PRESS RELEASE: Jim’s Formal Wear Partners with Armory Capital

Posted on December 21, 2012 Written by Leave a Comment

For Immediate Release                               

Contact:  Steve Davis  President & COO

618-224-9211

stevedavis@jimsfw.com 

Jim’s Formal Wear Partners with Armory Capital,

Maintaining Family Ownership and Securing Bright Company Future

ST. LOUIS (January 7, 2013) — Jim’s Formal Wear, the world’s largest wholesale formal wear rental company, announced today a partnership with Armory Capital of Champaign, Ill. This partnership represents a merger of two strong family businesses and will provide Jim’s Formal Wear the capital for future growth opportunities.

“One of the most important times for a family business comes when it’s time for one generation to help the next move into owning and leading the business, and it is now time for my son, Steve Davis, to lead this company into the future,” said Gary Davis, Chief Executive Officer. “Frequently, a transition like this involves new financing arrangements, and we are fortunate to have Armory Capital partner with us because they share our values. With the merger of these two family-owned companies, it’s ‘business as usual’ for Jim’s Formal Wear.”

Jim’s Formal Wear is headquartered in Trenton, Ill., in a state-of-the-art, 102,000-square-foot facility.  The company employs over 600 people. The company also has 9 other regional service centers located throughout the United States.

The company enjoys a history of growth by acquiring other companies or operations that are a good fit with Jim’s Formal Wear business. “This partnership with Armory Capital will ensure that the resources are available when those opportunities present themselves,” Gary said.

Armory Capital is the family office for the Meyer family in Champaign, Ill. A family office is a private company with family values and culture that manages investments for an individual family and helps them diversify by investing in and holding other companies. The Armory family office includes four people from Champaign, Ill.

Steve Davis, COO of Jim’s Formal Wear, said that the Davis family was very careful in interviewing and selecting Armory Capital as the new financial partner for Jim’s Formal Wear.

“One of the top priorities was to ensure that our new partner would maintain our culture and the high level of commitment to sharing the company’s success with our team members and providing quality merchandise and service to our customers.”

Steve said they also wanted a company that invests for the long term, and Armory Capital met all of these criteria.

“As a family investment company, Armory Capital wants their portfolio company to grow, but they aren’t looking for a quick turn. Their preference is to hold investments and most importantly, they count on the existing management team to run the business because that is a big part of the reason they select an investment such as Jim’s Formal Wear.”

The financial arrangement with Armory Capital enables the Davis family to continue to have a significant investment in Jim’s Formal Wear. Steve Davis will transition from the role of President and COO to CEO over the next 12 months. Gary Davis will work closely with Steve during the transition and then enter into a long-term consulting contract to help with the transition and provide continuity.

About Jim’s Formal Wear

Jim Davis built Jim’s Formal Wear from a men’s apparel shop established by his father in 1922. Today, Jim’s Formal Wear is the largest wholesale formalwear rental company in the world, with 10 strategically located service centers that total more than 300,000 square feet of office, production and warehouse space. The company employs over 600 people and is privileged to serve nearly 6,000 menswear stores, bridal shops and other formalwear-related retailers in the country. Jim’s Formal Wear’s mission is “Doing whatever it takes to create the ultimate formal wear experience.”

About Armory Capital

Armory Capital is the family office for the Meyer family in Campaign, Ill. It is a private equity group founded by Jacob Ambrose, Rusty Freeland and Greg Lykins, in association with the August C. Meyer, Jr. family. The firm’s members have years of experience understanding the challenges and opportunities facing business owners and management teams. They believe in long-term partnerships based on mutual trust and integrity. The family has a track record of investing in and holding other companies, with deep and long roots with all of these companies.

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Filed Under: Breaking Newz, eWedNewz Exclusive, General News, Men's formal wear, Ongoing Story Coverage, Ongoing Story Investigation, Paul Pannone, Press Release, Proms, tuxedos, Uncategorized Tagged: , , , , , , , , ,

PayPal Enforces Temporary Court Order; Cuts Off Funds to Pirate Websites

Posted on November 29, 2012 Written by 4 Comments

 

By Paul Pannone

PayPal is not being as friendly as the name suggests, especially to off-shore websites cited for piracy issues. eWedNewz has learned that over $60,000 dollars has been frozen in compliance with a recent court order that empowers the legal team representing the The American Bridal and Prom Industry Association (ABPIA) to do so.

