Infighting, Fragmentation and Fighting in the Tuxedo Business Could Hamper Comeback

Posted on April 4, 2013 Written by Leave a Comment

By Paul Pannone

eWedNewz is watching a developing story with conflicting information to a recent resurgence of the men’s formal wear business. Tuxedo rentals have been in decline for over a decade and saw the closure of several founding companies including After Six.

 

When a customer walks into a tuxedo rental store they don’t know how old the garment is.

The original After Six company founded in 1902 made tuxedos in Philadelphia until it went out of business in 1993. The name bounced around the industry for decades after the original company closed and was even owned by the Allstate Insurance company (after Six 2 Baltimore 1994-1996) and the Sequa corporation (After Six 3 1996-2009), among other short-term ownership. What remains are products created years ago that still appear on many websites and showrooms across America, tainting the use of rented tuxedo.

 

According to IBISWorld spending is supposed to increase in various parts of wedding planning industries but the tuxedo business is expected to shrink in the next five-years.

 

51% of an ongoing poll so-far says the tuxedo rental industry is set for a comeback. Together with 26% who say the rental business is holding steady giving a 76% positive rating as opposed to 13% of respondents who feel the tuxedo rental business is dying; 3% say it’s already dead, giving a 16% negative view. 7% say they’re not sure.

Recent blogs by long-time wedding and event planners say the tuxedo business is due for a comeback, ready to service a new generation of users following young role model entertainers adorning the updated threads.

Forces opposing the comeback includes fragmentation in the tuxedo rental business. Lagging behind in technology,  presentation in stores and online. Word of suspect products that have been around for decades is reaching the consumer who are cautious and more aware about  what they’re wearing.  Internet searches for new items find updated styles by Vera Wang and Tony Bowls. New fit and softer fabrics attract new users who are willing to spend upwards of $200 dollars to rent the latest designs. Yet the traditional part of the tuxedo rental business remains stuck in price-wars fighting one another with old merchandise, old ideas and a very arrogant attitude.

Currently there are at least four recognized organizations in the tuxedo business: IFA, SIFA, Tuxedo Junction and SAVVI, each with their own membership, views and approach on marketing. A visit with some of the spokespeople in each of the organizations this week admitted personality conflicts and differences of opinion.

“That’s why there are so many different organizations in the business. There are some very strong personalities with prideful views who aren’t willing to work together,” said one member of the IFA, the original formal wear organization.

Quietly, each organization said they were formed to encourage manufacturers. In reality groups were formed to beat up manufacturers on price and getting them to sponsor outdated, unnecessary trade shows and offset  marketing/advertising expenses. Equally as quiet all groups say they’re focused on trying to keep pace with their biggest competitor.

Men’s Wearhouse hit a homerun with Vera Wang this season. A new arrangement brings the Calvin Klein brand exclusively to Men’s Wearhouse next year, after the tuxedo business did not (or could not) support the brand. eWedNewz watches as more announcements are made that can help the business– if retailers  realize the power of new, branded products are what customers are looking for– and don’t mind paying for them.

As far as IBISWorld data, eWedNewz got the company to re-visit flawed data given by the research firm to TheStreet.com that said Men’s Wearhouse rented one out of two tuxedos in the United States at the time of the story release in May, 2011.

 What do you think? Are tuxedo rentals back? Were they ever gone? Or are they ready to be buried?

 

eWedNewz

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2013

Filed Under: Anti Fairy Dust, Calvin Klein, Caterers, Data, eWedNewz, Florists, General News, Ongoing Story Coverage, Ongoing Story Investigation, Paul Pannone, Photography, Poll, Ralph Lauren, Swimwear & Bridal Stores, The Groom, tuxedos, Vera Wang Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Week of January 14th in Review

Posted on January 21, 2013 Written by Leave a Comment

 

By Paul Pannone

The Battle of the Bridal Books, namely Bridal Guide versus BRIDES, made top newZ last week, leading to some strong accusations and finger-pointing on both sides. Bridal Guide accuses BRIDES of fuzzy numbers we’ve been watching since the summer along with other sources in the wedding business.

Among the sources there is none more adamant than Jim Duhe of Bridal Guide. Duhe denounced his competitors for various reasons forcing BRIDES to respond. Duhe’s verbal assault spilled over to Facebook while BRIDES took to privately contacting advertisers accusing Bridal Guide of misleading information.

