Press Release: FLOW Formal Names New Charity Partner for Yellow Bow Tie Campaign

April 25, 2013

For Immediate Release: FLOW Formal Names New Charity Partner for Yellow Bow Tie Campaign

In ongoing effort to support members of the military in need FLOW Formal announced the latest addition to their growing Yellow Bow Tie campaign. Heroes in Transition in Mashpee, Massachusetts will benefit from the sale of selected items sold to the formal wear business for the 2014 season.

FLOW formal is a leading supplier and marketer of better branded clothing and accessories with licensed brands including Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein and Joseph Abboud. FLOW’s commitment to America, its people and those who defend them are gaining recognition for their efforts.

“It’s just another way of giving back to the men and women who give so much of themselves freely so that our country remains safe,” says Brian Weintraub of FLOW.

Michael Warshaw, president of the charity, devotes his time and efforts to raise funds and provide assistance that is not readily available from other organizations including local, state, and federal agencies.

Currently the organization is promoting a New York City benefit for Captain Eric A. Jones, killed in action in Afghanistan in November, 2009.

“Eric’s parents and I vowed to continue Eric’s mission. We decided to start an organization in an effort to support our troops in the United States and abroad. In 2010, Heroes in Transition was formed. HIT’s mission is to give assistance to military veterans, especially to those who have served the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts. HIT steps in when other organizations, including local, state and federal agencies are not readily available to do so,” writes Warshaw.

For more information about the Yellow Bow Tie Campaign or to support the cause contact:

Brian Weintraub at 1-800-366-4300

 

###

From Jim’s to Joseph Abboud The Renaissance of the Tuxedo Business

By Paul Pannone

Big news hitting the men’s tuxedo rental business in the past 48 hours flooded our inbox and phone messages from formal wear specialists around the country. The news of Joseph Abboud becoming chief creative director at Men’s Wearhouse and the eWedNewz exclusive breaking newZ of, Jim’s formal wear, the largest independently owned formal wear company, selling a majority stake of their business, set the formal wear business on fire.

 

Anxious tuxedo people say they’re excited about the new movie The Great Gatsby starring Leonardo DiCaprio, set in a time tuxedos were the style of the day.

 

The Jim’s newZ precedes any formal announcement and the Abboud story needs further explanation that has worried specialists wondering how Mr. Abboud’s new job at Men’s Wearhouse affects them. The simple answer is: it doesn’t.

Abboud lost his right to use his own name but not the right to earn a living. Until now Mr. Abboud was the Creative Officer at  Hart Schaffner Marx and his move to MW will do little, if anything, to change the long-standing relationship between FLOW formal and Joseph Abboud corporate, JA Apparel Corp, in New York. Discussions with high-level executives at both FLOW and JA Apparel say they plan to become even more aggressive in the men’s formal wear rental category since JA Apparel dumped Fabian Couture and became a brand for FLOW. It was then decided to use better fabrics to attract today’s consumer to replace the scratchy wool of old, used by past generations of tuxedo users.

eWedNewz has learned that Gary Davis, President of Jim’s, is traveling to company distribution centers to re-assure workers of the changes taking place at the company. Part of the changes include an upgrade and means to reach consumers in a new way.

An ongoing eWedNewz investigation shows the decline in the use of formal wear outpaces the decline in formal weddings. Part of the troubles includes the resistance and unwillingness of retailers to upgrade styles, fabrics and fit of garments; some of which date back decades.

This month eWedNewz learned of tuxedo stores changing hands from old-timers in their eighties to a younger generation of business entrepreneurs who realize the importance of keeping up with fashionable products and technology that is replacing traditional forms of advertising.

Tuxedo store owners say they’re seeing new movies that finally portray tuxedo in a positive way, hopeful the trend against wearing them will shift in their favor.

We will continue to watch all parts of the process but wonder what your thoughts are.

Is the tuxedo rental business changing?

eWedNewz

All Rights Reserved

2012

The Week of September 24th in Review

 

 

By Paul Pannone

 

New information involving Wedding Wire made top newZ this week as the company continues to struggle to grow in a shrinking wedding market and constant complaints about how they rate vendors. Critics of Wedding Wire including Samantha Goldberg continue to bang the drum against the website listing company that is coming under attack by a rising number of (paying) vendors who find it difficult to communicate with the company.

Despite the criticism Wedding Wire received more funding from Spectrum Equity investors in the amount of $25 million dollars for a limited stake in the company.

Wedding website weasels continue to scatter as the war waged by the American Bridal and Prom Industry Association gains speed and support by wedding industry members. A meeting with Steve Lang, founder of the association, in Chicago says he’s pleased with the results so far but admits there is a long road ahead.