 

PayPal recovers $60,000 dollars enforcing a court order won by the efforts of ABPIA.

 

The head of the organization, Steve Lang, shared the information and a response from one of the defendants caught in the sweep. The response, addressed to Craig Hilliard, a senior partner at Stark and Stark in Princeton, New Jersey, shows the result of the court order and how it affects the people on the other end of the world. The response appears exactly as written by the defendant, including all grammatical errors:

Dear Mr. Hilliard,

How are you? This is XXX who is a user from paypal, Sorry to interrupt. I just received an email from paypal regarding of lawsuit filed, may i ask what’s the exact lawsuit filed? Paypal never show to me and let me contact you.i bought the website from a designer, and selling dresses for more than 3 years, no one complaint about my products, and paypal never inform me that my products have a law issue. i had no idea about that.

By now i lost all the money, i have a house debt, 2 kids and a family to feed, so please help me, tell me how to do. i would close my website and swear never sell these products again. Waiting for your reply and sincerely regards. Thank you very much.

The plea is the first of what is expected to be many more to follow now that the organization obtained the court order to shut websites and seize funds from all sources, including PayPal.

“It’s a shame that it has to come down to this but given the choice between their families and ours here in the United States one has to lose. How long have our families suffered because of the actions?” asks Steve Lang, president of ABPIA.

In a recent statement Lang estimates the wedding dress business bled over $150 million dollars in lost sales and an undetermined amount in intellectual property theft and damages. In an attempt to silence some of his critics Lang moves forward with his plan to hunt down perpetrators and stop them in their tracks. But recent discoveries by this newZ source finds a reluctance to support the impassioned, sometimes fiery Lang.

According to Lang he’s become thick-skinned to some of the criticism and negativity thrown at him by detractors. Lang told eWedNewz he will not relent in his mission to protect the industry and create an organization that will enable small businesses to buy affordable life insurance for its employees.

“First thing’s first; the rampant abuses that were allowed to exist must be stopped. Once we hit these people in their wallet they’ll know we mean business. We will see what comes after that,” according to Lang.

In strong support of the movement Jim Duhe of Bridal Guide wrote a 12 paragraph statement for an eWedNewz story outlining how consumers must be protected from the piracy. According to Duhe brides are just average consumers in search of a bargain, calling for a united front of wedding industry professions to guide them.

In response a new addition to the Wedding Water Cooler, Jacqui Wadsworth, had this to say;

“I’m with Jim Duhe on this one. In order to truly beat the online hacks, we need round table communication. When you can exclude the consumer from your communication, that’s the day your business is doomed. If you’re a manufacturer who thinks your retailers aren’t smart enough to do a good business or if you’re a retailer who thinks your brides aren’t smart enough to understand the problem, you have effectively begun strangling your business. If what you’re saying isn’t being heard, maybe you need to listen to what your customers are saying, and then come up with a new plan of action. It helps to try and “observe” as you watch and listen, which I will admit can be painful because many times you have to set
aside your belief systems on how your business works and start over. We’re living in a new world of bridal/wedding sales and changes have to made in how we all do business.

Per Albert Einstein, the definition of insanity is doing the same things over and over again and expecting different results. This seems to be particularly true in the wedding industry, with its high school mentality of whose better than whom, which shop has the longest run, which manufacturer will let you carry their gowns,
retailers who treat their brides as “less than” to make a sale, our entire industry has a nasty propensity to look down on others. This propensity separates us from each other and is at the heart of why we have a hard time uniting. Until we all realize we’re on the same team and make a concerted effort to work together, the online counter fitters are going to be hard to beat.