The fact that BRIDES responded at all is amazing to those who worked at the Conde’ Nast publication, citing how any Conde’ Nast property feels they’re above the market and normally shrugs off any negative publicity.

 

eWedNewz continues our investigation into this story and emerging information.

eWedNewz

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2013

Filed Under: bridal, Bridal Dresses, Bridal Guide Magazine, Bridal Magazines, BRIDES Magazine, eWedNewz, eWedNewz Exclusive, General News, Invitations, Jewelry, Men's formal wear, Ongoing Story Coverage, Ongoing Story Investigation, Photography, Promotions, Publications, tuxedos, Uncategorized, Wedding Dresses, wedding industry Tagged: , , , , , , ,

More Wedding Business Professionals are hurting than ever; Really?

Posted on January 2, 2013 Written by 2 Comments

By Paul Pannone

Yes, really; they are. The statement is in response to a story at Think Like a Bride that begins:

“I read an article recently saying that the wedding industry is in worse shape than anyone is willing to admit. Really? Then I have a slew of people lying to me. Or maybe my followers are just a little smarter than the rest.”

eWedNewz reader and wedding service provider, Mary Bower, gives her view on what is happening in the business. Coincidentally her views match countless others.

In an ongoing eWedNewz story and further discussions on Social Networks and  in every format including the Wedding Water Cooler most wedding professionals  we’ve spoken with reluctantly agree things are not good. For the few who want to dispute the findings, citing how well they’re doing– they are the exception– not the rule.

To some hopefuls who dismiss all other information, facts and opinions; subscribe to their own methods of collecting, slicing and dicing information, everything is fine or bound to get better. For some the presentation and argument they make boarders on insanity.

We’ve often quoted Christine Boulton, owner of Think Like A Bride, agreeing with many aspects of the wedding business. But many is not all. Boulton cannot dispute she works with talented, successful local vendors who can afford her services. But for the average wedding service provider–  we speak to many as an informational newZ source– the story is quite different. Many were forced to change the way they conduct their business, adapting to the shift in expectations by consumers who want what they want when they want it and refuse to pay full price. In the thousands of discussions over the past five years not one vendor says they’re doing well running their business the same way they did in the past.

Mary Bower relied to the story and had this to say:

Hi Paul,  I read your article and of course, I have to comment :)  I have a niche here in Lansing, MI where I sell wedding invitations, it’s a side business, thank goodness. I give great service, have great lines. But I believe you are seeing a faltering of the wedding industry because of the economy. Young people are being especially budget conscience these days  They are having difficulty landing good paying jobs, leave college with lots of debt (most of them) and they struggle. unlike we did in the 80′s when jobs were plentiful for us in the yuppie crowd.

I am hanging on to my business, moved it back home from a brick and mortar and am hoping for the best this 2013 wedding season.  I could not survive on invitations alone now and am branching out to do other things, such as candy buffets that may reach a bigger consumer pool other than weddings. Each year now, I often wonder what stationery company will call it quits and leave me holding the bag, like Encore did!

I am also working on a new business that is totally not wedding related to fill the gap.  These are crazy times, and the outcome will be fewer wedding professionals getting out of the business.  Some clean up will be good, as many who got into the business after 2008 thought it would sustain them. My God, have you noticed how many people suddenly became “wedding photographers”  or “cupcake bakers?”   It used to be that there was plenty of room for everyone, but now that is shrinking.

As always, I hope for a prosperous 2013, but this year, (I’m) not taking on new lines, sticking with what I have and hoping for the best!

Mary C. Bower

Occasions

Mary is one of the majority of wedding business owners that are telling it like it is on a national scale. Further exchanges with Mary say many wedding-related businesses in her area are closing and getting out, no longer able to keep holding on.

In an ongoing poll 31% of responses so-far say the wedding business is deteriorating. 20% say the wedding business is stuck in neutral.  11% feels the wedding business has not yet hit bottom for a 62% total negative connotation. On the positive side 13% says the wedding business has hit bottom and is climbing nicely. 20% of response so-far say the wedding business is recovering but very slowly.