70% of an ongoing eWedNewz poll so far feels Lang’s efforts pose a fair to excellent chance of winning the war, while 30% feel the chances are poor to impossible. In a separate poll 95% of eWedNewz respondents say they support a general wedding industry organization that is well run, offers benefits and is not expensive to join.

FLOW formal’s Yellow Bow Tie campaign added new products to their efforts, including top seller, SWAGGER. Major wholesalers are picking up on the campaign and are asking their key accounts to do the same.

Consumer brides shopping for their 2013 weddings are researching the cost of wedding gowns, driving up an eWedNewz  story about the Knot we ran last June.

 

 

eWedNewz

All Rights Reserved

2012

FLOW Adds SWAGGER to their Yellow Bow Tie Military Charity Campaign

By Paul Pannone

Last week FLOW Formal announced including their popular2013 SWAGGER tuxedo to the Yellow Bow Tie Campaign. The SWAGGER, released and marketed under their own FLOW label, has quickly attracted the attention of consumers online.

 

Major wholesalers watching social media and consumer reaction are interested in the look of SWAGGER.

FLOW has upped its fabric commitment and production schedule for SWAGGER and matching DASH pants to meet the rising demand. Company owners told eWedNewz the decision to include SWAGGER and matching DASH pants was to help supporters (wholesalers and retail stores) supply distribution for the growing consumer demand.

In further eWedNewz investigation FLOW marketing for their 2013 lines follow consumer demand summarized by the direction taken by major successful apparel organizations, including Burberry. Simple but effective ads with easy backgrounds.

In our findings the tuxedo business continues to lag behind in providing what consumers are looking for; holding on to their own beliefs and looks– as well as outdated merchandise.

eWedNewz

All Rights Reserved

2012

The Week of September 17th in Review

 

By Paul Pannone

Wedding Wire was back on top of the newZ, as another flood of vendors complain about their rating and review system. The rise is linked to peak season/summer weddings that are now settling into married life and look back on their wedding day.

A statement written by Samantha Goldberg in reply to the story written by her, in her own style, also made top newZ for citing wedding industry professionals and vendors that lack passion. According to Goldberg “90%” are guilty. But an eWedNewz ongoing poll says 47% lack passion– closer to what this newZ source predicted (50%).

A trending story involving BRIDES magazine’s move in appointing the first black Editor in Chief continues to rise, as eWedNewz investigates other publications that do not have a balanced representation of all races in executive positions.

In other newZ the Tie a Yellow Bow Tie campaign to help military family victims continues to grow. FLOW Formal plans to add other items to the campaign for 2013.

 

 

eWedNewz

All Rights Reserved

2012

 

 

Tie a Yellow Bow Tie and Support a Good Cause

By Paul Pannone

In an ongoing story eWedNewz has learned more about how FLOW Formal Wear plans to support the Children of Fallen Soldiers Relief Fund through the use of Celebrity and world-famous brands. According to FLOW the company plans to dedicate a portion of its line every season to help the victims of military families who are struggling.

 

From the organization’s Face Book page Becky Campbell gives credit to sponsors who help families.

A recent interview with Becky Campbell, founder of the organization, said how grateful she was for the support. Campbell told eWedNewz she works 80-100 hours a week and does everything from stuffing envelopes, answering calls and emails and helping out victims with personal problems.

“It’s all done here, in-house, with very little outside help,” she told eWedNewz.

Campbell’s dedication and tireless work garners no salary and relies on the gracious giving of the public who recognize the worthiness of the cause. We asked how she connected with FLOW and what she thought of the Yellow Bow Tie Campaign.

“I received a call from Brian Weintraub and he asked me some questions; the next thing I know he offered to give money to the fund with some sort of connection to the TV program, Jersey Shore,” according to Campbell.

Further investigation reveals the charitable nature of Brian Weintraub of FLOW and his affinity for families left by military men and women who gave their lives for their country.

“It’s something that I give to and support personally and wanted to give our industry the opportunity to do the same,” according to Weintraub.

We asked him why this particular organization and he said it’s because of the high percentage of money that actually benefits the cause and doesn’t get swallowed up by administrative costs.

“That’s right; under the 5013c structure, I take no salary and only 3-8% goes to running the charity. The rest goes to the families to help them for the things they need to get by,” according to Campbell.

According to Weintraub FLOW will select a new Celebrity, Brand or line each selling season to represent the company’s Yellow Bow Tie campaign. This year two coats, the Honor and Pride were chosen.

“It was a natural fit because Mike Sorrentino of Jersey Shore also donates to similar causes and he offered to help promote the campaign because he believes it’s a good thing to do, that’s why I asked him to help us. Because of our ongoing relationship he agreed, plus we welcomed having millions of his fans hear about the campaign and hopefully give to the charity,” according to Weintraub.

eWedNewz asked Becky Campbell what she thinks.