There is hope in the form of the ABPIA. I applaud them and Steve Lang for taking the first giant step in saving our collective businesses. I will also pass the word along in every way I can to make sure more bridal businesses get involved, as well as related wedding businesses. What’s happened to us is only a little step away from what’s going to happen to the associated businesses from bridal shows to wedding favors. We’re all connected and it’s time we started acting accordingly.”

Other independent bridal store owners responding to the coverage support Lang’s efforts, denouncing other manufacturers who have not yet committed to the campaign. Many say they’re waiting for more information and how the $100 dollar price of membership could help them find a health care solution for their employees.

An ongoing eWedNewz Poll shows 18% of respondents saying they would support a wedding industry organization like ABPIA if it was properly run. 15% said they would support the organization if it offered good benefits. 10% said they would support the organization if it wasn’t too expensive. 49% said they would support the organization if it hit on all three points. Only 5% said they would not support a wedding industry organization.

 

What do you say?

 

 

Join the ABPIA

 

 

eWedNewz

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2012

Filed Under: Anti Fairy Dust, bridal, Bridal Dresses, Bridal Shows, eWedNewz, eWedNewz Exclusive, Ongoing Story Coverage, Ongoing Story Investigation, Proms, retail, The Internet, Uncategorized, Wedding Dresses, wedding industry, Wedding Water Cooler, wedding websites Tagged: , , , , , , ,

Educating Consumers Against Online Pirates is the Key to Winning the War

Posted on November 29, 2012 Written by 4 Comments

By Paul Pannone

An ongoing eWedNewz investigation shifts from the usual wedding industry politics and debate of whether Steve Lang– or anybody– should be at the forefront of a movement to stem the growing concerns involving the online sale of knock-off merchandise. Lang is bashed by a rising number of pundits that say they have a better way to fight the fight but mysteriously stay behind the scenes, dropping comments and criticism without all the facts.

Industry members who’ve supported Lang from the start step forward to make public statements supporting the way he has carried forward plans outlined at the start of the campaign and remains focused on seeing them through. But the movement could face greater opposition and possibly stall, as pledges and promises slow.

 

The American Bridal & Prom Industry association faces political pressure by pundits who can’t get past their distaste for the organization’s leader.

 

Lang critics say they doubt his sincerity and refuse to take his words for face value, choosing instead to dream up reasons why he should not be supported. Meanwhile the real victims– consumers– are being ripped off by websites that fail to provide the service and quality deserved by brides planning the biggest day of their life.

In the Wedding Water Cooler discussions focused on the Consumer part of the issue faulting them for their greed and wanting the highest quality for the cheapest prices. Politics aside some of the members including Jim Duhe, one of the supporters for Lang’s campaign, defended the average online buyer.

“Who are these consumers who buy dresses online — sight unseen?  They’re ordinary people — not unlike you and me — except that they know nothing about the bridal retail business.  Many don’t want to “negotiate” a price.  They just want to pay a price that they can afford for something that they want — without haggling and without negotiation.   They are people who aren’t familiar with custom ordered merchandise or the meaning of the term.  Many  confuse “custom order” with custom made.  They are people who have sticker shock when they look at the price tag on the gown they want at a bridal shop.  Their bridal gown is the most expensive single garment that some of these women ever have or will purchase.  They’re people who usually shop at Macy’s or Target or Walmart.  Many aren’t accustomed to the “service” that a bridal shop provides and therefore don’t understand it or place no value upon it.

To many of us in the business, a $500 gown is inexpensive.  These people — just like you and me — think that $500 is a lot of money for a dress that will be worn for just a few hours.  If they feel that way about a $500 gown, how do you think they feel about a $2,500 gown?  They are people who are becoming increasingly more comfortable with buying many things online and being pleased with their purchase and/or the dollars that they saved by shopping online.  They may be fools for trusting that the gown in the picture will be the gown that they can own for $99 — but — they’re our fools — they’re our customers — they’re our bread and butter.  Believe it or not, they can and do survive without us.  However, we can’t survive without them.  It’s up to us to save them from themselves.