What do you think?

eWedNewz

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2013

Filed Under: Advertising and Marketing, Anti Fairy Dust, bridal, Bridal Shops, Data, Economic news, eWedNewz, eWedNewz Exclusive, facts and figures, General News, Invitations, Photography, Poll, Research, retail, Uncategorized, wedding industry, Wedding planners, Wedding Water Cooler, wedding websites Tagged: ,

The Wedding Business Rocked by Market Facts and Truth

Posted on December 27, 2012 Written by Leave a Comment

 

By Paul Pannone

In the closing days of 2012 the wedding business is buzzing because of newZ involving major companies who are bailing out of the business, bringing investors in to shoulder the financial burden and responsibility of trying to run a profitable business in the shrinking wedding market.

Yesterday’s story, The Wedding Business in Worse Shape than First Thought, drew reaction in all social media formats and plenty of private response from industry veterans who would like to dispute the newZ– but can’t.

 

 ”I’ll also bet that few if any of the existing US manufacturers close this year or next, the number will represent an insignificant percentage of the total. Is there anyone out there who will take the bet?” says Jim Duhe.

 

Jim Duhe gave his usual response in his own style saying;

 ”Your story isn’t a cheerful launch pad for the start of the new year. Certain aspects may or may not be accurate but I’m not alone in refusing to accept that the sky isn’t falling — at least not quite yet.  The average age of couples who wed has increased each decade since the turn of the 20th century.  When I joined the bridal industry in the 1970′s, we advised advertisers that “brides are older, better educated, and more affluent than ever before in history.”  It was a documented fact in the 1970′s.  It was equally true in the 1980′s.  It was true in the 1990′s.  It was true in the first decade of the 21st century.  It’s still true today.

However, age, education, and affluence don’t necessarily mean that a death knell is replacing wedding bells or that traditional weddings no longer represent a preferable life style choice for a meaningful number of Americans. Research conducted by Bridal Guide and all other publications as well as by prominent on line bridal sites like The Knot indicates that the number of destination weddings that take place in foreign countries is substantial.

Because foreign countries are not required to report the number of US citizens who marry to the Departments of Health, Education, and Welfare, it’s difficult/virtually impossible to determine the exact number of Americans who marry annually.   Therefore, it’s difficult/virtually impossible to verify that the total number of American weddings has declined substantially in recent years.  Regardless, many people who select to have a destination wedding continue to purchase bridal apparel in this country. They still create wedding gift registries in this country.

Long range business success requires much more than keeping up with trends. It’s essential to run one step (or more) ahead of them.  Conceptually, the challenges to bridal retailers created by online bridal apparel sales in 2013 aren’t  dramatically different from those offered by direct mail purchases (JC Penney, Sears, et.al.) in the 1980′s.  However, direct mail bridal apparel had an Achilles heel that online retailers don’t have: return policies.  The vast majority of online sales are generated by companies that are headquartered in foreign countries.  These companies can’t be forced to comply with US laws regarding merchandise returns.

Because the majority of China/direct sites offer positive consumer reviews (that may or may not be complete fabrications) consumers are lulled into a sense of security in their buying decision.  Unfortunately, prominent “money back guarantees” offered by China/direct companies generally are unenforceable.  There’s little if anything that a consumer can do to secure a refund for merchandise that is unacceptable or substandard.   Unlike complaints posted on Google, Wedding Wire, and others sites, there is no place for a consumer to publicize a complaint about a China/direct web site purchase.  It’s a perfect storm for China/direct sites:  on site comments are consistently positive; there’s no way for anyone to complain publicly.

Frankly, I don’t have answers to many of the questions that plague independent bridal retailers or tuxedo rental specialists.  However, that doesn’t mean that answers don’t exist.  It may well be that the number of existing independent bridal apparel stores will suffer from attrition. That’s a distinct possibility.  However,  I’ll bet you that new bridal retailers will launch in 2013, 2014, 2015, and beyond.

Seasoned bridal industry experts predicted that there were far too many bridal manufacturers — that there would be a “fall out” in the 1970′s — in the 1980′s — in the 1990′s — in 2000.  These predictions continue today. I’ll bet that there will be more bridal brand names in 2013 than there were in 2012.  There probably will be even more in 2014.   I’ll also bet that few if any of the existing US manufacturers close this year or next, the number will represent an insignificant percentage of the total. Is there anyone out there who will take the bet?”, said Duhe.

