We spoke to seven of North America’s leading luxury merchants about the changing economy and the future of the luxury customer: Russ Patrick, Neiman Marcus; Tom Ott, Saks Fifth Avenue; Bob Mitchell, Mitchells Stores; Ken Gushner, Boyds; Greg Eveloff, The Clotherie; Jeff Farbstein, Harry Rosen; and David Witman, Nordstrom.

How’s current business? What are the hottest items or trends and what do you see going forward?

Greg Eveloff, The Clotherie: Business is challenging: we need more bodies walking through the door! Bestsellers include sportswear, Eton (we put in a shop with their fixtures), tailored clothing (slimmer fits, off the rack), and luxury outerwear (despite temperatures in the 70s…). Cardigans are not moving, although we sold cardigan vest

What are the biggest changes you’re implementing for 2012?

Eveloff: We’re growing our online business which is all plus sales, with surprisingly low return rates. Certain brands do well, even ones that I don’t carry in the store. Hot categories online are denim and wovens. It’s about 4 percent of my business now but I hope to build it to 10 percent. Of course we hired a full-time person to manage it.

What are your long-term challenges and opportunities? As vendors increasingly go direct to consumers, how will your business model shift?

Eveloff: Every day is a challenge, especially with the soft real estate market here in Phoenix. Vendors going direct to consumers is a fact of life; my goal is to win over the few guys who can afford our product with differentiated assortments, networking, referrals, events (although clothing trunk shows have not been pulling) and exceptional service..

How has your pricing/promotional strategy shifted in recent seasons?

Eveloff: We need newness; it’s the only thing selling! Guys don’t need to replace their clothing; they buy if they see something fabulous. (Which is why we’re selling luxury outerwear in 70 degree temperatures…)

Be sure to read the entire article by Karen Alberg Grossman on MRketplace here

I started Dignity U Wear because I was in the concentration camps for five years with no clothes,” says Landwirth. “After I left the camps, I was 18 years old and I was homeless. And I promised myself that one day, God willing, I would be able to help other people not to suffer as much as I did.” To date, Dignity U Wear has distributed over 6.6 million pieces of clothing valued at over $120 million to families in all 50 states.

Eleven years later this great foundation continues to grow with its support from celebrities such as Mark Wahlberg (check out his story here) bringing new clothes to those who need it most.The Dignity U Wear organization is a true inspiration to how philanthropy can blossom from struggle and hardship.

The Clotherie is a proud supporter of giving back and through our commitment we have given hundreds of donated clothes to the Boys and Girls Club of Scottsdale. We appreciate the support of our wonderful clientele and hope to continue to make an impact on our community.

Wishing you all a happy and healthy New Year!

How did Bow Tie Friday start?
John: What started as a simple act of civil disobedience has become a lifestyle choice.

Charlie: It started as a joke but now I really do like wearing them. Well, that is, once I figured out how to tie one. And once everyone saw that I knew how to do it I had to tie four last Friday!

Has anyone noticed that you started wearing bow ties? What’s their reaction?
John: Yes, people notice. When walking down the street you get one of two responses: either a smile or a scowl. I enjoy wearing bow ties, although on most occasions I wear a necktie. I have fond recollections of seeing my grandfather cutting the lawn with a tie on and wearing totes over his shoes. I guess that’s why I still wear a sportcoat and leather soled shoes when I fly for pleasure. As for what my wife thinks, well, seeing that she spent a small fortune on ties so I don’t repeat, she considers it one of my more harmless vices.

Charlie: Women like it; men have more of a negative reaction, but everyone seems compelled to say something. My wife shakes her head and thinks it’s funny. But it’s catching on—we started with three guys and now we’re up to seven!

Where do you buy them? How much do you spend?
John: I found this nifty place in Vermont called Beau Ties (no shameless plugs though…). They run between $75 and $125. As for neckties, I really like Ferragamo but have been trying to branch out…

Charli: Brooks Brothers and J. Press. I spend as much as I would for a regular tie, anywhere between $55 and $65.

