, Alaska and Hawaii. Nick was a sales rep for After Six from 1990 – 2002. In recent years, Nick has held sales positions with both FCGI and Lord West.

Please join us in welcoming Nick to the After Six sales team. He can be reached by cell at or email at nick.cindea@aftersix.com He is already on the West Coast and has a new cell phone number, 626-485-4499. Give him a call.

contact: kathleen.peskens@aftersix.com

1430 N Chase Street, Athens, GA 30601
free 800.554.8212 phone 706.543.5286 fax 706.549.5430
www.aftersix.com

kathleen.peskens@aftersix.com

Fabian Couture Group Update !!
If Nick was your sales representative and you have immediate needs and/or concerns please contact:
RON KLINGER
Office #: (707) 576-8866
Cell #: (201) 697-7172
Fax #: (707) 576-9966
Email: dutchklinger@sbcglobal.net 

Of Course the FCGI Customer Service Department is, as always ready to handle your immediate ordering requirements and can be reached at (800) 367-6251

Thank you

The Sales and Customer Service Staff of Fabian Couture Group International 



What did you think of our new president’s tuxedo choice?

When Barack Obama stepped out onto the stage at the first inaugural ball in Washington D.C. last month in his new Hart Schaffner and Marx tuxedo his choices in formalwear were met with differing opinions. The wool one button notch accessorized with a J.Crew white shinny bow tie mixed fashion of white and black tie. The president’s choices were reportedly made to stay conservative in tough economic times. A quick search of the internet brings about 100’s of opinions on the presidential formalwear choices. Whatever the consensus he did make the choice look powerful! What do you as formalwear professionals think? editor@formaltimes.com

Wants and Offerings

Curt Collins - Collins formal wear offers for sale:

Full back vest collections, 8 - 10 colors in each style, great condition.
Mel Howard floral paisley, Mel Howard international texture, Mel Howard celebrity paisley, Perry Ellis freedom, Perry Ellis evening, Phillip Stuart Saville, hague vista, chaps plaid.

Jackets - Andrew fezza Cannes - all sizes approx 60 jackets, great condition. After six eternity - all sizes approx 60 jackets, great condition, lots of matching stripe pants. Many other small lines for sale.
Contact curt.Collins@collinsformalwear.com for further details.

Black Tie FW of Chicago Offers for sale:

Black Gold Sienna Paisley 4/H’s
Original Price $9.95 each Asking $5.00 each
Black 48
Bali Lavender 24
Silver 30
Cornflower 24
Platinum 24
Celedon 30
Rivera Cafe 30
Candlelight 18
Petal Pink 24
Kiwi 24
Chocolate 24
Spice Red 30
Royal 24
White 18

Lord West Double Trap Shoes New in Boxes
Approximately 150 Pr. $1500.00

Ascot LLC Nova Striped Shirts $7.00 each
Approximately

200 White
170 Ivory
130 Black

Thanks again!


Sam Carlson
Black Tie Formalwear
708-423-3530
Fax 708-423-3533
sam@blacktietuxes.com

Ira Coleman would like to sell:

4-B NOTCH(JEAN YVES), ABBOUD 2-B NOTCH. 1-B NOTCH, 3-B NOTCH, 5-B VERDI, MIRAGE, 5-B GRAND, FEZZE CANNE, FEZZA DAVINCI, FEZZA AVANTI, FEZZA APPOLLO, JAUGAR(AFTERC SIX), FUBU, CITI-EDGE, ECKO

THEY ARE IN GOOD CONDITION. LETS "MAKE A DEAL".

Ira Coleman
Colemans Tuxedos
649 Morris Twp
Springfield NJj 07081
1-973-568-5238
iratux@aol.com

For Sale
Groove Flat Front Pants - Over 160 Pants (Great Shape) - $10 Each or $800 for ALL
LW 1 Button Black Shawls – 118 Coats 36R – 50X (Good Shape) - $10 Each or $1000 for ALL
Monaco Grey Coats Only - 72 Coats (Great Shape) – All for $350
White Monaco Coats Only - 57 Coats (Great Shape) – All for $400

Dennis Schmidt
Milroy's Tuxedos
319-269-4662
dennis@milroystuxedos.com

Wanted to Buy:
Starwood 3 button Stripe by Ralph Lauren. Need about 40 coats and 60 trousers
Call Bryon Hanawalt at (405) 681-0309 if you have these available

Bryon Hanawalt
President
Tom's Formalwear
Savvi Formalwear
5240 S Pennsylvania Avenue
Oklahoma City, OK 73119
(405) 681-0309 ph
(405) 681-0365 fx
www.tomsformalwear.com

Thoughts for the week

“Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.” -Barack Obama

Mark Twain gave good advice: "Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."

The opinions expressed by the authors do not reflect necessarily of the Association of  International Formalwear, its officials, directors or personnel. Each author is the unique person in charge of her or his content.

The opinions expressed by the authors do not reflect necessarily of the Association of  International Formalwear, its officials, directors or personnel. Each author is the unique person in charge of her or his content.