Duhe’s statement started strong but seemed to fall asleep by its end. So did that of Christine Boulton, who called to discuss the story. Boulton proposed there are clients who are doing well in the wedding business. We never suggested there weren’t. But Boulton could not argue there are fewer wedding industry professionals doing well than there are doing terrible. In fact none of the discussions could challenge any of the central points of the story. Simply put, the increasing challenges against a shrinking (traditional) market will not lead to a happy ending.

The story dates back to 2009 when companies like David’s Bridal sought positive data, wanting to know when the wedding industry would recover. No such information existed but through hocus-pocus hypotheses (guessing) there would be a spring-back in the wedding business. To date it doesn’t seem likely.

An ongoing eWedNewz investigation concludes the data failed to include variables, including the languishing economy that will continue to plague a full recovery in spending for traditional wedding goods and services. The results, exacerbated by growing competition in all areas of the wedding business, dilutes the ability to command higher prices from consumers. The decline of over four years with no end in sight resulted in decisions by major wedding companies, including owners of David’s Bridal, Leonard Green and Associates, to divest themselves from a majority stake in the wedding business.

The statement is supported by an overnight shift since the story released. An ongoing poll feels the wedding business is deteriorating (29%), stuck in neutral (15%) or is yet to reach the bottom (13%).

What do you say?

 

 

eWedNewz

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2012

Filed Under: Anti Fairy Dust, Breaking Newz, bridal, Bridal Dresses, Bridal Magazines, Bridal Shops, Bridal Shows, catering, Data, DJ Disc Jockeys, Economic news, eWedNewz, eWedNewz Exclusive, Florists, General News, GLBT, Invitations, Jewelry, Limousines, Men's formal wear, Officiants, Ongoing Story Coverage, Ongoing Story Investigation, Paul Pannone, Photography, Poll, retail, The Groom, The Knot, tuxedos, Uncategorized, Wedding Dresses, wedding industry, Wedding Water Cooler Tagged: , , , , , ,

The Wedding Business in Worse Shape than First Thought

Posted on December 26, 2012 Written by 9 Comments

By Paul Pannone

An ongoing eWedNewz investigation shows the wedding business is in worse shape than anyone is willing to admit. Information and interviews across all channels of the business, including the part reported to be the most important; the dress business, shows severe damage caused by the collapse of the economy in 2008 and a slow recovery through 2011 and most of 2012.

Like brides, dresses come in all colors, not just white. Tuxedos have been replaced by black suits, navy and tan colors and everything you can imagine.

eWedNewz watches trends that includes the longer wait of men and women deciding to get married. The average age for first-time marriages continues to rise.

“The median age for a man’s first marriage was 28.2 years in 2010, up from 26.1 in 1990. The median age for a woman’s first marriage was 26.1 years in 2010, up from 23.9 in 1990,” according to www.infoplease.com  sourcing  U.S. Bureau of the Census information.

According to Census information the combined average age of men and women since 1960 has increased nearly 21% and has continues to rise world-wide. World trends show an even greater increase to resisting marriage. In the UK the average age for men and women hit 30 years this year citing Pew research while exploring probable causes.

Shedding tradition and traditional values continues to affect the number of marriages but also the formality of those weddings that do take place. Stylish, non-traditional weddings express the thoughts of couples who no longer want to be told what to wear, how to feel or plan their day.

Trends and shifts from normal wedding business finds those who plan to stay in the business are forced to change their operations to adapt to the shrinking numbers. Khalilah Olokunola of A Boxed Event and member of the Wedding Water Cooler shared her thoughts in the controversial forum:

“Many vendors I know have tripled up-not fine tuning their business to meet the demands of the changed times but instead (add) a whole new business . IT seems acceptable in some circles to be the baker, designer, director,planner and videographer- and no I’m not making that up there is a business that offers that.

Gone seems the days where you have to have skill and experience before you could add a title to your name. If you truly want to be successful you have to work hard, hustle hard and accept constructive criticism from more seasoned veterans. Geez I do all the time , I’m a coolie.

With brides and other “socialistas” decreasing their average budgets we all find ourselves redeveloping our business plans and offerings but still maintaining our integrity by offering the better bang for your buck,” says Khalilah.

Khalilah and others say the wedding business is flooded with services and products, challenging the pricing ability for vendors who seem to increase faster in numbers than the market shrinks. Plainly put there is no more need or room for another DJ, gown manufacturer, limousine company or any of the products to create traditional weddings. There are even too many catering facilities who’ve been forced to service a broader spectrum of events to keep rooms, kitchens and workers busy.