When your customer visits one of the counterfeit web sites, she sometimes can read an endless number of comments by other “consumers” who report positive experiences with merchandise purchased from this site.   She has become accustomed to review sites that provide legitimate consumer comments.  Your customer has no reason to believe that reviews on a counterfeit site are phony.  She wants to believe what she reads.  Your customers always will view your warning about counterfeit sites with some degree of suspicion.  After all it’s your role to sell her an expensive gown — not to recommend a web site that will undermine your profit.   The gravity of this situation is compounded by the fact that counterfeit gown sites aren’t reviewed by Wedding Wire or any of the other retail review sites.  More importantly, the review sites provide no warning to consumers about the likelihood of fraud when buying from the counterfeit sites.

While this situation represents a bloody war, that doesn’t mean that each of us can’t or shouldn’t play a role in fighting and winning a few of the battles.  Steve is off to a great start and continues to play a crucial role.  He has taken the first step.  However, none of us should count on any one resource to fight and win all the battles.

For starters, manufacturers should issue a strong policy statement on their web sites regarding the the dangers of buying any gown from an unauthorized dealer or on ANY web site.   Sounds easy?  No.  It isn’t.  The majority of manufacturers sell to retailers who sell their gowns on line.  Manufacturers don’t necessarily want to admit that they sell to online retailers — even if they are legitimate.  Moreover, how can a consumer differentiate between a legitimate online retailer and a counterfeit retailer if the manufacturer is incapable of doing it?  Unfortunately, many manufacturers have unclean hands.

I have no sway with retail review sites.  However, the manufacturers who support them with advertising dollars definitely have a voice.  The second step is to insure that ALL review sites issue warning statements about internet gown purchases and counterfeit web sites.   It isn’t enough for a single manufacturer to demand this of the review sites.   A large group of important manufacturers should speak with the same voice and offer a consolidated front.

Similarly, all bridal publications — both regional and national — should include statements warning consumers about the dangers of internet gown purchases.  Ideally, publications should include this information on their web sites as well.  This is easy enough and most of the major players already have agreed to cooperate — but most isn’t ALL.

Third . . . all bridal show operations should be prepared to issue statements about internet gown purchases and counterfeit web sites.  This should be a standard statement in every show program and on every show website.

Fourth . . . all bridal retailers should include a statement on their web sites regarding internet gown purchases and counterfeit web sites.  Rather than steer away from the topic, retailers should address the issue as part of every sales pitch — address it as an objection to closing the sale.

Fifth . . . every bridal publication and bridal web site should publish any and all negative statements made by consumers regarding internet and counterfeit gown purchases.  Ideally, every bridal blog should carry a statement about internet gown sales and counterfeit gown sites as well.

If you can think of any other way to publicize this problem, I certainly wouldn’t be offended by your making an addition to this list.  Some of the most gifted and brilliant people in the industry read Paul Pannone’s NewZ stories.  They don’t always agree with them — but they read them.  It’s time to involve all of them in addressing this problem.  Again . . . if you’re not willing to be a part of the solution, you are definitely a part of the problem.

Rather than dismiss the consumer who is burned by a counterfeit gown purchase, we should all embrace them and offer sincere condolences for the death of their innocence as an internet shopper.  Be prepared not to win every argument on this topic.  After all, there are warnings on every cigarette package but people still smoke,” according to Duhe.

Duhe mentions “most is not all” when it comes to participation, leading eWedNewz back to the political portion of the debate. eWedNewz investigates further and found major manufacturers who have not come on board and have stopped communicating with Lang. In one case an original pledge of $50,000 dollars shrunk to only $10,000 from the IBMA. The organization continues to hold on to over $250,000 dollars in funds collected over its existence.

In the interim eWedNewz discovered Lang intends to make good on his original plan to provide affordable health care to all size wedding industry business members through the ABPIA organization umbrella. Lang told eWedNewz he is interviewing insurance companies who may qualify to provide health care to the group members, making the $100 membership fee more than reasonable.

Overnight, voters who feel there is a fair-to-excellent chance of beating online piracy in the wedding business dropped two points, down from 75% to 73%. 16% of poll results so far say it will be an impossible  task.

What do you think?

