Custom Tailor & Designer Association, NY 2024

Can we take a moment and celebrate Flava Flav and Snoop Dogg? In the 90’s these two were vilified in the press as murderers, drug dealers, and the cause of so much violence in this country. Here they are, putting the country on their back! I am HERE for it!!

New York Summer - 2024

Every 6 months I head to NY and Chicago for trade shows. I see mostly the same people, and look at variations of the same thing. Yet without fail, I walk away feeling fulfilled by some unexpected aspect. This Summer I had the pleasure of having a few conversations with industry leaders, the King Brothers. They run a great business in Minneapolis. Recently they launched, Clothier Coaching aimed at helping clothiers increase their business.

I have always subscribed to the mindset that “there is something to be learned from everyone you meet.” The King Brothers laid out the advantages of being twins, and how they create a dynamic experience for their clients.

The other two gentleman, Ivan and Andreas, had terrific input as well. The four of us, “competitors” from the outside, really boosted each other up.

The second evening of the show has traditionally been a boat cruise but this year the new president decided to organize a tour of the Fashion Institute of Technology.

Having had no formal training in clothing, this experience was exceptional. The professor who lead the tour would stop to ask questions and few of us had the answers. It gave me a sense of how vast this industry is. The tour was humbling in the best way, no matter how great our books may be or our stacked our appointments are, this industry is limitless.

There was a machine on the tour that was originally showcased in the 1933 Chicago World Fair. How incredible is that?! Bards is committed to making products that are made in America and built to last. This machine is a testament to that mindset and fueled my passion.

This weekend we head to Chicago! Stay tuned.