While investigating the story about the wedding dress business we’ve uncovered a growing number of outside sources infiltrating the business forcing manufacturers to take action. Recent advancements in the fight against pirates who’ve crippled the wedding dress business received no credit from skeptics who say the damage is too deep, too wide-spread and can never return to normal levels.

Across all channels eWedNewz watches and reports the changes taking place at places like David’s Bridal down to the smallest bridal stores who say they’re ready to throw in the towel. Decisions to sell majority equity stakes to investors like the one involving Jim’s Formal Wear become more and more common-place. Store closures servicing the wedding business are expected to increase, as manufacturers and suppliers tell eWedNewz they can no longer manage growing debt because accounts can’t meet their obligations.

Newsstand sale of bridal magazines continues to plummet giving some ammunition to pundits who say digital is killing print. But a closer look by eWedNewz shows grandfather wedding websites like TheKnot.com are also taking a pounding. eWedNewz exposé  stories about scandal, sexual debauchery and reported mismanagement of resources culminated in the death of morph digital/print companies like Get Married. So-far the rebirth of the company failed to come close in recapturing the glory the original launch created before the crash in 2008, now that the wedding business is older and wiser about the fairy-dust that surrounds them.

Planners of all sizes, including celebrity, say they’re looking to exit the business or expand into a broader range of services, no longer able to cut costs or charge enough fees to make it worth their while. Even “Wedding Market Gurus”, A.K.A, snake oil salespeople, are finding it difficult, if not impossible to charge speaking fees they did just a few short years ago. Most avoid our questions and keep pounding their drum of bullshit, acting as though everything is fine, while others see the changes and become alarmist, claiming to have the answer in some seminar or class.

Even hopefuls who thought the addition of Same-sex marriages to the wedding market, backed by the leader of the free world, say the events has so-far been just a small blip on the screen.

Olokunola again gave her view on how some of the troubles could be fixed:

“When the people who govern wedding magazine, trade shows and associations get real maybe– just maybe– it’ll get better. It’ll make it harder for scammers to scam and players to play and when we stick together as a whole. I believe a shift will take place towards an up direction and its there that the industry can begin again,” she said in the WWC forum.

Christine Boulton of Think Like A Bride told the Cooler how some companies are successful in the very tough business climate.

“There has been some serious restructuring in our business over the last four years. Business owners have changed their thinking; they are going after new markets and they have stepped away from an attitude of arrogance. In short, they stopped thinking of themselves as “artist” and begun to see themselves as businesses.”

Endless discussions clearly show the end of the wedding business as it once was. Is it time to stop discussing and look at what the information clearly tells us?

 

In an ongoing poll 32% of respondents so-far say the wedding business is rebounding but slowly.

What do you say?

 

eWedNewz

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2012

Filed Under: Advertising and Marketing, Anti Fairy Dust, bridal, Bridal Dresses, Bridal Guide Magazine, Bridal Magazines, Bridal Shops, Bridal Shows, BRIDES Magazine, catering, Celebrity, Data, DIY, DJ Disc Jockeys, Economic news, eWedNewz, eWedNewz Exclusive, Florists, General News, GLBT, Invitations, Jewelry, Limousines, Martha Stewart, Men's formal wear, Ongoing Story Coverage, Ongoing Story Investigation, Paul Pannone, Photography, Poll, Promotions, Publications, Research, retail, Social Media, The Groom, The Internet, The Knot, Trade shows, tuxedos, Uncategorized, Wedding Dresses, wedding industry, Wedding Industry Events, Wedding planners, Wedding Water Cooler, wedding websites Tagged: , , , , , , , ,

Google Gets Involved in Piracy Activity

Posted on August 14, 2012 Written by 1 Comment

By Paul Pannone

A long and cumbersome legal battle against online piracy just got easier now that Google has taken a stance on the matter.

According to a New York Times story;

Google said that beginning next week its algorithms would take into account the number of valid copyright removal notices Web sites have received. Web sites with multiple, valid complaints about copyright infringement may appear lower in Google search results.

 

Steve Lang continues to work hard in search of his Happy Ending to online piracy and stolen property.

 

 

Online reaction was mostly positive although some remarks said the move is only for media copyright infringement. But everyone agreed it’s the first step in the right direction.