 

Join the ABPIA

eWedNewz

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2012

Filed Under: Anti Fairy Dust, Bridal Dresses, Bridal Magazines, Bridal Shops, Bridal Shows, eWedNewz Exclusive, General News, Ongoing Story Coverage, Ongoing Story Investigation, Paul Pannone, Proms, Publications, retail, The Internet, Uncategorized, Wedding Dresses, wedding industry, Wedding Water Cooler, wedding websites, Wedding Wire Tagged: , , , , , ,

Call To Action by ABPIA Head Rallies the Wedding Business

Posted on November 28, 2012 Written by Leave a Comment

By Paul Pannone

In an ongoing eWedNewz story the American Bridal and Prom Industry Association and management has once again called together  its biggest supporters who have a stake in the success or failure of the wedding business. This time the call goes out to media sources who met in New York in April, 2012, putting aside the competitiveness that separates them for the common interest that binds them.

As a major advertiser Steve Lang was able to assemble the most notable media sources in the wedding business. It’s now time for the promises made to be fulfilled, as the war on online thievery heats up.

 

The call to action comes at the heels of the battle victory won this month where a New Jersey court decision handed down a temporary injunction against the most blatant offenders online and paved the way to a permanent order expected in the near future.

eWedNewz obtained the following release but decided to truncate the last part which we will explain at the end.

 

In the truncated part of the release Lang assembled estimated figures of the number of “units” lost to knock-off websites and attached a monetary value of over $150 million dollars in lost revenue to the retail/wholesale dress business.

 

Jim Duhe, VP at Bridal Guide, was among the first to pledge support and educate the consumer against the perils of online ordering. Jim’s constituents, colleagues and competitors are also included in the fight.

 

eWedNewz has learned media sources that attended the meeting in New York that pledged their support intend to make good on their promise, including Bridal Guide Magazine. VP at Bridal Guide, Jim Duhe, issued the following statement after the ABPIA release;

“We have Steve Lang to thank for this important advance.  It certainly wouldn’t have happened without him.  However, the problem is far from solved.  Every day brings new web sites and new threats to our businesses. Addressing the problem requires constant and consistent work by each and every one of us.

Bridal Guide and all other major bridal publications and websites are joining hands to publish warnings about illegal cyber retailers. We’ve put our competitive differences aside to work together to help. You can expect to see ads in print and online designed to urge consumers to think twice before ordering a gown online from an online crook.”

In the ongoing eWedNewz investigation the wedding business’ efforts dovetail into a larger sweep against online piracy.

According to the JDJ Journal, “Authorities working together in the project included the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HIS), law enforcement agencies from Britain, Belgium, Denmark, France and Romania , and the Europol. The HIS seized 101 domains while the rest were seized by European authorities. The operation was coordinated by the ICE HIS-led National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center (IPR Center) in Washington D.C.”

Throughout the entire story Steve Lang kept his supporters and eWedNewz informed with up-to-the-minute information and private background information. Part of the history involves Lang working with government agencies and officials who, until now, say they had limited power against the off-shore assault against American companies. Because of Lang’s efforts an ongoing poll by this newZ source shows growing optimism to a favorable result– not totally eliminating piracy– but at least keeping it from growing out of control.

Right now over 75% of results so-far feel the wedding business has a fair-to-excellent chance of  beating online piracy. 16% so-far say it’s impossible.

What do you think?

Join the ABPIA

eWedNewz

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2012

Filed Under: Anti Fairy Dust, Breaking Newz, Bridal Dresses, Bridal Guide Magazine, BRIDES Magazine, facts and figures, Ongoing Story Coverage, Ongoing Story Investigation, Paul Pannone, Proms, Research, retail, The Internet, Uncategorized, Wedding Dresses, wedding industry, wedding websites Tagged: , , , ,

American Bridal and Prom Industry Association Wins Temporary Restraining Order Against Website Thieves

Posted on November 20, 2012 Written by 3 Comments

 

By Paul Pannone

 

The American Bridal and Prom Industry Association (ABPIA) scored a major win in the battle against online piracy of design and intellectual property of wedding dresses. A Temporary Restraining Order was granted by the United States District Court of New Jersey paving the way to a permanent injunction, as the organization’s legal team continues on a fast-track towards their goal.