“Oh my; I know he is very popular on television. But we are a small organization and don’t want millions of dollars for fear of losing that one-on-one connection with the people we help. We do it this way because we want to,” she says.

eWedNewz asked Weintraub what he thinks.

“First, let’s get the money collected for the organization. That gives them options. We will see what they decide, when that happens,” he smiles.

eWedNewz continues to watch this story and will report the updates, who donates and how it all works out in future stories.

eWedNewz

All Rights Reserved

2012

The Week of August 6th in Review

 

 

By Paul Pannone

Newz of the American Bridal & Prom Industry Association taking action against internet pirates was the most widely read eWedNewz story this week. Efforts by the organization are ready to ramp up at all wedding industry events this fall. A current poll shows strong support and need for a general wedding organization that is well-run and offers good benefits to its members.

eWedNewz broke information that Michael Sorrentino and FLOW formals have teamed up to support the families of fallen soldier victims by creating a line in honor of the troops. New images of the line and a recent photo shoot in New York city are scheduled to be released in September.

The struggling Brides magazine decided to return to a bi-monthly format after years of continued decline. Assertions  from sources near the story claim Conde’ Nast, owners of Brides, are slowly but surely migrating their printed content online and away from the costly printed format, as newsstand sales continue to decline.

 

eWedNewz

All Rights Reserved

2012

Michael Sorrentino Line Gets the nod from FLOW to support The Troops

By Paul Pannone

eWedNewz has learned that FLOW Formal and Michael Sorrentino have joined to create a fashion line of men’s formal wear to help support the families of fallen soldier victims. A release of the concept in Atlanta  was kept hush-hush until major tuxedo industry leaders could be told of the idea. According to incoming reports the formal wear business loves the idea and plans to support the program.

 

Michael Sorrentino and FLOW joined to create the line with supporting the troops, as the label suggests.

“We wanted to create a line that shows support to the people that are called to defend our nation and the loved ones left when they are killed in action. From the start Mike and his organization have been very supportive and instrumental in helping to design the line. They’re very excited to help promote the campaign in any way they can,” according to Brian Weintraub of FLOW.

So far we know the beneficiary organization, Children of Fallen Soldiers Relief Fund, will receive money to support families of soldiers that gave their lives for America on every designated coat for the 2013 season. Reports from Atlanta say major wholesalers and buyers are equally as excited and ready to get behind the campaign in a big way.

As the newZ broke major publications are already picking up on the story and are ready to support the campaign.

Further details and images to follow as more information becomes available.

 

eWedNewz

All Rights Reserved

2012

FLOW to Donate Part of Proceeds to Children of Fallen Soldiers Relief Fund

By Paul Pannone

eWedNewz has learned of a campaign by FLOW Formals, makers of Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren and other branded men’s tuxedos, to give a portion of sales of a specified style tuxedo to the Children of Fallen Soldiers Relief fund. The plan was released yesterday in Atlanta to trade partners explaining the move to the formal wear industry before releasing details to the public.

The Children of Fallen Soldiers Relief Fund was chose because of their low cost of operation and dedication to helping the families of military persons killed serving America.

 

“It’s a great cause and one that is very charitable. We looked at several organizations and picked the Children of Fallen Soldiers because of the way the organization operates and how dedicated the efforts are,” according to Brian Weintraub of FLOW.

The organization was founded in October 2003 to help families surviving children and spouses of our U.S. military service members who lost their lives serving their country.

“Administrative costs of running the organization are very low (between 3-8% according to CFSRF’s website) and that means the money is really getting to family members of the soldiers– that’s very important,” Weintraub told eWedNewz.

 

 Further details will be released, as they become available. If you would like to donate please visit www.cfsrf.com

eWedNewz

All Rights Reserved

2012

The Sitch is Back and ready to Rock the tuxedo business in 2013

By Paul Pannone

The Situation gives his account of what happened leading up to a short stay in rehab earlier this year. In a tweet to millions followers and fans he wrote;

“Here it is… the story, the truth, the real Mike Sorrentino! mtv.com/news/articles Thanks for everyone’s support!”

 

The Situation has a new body, new outlook and new line of slim-fit formal wear for 2013.

 

With Sitch back and the record straight fibs and phony fairy tales from competitors in the tuxedo business are nullified and are now as questionable as the no-name, fictitious names they market as relevant products that ultimately end up on consumers.

eWedNewz has learned the new 2013 Situation line is as renewed as the Sitch’s abs. Better fit, better fabrications and an even better marketing campaign to reach the growing audience that’s applauding his truthfulness and candor about his life.

A look at some of the new features in the Situation line shows real commitment to styling and details. Fashion designs conceived and approved by Sitch gives distinction to a new generation of tuxedo user that clearly say they won’t be caught dead in dad’s tux.

 

Questions, answers and more information can be found by following the Situation or FLOW Formal Wear.

 

 

eWedNewz

All Rights Reserved

2012