Retailer Justin Willison responded, “Google has removed a bunch of counterfeit products from “google shopping”. I often look up the items I have listed on our site slbshop.com and I’ve noticed quite a decline in “knockoff” Alfred Angelo & Liz fields products. Still some out there for pretty maids though. I guess vendors can report stores listed in the google marketplace (google shopping tab) and google will pull the items from their merchant center feeds.”

The wedding business now finds themselves at war with online pirates. Since an assembly of wedding gown manufacturers mobilized to fend off the assault in March progress continues to block Chinese abusers. An organization created and headed by Steve Lang follows the path created by other major organizations that have slowly but surly closed loopholes in the wild west called the internet.

This month a lawsuit filed in New York by the American Bridal & Prom Industry Association put Lang and his team in the real game and has reportedly caused some abusers to throw up their hands and surrender. eWedNewz continues to investigate the story.

Reaction to the Google decision from Lang was nothing short of gleeful, knowing the world’s number one search engine will have a positive impact in the fight.

“This is all part of  a process and steps that needed to be taken; to have sat around and hoped for a happy ending would not have happened,” according to Lang.

 

Do you think the wedding business has a chance of stopping online piracy?

 

 

 eWedNewz

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2012

Filed Under: Bridal Dresses, Bridal Shops, eWedNewz, General News, Ongoing Story Coverage, Ongoing Story Investigation, Photography, The Internet, Uncategorized, wedding industry, wedding websites Tagged: , , ,

CTO and Marry Caribbean Gives Couple a fantasy Wedding, with a little Help from their Friends

Posted on June 19, 2012 Written by Leave a Comment

 

By Paul Pannone

On June 6th, 2012, John Gordon André Millard and Tricialouise Gurley tied the knot at New York’s Vanderbilt Hall, Grand Central Station. Millard, from Montreal, Canada, and Gurley, from Baltimore, Maryland, USA, said “I do” during Caribbean Week in June. The two met on the internet in July 2011 and were selected after a contest promoted on www.MarryCaribbean.com, the internet’s most complete listing of Caribbean destination wedding and honeymoon resources, gave them a wedding most couple can only dream of.

 

New York’s Vanderbilt Hall inside Grand Central Station was the setting for this year’s wedding.

 

As any wedding Coordinator will tell you, they can only be as good as the vendors selected. Jacqueline Johnson was in charge of selecting the vendors and tapped the best she could find in their categories:

Honeymoon to St. Kitts courtesy of Marriott Hotel/American Airlines. The wedding gown provided by Steve Lang/Mon Cheri The men’s formal wear and accessories by 1888MyTuxes.com/Galleria Favors and Invitations. Wedding Rings by Munalichi bridal & Garvey Lundy Jewelers. The First Anniversary trip – Jamaica/Jewels Dunns River Resort & Spa/Island Routes Catamaran Cruise. Procreation Trip: Lighthouse Bay Resort. Photography by Curacao/Roger Gibbs. The Bridal bouquet/Flowers The British Virgin Islands. The wedding cake designed by St. Kitts. Glasses/plates/forks – Global Bridal Group. The Officiant (Anguilla) was Judge Sam Walker. St.Vincent & The Grenadines/Abena Amory-Powell supplied the music and the hotel stay in New York courtesy Islands of the Bahamas.

 

….and they lived happily ever after.

 

According to Jacqueline Johnson this was the first year of full co-operation by every Caribbean Country since the global crisis.

“We’re very encouraged by how things are progressing and I’m so very happy that we were able to make a very special couple as happy as they are. They were lovely to work with and so were all the vendors that contributed to a truly fine affair ,” said Johnson.

Johnson told eWedNewz plans for next year’s wedding are already underway, even though it’s a long way off. Next stop is Chicago next week for Johnson, as she continues her grueling schedule of events to promote the Caribbean and the premier destination for honeymoon couples.

