The Ruby by the New Joseph Abboud

By Paul Pannone

eWedNewz  is focusing on why the tuxedo industry fell from grace with consumers. A decade of decline, fueled by a number of reasons includes the assault of off-shore production of  lower-cost goods flooding the market and an eroding interest in formal weddings.

The vulnerable wedding market,challenged by lasting effects of the recession, faces greater difficulty brought about by higher fuel prices. Higher prices for necessary items leaves less dollars to spend on discretionary items and impact wedding budgets. 

The Failure of After Six, chance of another failure we’re tracking that seems likely caused confusion in the tuxedo market. Tuxedo specialty stores continue to rent older goods, damaging the credibility to rent a tuxedo; consumers cannot tell how old garments are. According to surveys demand for rentals has declined nearly 5% (4.6%) since 2009. Data surrounding the decline shows a higher demand for purchasing the groom’s outfit.

Discussions with formal wear Specialists say the lack of new style creation has also been a major reason for disinterest in formal wear rentals. Since becoming an “In Stock” operator over ten years ago, Jerrid Burdick of Tux Express in Massachusetts told eWN,” There really hasn’t been anything new to buy that is must-have. Because there hasn’t been any style innovation or a reason to buy, there has been no promotion of garments or the idea of tuxedo rentals; that exacerbated the decline further.” Burdick and other readers say they’re intrigued by what’s happening in the tuxedo business. “I read the story about the Ruby; that looks like a nice product,” said Burdick and others.

According to information and data supplied by FLOW , the RUBY 2-button notch with side vents and purple lining is the number one selling fashion coat for 2011, followed by the Diamond 2-button peak with side vents and purple lining. The Diamond is followed by the Vette 2-button notch with 3/8 self frame, side vents, purple lining. “The purple lining is what makes the coat really different,” according to Tom Black of FLOW. According to Black, the attention and appeal includes the softness in the “hand” of the super 130’s fabric and the extra attention to detail of the garment.

Further investigation into the fabric reveals ease of garment preparation at the plant and store level. Discussions with store owners owning goods from Fabian Couture said the Lora Piano fabric was too difficult to deal with in the rental application.

Discussions with Noel Feldman of FLOW said sales of the new Joseph Abboud launch was hampered by the dumping of older goods under the old agreement with Fabian Couture. Still Feldman told eWedNewz, “We’re pleasantly surprised with the amount of advanced orders and steady stream of new people coming on board has been. We are looking forward to the Abboud product increasing in distribution after we’ve worked through the existing products that out there on the market.” Backed by owner, Jeff Weintraub, a solid commitment to the Joseph Abboud brand signals a solid launch for 2012. 

A flooded market of older Joseph Abboud formal wear hampered the 2011 launch. When searching for new formal wear fashion, please insist on this new label to assure you’re getting the latest under the new licensing agreement. 

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