An assembly of wedding media sources in New York gathered together to support the efforts of the  American Bridal and Prom Industry Association to stop the rampant abuses of online thieves.

 Founder and president of the organization, Steve Lang, issued a statement to members of the wedding media who met in New York City in April, 2012. Under Lang’s direction the purpose of the meeting was to coordinate the distribution of timely and accurate  information about the campaign to the wedding industry, hoping to stem the runaway thievery that has plagued the dress business in recent history.

Lang updated the group with the following information;

Dear Media and Mart Partners,

As president of the American Bridal and Prom Industry Association (ABPIA), I am thrilled to bring good news for Thanksgiving.  The US Federal Court issued a TRO against the defendant counterfeit websites  cited in our lawsuit. This restraining order now allows us to seize funds, attack and seize websites and to work with US Customs and Homeland Security to stop illegal shipments arriving daily on our shores.

We went after the worst sites and we will add more sites now that we have a wide open door in the courts. The 40 sites we attacked and were victorious against in this first battle will now allow us to move against the two or three thousand sites out there. We are not the only industry afflicted by this and long-term solutions will need federal legislation. This too we are working on.

We will also go after Paypal, Google , Shippers and other conduits these people use to get goods into the country.

More details will be forthcoming.  I thank you for your continued support and I urge you to do more.  We will see 500,000 units stolen from us in 2012 and hopefully we will cut that in 2013.

The work is far from done and I look for more help. Many major manufacturers have contributed nothing to the effort. Not a dime.   These pirates hurt all of us. My company has put in over six figures consisting of $25K in cash and countless hours of work. I have a dedicated manager level employee working full-time on the effort and I have split my responsibilities to concentrate a part of each work day on the fight.

The units we are collectively bleeding as an industry represent approximate wholesale price ranges from $90 on bridesmaids to $400 on moderate Bridals.  If we strike a weighted average of even $150 per lost unit in wholesale volume, which might be low, we have lost $75 million in volume as an industry.   We cannot afford to bleed like this.

Please consider how else you can help.  The industry is a connected circle; what hits the manufacturers eventually affects everyone.

A current poll shows a majority of respondents feel there is a fair to excellent chance of beating online piracy (66% total) while 15% feel the chances are fair to poor.

What do you think?

eWedNewz

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2012

Filed Under: bridal, Bridal Dresses, eWedNewz, General News, Ongoing Story Coverage, Proms, retail, The Internet, Uncategorized, Wedding Dresses, wedding industry, wedding websites Tagged: , , ,

Hearst Data Shows Young Lady Makes the Decision for Prom Fashion and Colors

Posted on October 25, 2012 Written by Leave a Comment

By Paul Pannone

By now you’ve heard about the top color picks for proms next season; purple is big again for the third year running. The information and strong statements given by Tony Bowls has reportedly set off a sea of selling purple products, according to sources. But how about some real data when it comes to proms?

How well do you know your target market Mr. Businessman? Guess what; you don’t.

 

Fun facts gathered in a joint poll by Seventeen and Teen Prom shows the women are driven more by money than many other things. Information discussed in Chicago said the biggest reason a girl would give up her cell phone for a month was not for a date with Justin Bieber; only 11% of respondents would. Not even meeting Taylor Swift in person after a concert was important to the majority– Taylor appealed to only 18% of respondents. Overwhelmingly, 80% would give up their cell phone for a month if enticed with a thousand-dollar reason to do so. According to Hearst data $1,000 bucks would keep the cell phone off for a month.

eWedNewz digs deeper into what and who make buying and shopping decisions. Everyone has their suspicion that the women have the clear advantage. But data given to us by Hearst publications seals the deal.

According to Hearst data 58% of respondents say they will be picking out their date’s (male or female) outfit. Clearly this makes what she wears the pivot point of what will be in next season.

 

How well do you know your market? Take the poll, we will publish results in future stories.