 

 

eWedNewz

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2012

Filed Under: Advertising and Marketing, bridal, Bridal Dresses, Bridal Magazines, eWedNewz, Florists, General News, Jewelry, Men's formal wear, Officiants, Photography, Promotions, Publications, tuxedos, wedding industry, Wedding Industry Events, wedding websites

Brides of Color Find a Place at Munaluchi

Posted on June 13, 2012 Written by 2 Comments

 

By Paul Pannone

At Caribbean week in New York I sat down with Chike Nwobu, founder of Munaluchi Bride, beginning a week of endeavors that culminated with Mr. Nwobu joining the Wedding Water Cooler. My new friend Chike soon learned the Cooler is a sometimes treacherous place where at least one– sometimes two or more members say something so raw and outlandish that it sparks discussions leading to a favorable conclusion.

“I’m liking the Water Cooler overall and plan to get more involved after listening to how it all works,” said Chike.

 

The ink is black, the page is white; together we learn to read and write. Besides, all wedding couples are beautiful on their special day.

Kristen and Alex photographed by K and K Photography

I met Chike at several industry events including the historic meeting of all major wedding media publications in New York. Chike will be the first to say it’s important to have an open mind and support major offensives against the pirating of wedding dress designs and images in the United States.

Chike stands about 6’6 with an intimidating frame but once I got to know him I felt all the sensitivity towards the injustices of society and why he’s set off to give Brides of Color a place to find all the resources she could ask for. But the forum is not only for the color black; or white, or red or yellow. Chike’s message transcends all (implied) barriers between human beings. In the end, we’re all mainly water anyway.

But for our purposes we’ll stick with the eloquent response Chike gave to Jim Duhe of Bridal Guide and why he created Munaluchi Bride magazine.

“As much as we have progressed and integrated, one thing we found in our own studies is that each and everyone of us still carry our culture within, as we grow. The content of a publication actually sell more than the cover. At Munaluchi we have a slogan; For the bride who craves culture and style. If you flip through the pages of my publications you will see how we have integrated the modem women who still wants to incorporate culture into her wedding.

The African-American market has really grown within the past 30 years. What we currently have on the streets is an integration of African/Caribbean’s and African-American, bound by the strong desire to hold on to culture  we feed on.  It’s all about the Bride and what she is looking for,” according to Chike.

Chike is well-aware of the difficulties in producing such an alternative product in mainstream society. But Chike realizes not all brides are blonde-haired, blue-eyed and five-foot-two. As illustrated by Angelina Jolie’s wish to attach the word ethnic to her wedding to Brad Pitt. According to the story the couple agree on the essentials but Angelina wants to add facets of world diversity. Whatever her reasoning is– it’s her wedding.

Discussions with Chike revert back to tolerance and understanding for the wishes of the bride– not how society boxes her in or how she is supposed to feel.

“My understanding of the failed publications is that they sold the same content like any other. Munaluchi is a teaching  tool  for  the American bride– regardless of color. They just might  just want to see other couples that happen to look like them; with the sophistication  of a bridal publications showcasing a Vera Wang gown, a Tiffany Jewelry and more,” says Chike.

 

The latest issue of Munaluci Bride featuring Preston Bailey on the cover. Since we started this story we’ve shown the magazine to women of all color. White Italian, Latino, Jewish women say the magazine is not like thumbing through a typical bridal (yawn) book.  

 

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2012

Filed Under: Anti Fairy Dust, Bridal Magazines, General News, Photography, Publications, The Groom, Uncategorized, Wedding Dresses, wedding industry, Wedding Water Cooler, wedding websites Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Pirated Products a Concern to many Wedding Business Owners

Posted on June 7, 2012 Written by Leave a Comment

By Paul Pannone

The response to a new organization promising to protect, defend and uphold the rights of wedding business owners grows stronger with every mention of the American Bridal and Prom Industry Association. The concept for the organization originally started because of the rampant abuses experienced in the bridal dress business. But an ongoing eWedNewz investigation shows the mission of the new organization is to bring relief, benefits and services to the entire wedding industry at large.

 

Camille Thomas, owner of Illusions Bridal Veils, says she’s been trying fight off online pirates on her own for years. Thomas says she welcomes the help that’s on its way.

An eWedNewz story in March, 2012, listed suspected websites that pirate merchandise, images or both, hurting legitimate businesses. Many reports from business owners say they’ve tried to fight off the abusive practices on their own but to no avail.

Camille Thomas, owner of  Illusions Bridal Veils in Fruita, Colorado responded to the eWedNewz story saying;

“I own Illusions Bridal Veils and these businesses have stolen my pictures as well as many of the other websites listed above.  Very frustrating because this hurts my business and all of my customers business.  I have been trying to get all of these types of sites to remove my pictures for almost 2 years.  Most of them don’t care so the pictures remain.  I went to great expense to take new pictures last year and I am sure it won’t be long until they steal those too,” said Camille.