For a great selection of bowties and the ability to order in almost any color satin silk visit The Clotherie!

Article found here on MRketplace.com

Everything Old Is New Again

“Those who bring sunshine into the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves.”

The Clotherie wants you to help share the joy this holiday season as we “gather the old and make everything new again!” In the spirit of the holiday season we would like to offer a gift to you, as well as our Boys and Girls Club of Greater Scottsdale, a program that provides more than 100 quality programs to 16,000 members throughout the valley. Donations keep these programs available to all families, providing youth development services that instill strong core values and life enhancing skills in a safe environment.

CLEAN OUT YOUR CLOSET…

Get rid of the old, find something new, you’ll give it to them, we’ll give it to you!

BRING YOUR “Slightly Used” SUIT* OR SPORT COAT* AND TROUSERS* TO The Clotherie… at the time of purchase. Receive $300 OFF on your next minimum purchase of $800. Our fall/winter 2011 wardrobe is sensational, we have added many new and exciting lines while relishing the fashions of our old-time favorites. Our very professional staff would love to have the opportunity to work with you on your wardrobe in any manner that meets your personal needs and desires.

* All items must be clean

But what about the party?

The Clotherie will be celebrating its new state of the art Men’s store Friday, October 28th from 5;30 PM to 8:00 PM.

Join us as friends from old and new celebrate the Best Men’s Store in Arizona with guests from ETON of Sweden and other favorite vendors, PRIZES given away throughout the night and chances to win more prizes by raffle, and enjoy fabulous food and memories. We hope that all of you can make it so mark your calendars and join us on Friday night!

Please RSVP as soon as you can by calling 602.956.8600 or go here to do it all online.

See you there!

In my 21 years as editor of MR Magazine, I’ve seen my share of domestic factories. I’ve seen suits made in Tupelo, Mississippi, Chicago, Brooklyn and New Bedford, Massachusetts. I’ve seen ties made in New Orleans, New York City, and Carmel, California. Pants in Brooklyn. Belts in New Orleans. Sweaters in Winona, Minnesota. I’ve seen high-tech machinery, digital design, intricate hand craftsmanship, tremendous pride. It’s America at its best: talented people from diverse ethnic backgrounds working together for a common goal. Or as Joseph Abboud (HMX president/chief creative officer) put it, “We don’t give our workers enough credit: what they do is extraordinary.”

There’s no denying the extent to which American apparel manufacturing has been decimated over the years: in 1965, 95 percent of American clothing was produced here; by 2009, the domestic share of market had dropped to 5 percent. Some blame NAFTA for giving Canada a huge advantage. Others blame cheap labor in Asia, the unions, an entitled generation of young people unwilling to take factory jobs or government refusal to impose tariffs on the endless barrage of cheap Asian imports.

But blame who you will, there’s change in the air. Be it our faltering economy creating a genuine desire to bring back manufacturing jobs, a long-overdue wave of patriotism, or a fashion trend toward heritage brands enhanced by authenticity, made in America is suddenly cool again. As neckwear maker Barbara Blank told me after returning from the trade show circuit, “There’s so much more enthusiasm this year for my “made in New York City” label. Retailers want American-made product; their customers are asking for it. We’ve been producing in NYC for 89 years; we never gave up on it, so this is truly gratifying.”

In this issue, we examine made in America from various perspectives: wholesale, retail and international (where, ironically, the demand is even greater than it is stateside). We include a few case studies (a domestic factory, an independent specialty store, an international chain store, a new domestic manufacturer) and our fashion pages feature only domestic product. We also present some guidelines for creating a made-in-America event in your store, and an online list of industry organizations promoting American fashion and lobbying to bring back jobs.

Perhaps Joe Blair from Individualized Apparel Group sums it up best: “Ever since the economy stumbled in ’08, Americans are realizing that as a nation, we need to go back to making things. Most understand that this is not a fleeting fashion trend or a hot button for a season or two. It’s about our country, and very much about our future.”

Find the original article here

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