 

*For a complete copy of the results email us at Paul@ewednewz.com

 

 

eWedNewz

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2012

Filed Under: Advertising and Marketing, Data, facts and figures, General News, Men's formal wear, Ongoing Story Investigation, Proms, Publications, retail Tagged: , , , , , ,

Top Prom Colors for 2013

Posted on October 19, 2012 Written by 2 Comments

By Paul Pannone

eWedNewz interviewed various segments of the dress market talking with respected sources in their field. Consistently we found the answers agreeing with the top ten colors.

We started from the bottom up checking intelligence at FLOW formal’s accessory division. According to Doug Black who creates the accessories for the company, these are the top-selling colors for the 2013 season based on his findings;
Black, Purple, Mulberry, Gem, Dark Teal, Malibu, Bali Silver, Champagne Tan, Fuchsia

Second only to black, purple is the biggest prom color identified by major dress designers, bridal publications and formal wear accessory-makers. The Dynasty vest and neck-wear collection comes in over 30 colors.

Wedding expert and publicist, Sheryl Davies, said the following, agreeing with Black’s assessment of the 2013 colors;

” I agree with Mr. Black with some comment; he is bang on. Purple is huge and has been for 3 seasons. (fig, mulberry fuchsia etc). Pink is still hugely popular-  to me it’s like pepto  but still a girly color. Gold is gaining in popularity.  Gray is the new black.  Apple or Poppy re, Ivory or linen; all valid choices.”

From his statement, we think Tony Bowls might be certain about purple next season.

The most striking comment from designers we spoke to comes from Tony Bowls;

“Purple,Purple,and more Purple ! Purple in soft chiffon Popular! Purple in Jersey very Popular; Purple in all sequins over the top Popular ! The passion for purple is positive ! Mixtures of Bali silver and champagne are everywhere !!! These color combos are definitely staying on the hot list again this season !!!

Black along with soft pastels  have made it’s classic self a must have again ! Edgy black beading with soft chiffon are embraced more than ever …

Hope this helps and as always Paul thank you for being a constant source of support … You are much appreciated !

 The Dynasty collection by FLOW (Bali Silver shown) hits on all the latest colors. New features include a pattern back for a retail look not found in other vest collections.

eWedNewz

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2012

Filed Under: Anti Fairy Dust, eWedNewz, General News, Proms Tagged: , , , , , , ,

The Week of October 1st in Review

Posted on October 6, 2012 Written by Leave a Comment

By Paul Pannone

The release of a new retail program under the world-class Ralph Lauren label in Chicago helps settle the endless debate of whether to rent or own a tuxedo, giving consumers the option to do both. Until now there has not been a comprehensive retail program with a recognized brand that offers the flexibility of separate coat and pant sizing in finer fabric and affordable pricing.

The launch at the Bridal Market, Chicago, attracted the attention of better bridal store owners who deal in branded products for dresses and understand how to leverage the recognized names for higher profit margins.

Consumers searching for pricing information drove up a story released in June involving the average price of a wedding dress. Information provided by TheKnot showed the average cost holds steady at around $1,100 dollars nationally.

Print organizations work harder than ever to give advertisers value beyond magazines, melding print with digital. Magazine are proving data and information to their readers and advertisers to give a better understand of the market and what consumers are interested in.

 

 

eWedNewz

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2012

Filed Under: Anti Fairy Dust, bridal, Bridal Dresses, Bridal Magazines, eWedNewz, facts and figures, General News, Men's formal wear, Promotions, Proms, Publications, Ralph Lauren, Research, retail, The Groom, The Week in Review, tuxedos, Wedding Dresses, wedding industry Tagged: , , , , , , ,

Lang Leans on Website Weasels; Shops for Wedding Industry Health Care

Posted on September 27, 2012 Written by 1 Comment

By Paul Pannone

 

American Bridal and Prom Industry Association continues its war against websites who pilfer products, ideas and consumers away from legitimate U.S manufacturers. Founder of the organization, Steve Lang, told his board of the progress made against owners of the worst offending websites. According to Lang some are folding after being served with lawsuits.