An ongoing eWedNewz poll shows business owner support an organization that would help them fight off piracy. Steve Lang, the driving force behind the campaign and new organization, told eWedNewz he envisions an organization that would do much more.

“Of course we would fight against piracy; but the industry needs much more than just that. They need valuable information and tools to operate in today’s new business environment.”

According to Lang the bylaws and structure of the organization forms a cohesive way for members and supporters to work together and accomplish what the fragmented wedding business will never achieve on its own. Pooled resources and proper legal guidance are part of the organization, guided by leadership from successful business people like Lang.

Camille Thomas added her support for Lang and what he’s doing for the industry;

“I was so happy to see that Steve Lang has started to fight back against the chinese businesses who are killing our wedding industry.  They have absolutely no regard for laws or the fact that they are stealing other people’s images to sell their own merchandise.  It is impossible for my customers to compete with these businesses when they are selling the same merchandise for next to nothing.  This issue has been the main problem in my business for the past couple years and I will gladly stand behind anyone who has the knowledge and resources to fight this,” Camille told eWedNewz.

The American Bridal and Prom Industry Association has over a half million dollars in cash and media commitments to fund the campaign and organization. According to Lang, the legal team has not accessed any of the money in the coffer; they’ve used their own time and resources and those of Mon Cheri to bootstrap the launch.

The ABPIA meets today to ratify board members, finalize bylaws and other matters including a website to share information with its members.

 

 

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Filed Under: Anti Fairy Dust, bridal, Bridal Dresses, Bridal Magazines, Bridal Shops, Current Events, DJ Disc Jockeys, eWedNewz, Florists, General News, Invitations, Jewelry, Limousines, Men's formal wear, Officiants, Ongoing Story Coverage, Ongoing Story Investigation, Photography, Poll, Promotions, Proms, retail, Social Media, The Groom, The Internet, Trade shows, tuxedos, Uncategorized, Wedding Dresses, wedding industry, wedding websites Tagged: , , , , ,

American Bridal and Prom Industry Association gets ready to Launch

Posted on May 30, 2012 Written by 4 Comments

By Paul Pannone

eWedNewz has learned of a new association of wedding industry manufacturers and retailers that will include all segments of the business. The organization is the result of a raging war against off-shore sources poaching American consumers and disrupting the wedding gown business.

eWedNewz has learned the support for the new organization garnered in a relatively short time  led to the expansion beyond the dress business. Plans to roll out and run the organization begins this week, as the board assembles to discuss details.

 

Will the IBMA be replaced by the ABPIA?

 

According to sources familiar with the story the board will include Bob Cahoon of Maggie Sottero  and other notable wedding industry members, including decision-makers from the Knot. Retailers for the board are also being considered and finalized at the first meeting this month.

The head of the group, Steve Lang, confirmed the launch and promised a more in-depth interview when all the facts are assembled. eWedNewz readers want to know what happened to the extensive coverage surrounding the war on Chinese websites that began back in March.

“You won’t be disappointed by waiting a week to get all the details, after we work them out at our meeting,” said Lang in an email exchange.

Since returning from a trip to China, visiting 27 factories that make products for Mon Cheri the flow of information was halted. Lang came under criticism by other manufacturers trying to launch their own offensive campaigns against piracy. But with the newZ of the new organization and a war chest of over a half-million dollars, evenly split between hard cash and media commitment value, sources feel all the other attempts will be consolidated under the new organization.

In past discussions Lang told eWedNewz he is disappointed in the IBMA’s lack of performance since its relaunch in late 2011. Since the start Lang told eWN he envisioned a broader wedding industry organization that could include benefits of membership to all segments of the business, not just dresses.

What do you think?

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2012

Filed Under: bridal, Bridal Dresses, Bridal Magazines, catering, Florists, General News, Invitations, Jewelry, Limousines, Men's formal wear, Officiants, Ongoing Story Coverage, Photography, Poll, Promotions, Proms, retail, Social Media, The Groom, The Internet, The Knot, Travel, tuxedos, Uncategorized, Wedding Dresses, wedding industry, wedding websites Tagged: , , , , ,
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