“Lawsuits against counterfeit websites is in process and seven defendants have already contacted our counsel via their attorney to try and get out from the suit. We will settle with some if they meet our terms which include taking down all the offending items along with other requirements, that if violated will subject them to $50,000 fines for each infraction. We should shortly be before the federal judge with regard to the remaining defendants as well as additional defendants that will be included in the lawsuit,” said Lang this week.

Lang and all the larger supporting manufacturers will be in Chicago and New York in the coming weeks to discuss the matter in person. A meeting is scheduled for Monday morning in Chicago to update members and the industry.

The Jewish Santa, Steve Lang (Center), says he’s honored to give back to the business that’s been so good to him. The wedding business could be getting an early holiday gift; affordable health care for the price of membership.

 

As a separate issue and holding true to his word Lang told eWedNewz he’s shopping for affordable health care for members of the organization.

“I have put in motion the work to find if we can get national health insurance for the industry. I met with a company, Strategic Employee Benefits Services,  that I have faith in; they will e-mail me the census form that all interested parties will need to fill out so that he can begin to assemble the data required to quote coverage for the industry,” accordion to Lang.

Critics of Lang have long been silenced since making false allegations and criticisms earlier this year. Pundits who pushed to catapult themselves into the national spotlight using Lang’s propositions have also failed.

95% of an ongoing poll says they would support an organization that is properly run, offers good benefits and isn’t expensive to join. Only 5% of responses so far said they would not support a general wedding industry organization.

 

What do you say?

The nominal cost of membership– $100 dollars– is required to be eligible for the group health care rates.

Download the application

eWedNewz

All Rights Reserved

2012

Filed Under: bridal, Bridal Dresses, Bridal Shops, General News, Ongoing Story Coverage, Ongoing Story Investigation, Poll, Proms, retail, Wedding Dresses, wedding industry, Wedding Water Cooler, wedding websites Tagged: , , , ,

American Bridal & Prom Industry Association Draws First Blood against Internet Pirates

Posted on August 5, 2012 Written by 4 Comments

By Paul Pannone

As promised, the American Bridal & Prom Industry Association, under the guidance of Steve Lang,  filed  a federal complaint against 37 online merchants accused of abusive practices including Internet counterfeiting, scheming to advertise and sell counterfeit products, causing harm to American gown makers.

According to the complaint;

Plaintiffs are victims of a massive Internet counterfeiting scheme to advertise and sell counterfeit products,” the complaint states. “Defendants have manufactured, imported, distributed, offered for sale and sold counterfeit goods, including bridal gowns, social occasion dresses, prom dresses and other formalwear bearing counterfeits of plaintiffs’ marks (the ‘counterfeit products’) and continue to do so.

 

The American Bridal & Prom Industry Association draws first blood, filing a lawsuit in New York against Chinese pirates. According to sources, some have already thrown up their hands wanting to know what can be done to stop the litigation against them.

A discussion with the president of the new organization, Steve Lang told eWedNewz he is more than pleased with the progress and performance of the legal team of  Hilliard, Stark & Stark.

“They’ve done an outstanding job and not charged a penny doing much of the preparatory work to file the lawsuit,” according to Lang.

eWedNewz has learned that the demands of the organization has put off some of Lang’s plans and duties as head on Mon Cheri. According to Lang the greater good of the wedding dress business and industry takes precedence over other tasks.

“If we don’t defend ourselves against this attack, there won’t be any business to administer too,” he told eWedNewz.

Lang said scheduled meetings at all the major markets including Dallas and Chicago will keep members in complete touch with planned actions, now that the suit was initiated.

Critics of Lang and the entire project have fallen out of sight along with other blip moves that questioned his motives or tried to ride his coat tails to make a name for themselves. Lang leaves behind a string of casualties planning to continue his efforts, delivering affordable health care to members of the wedding industry.

 

So far only 3% of respondents say they would not support a wedding industry organization. Tell us what you think.

 

 

eWedNewz

Al Rights Reserved

2012

Filed Under: bridal, Bridal Dresses, Current Events, General News, Ongoing Story Coverage, Proms, retail, The Internet, Uncategorized, Wedding Dresses, wedding industry, Wedding Industry Events, wedding websites Tagged: , , ,
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