FAITHFUL TO QUALITY

Bob Denton and Chris Brueckner, Vice President of Sales, talk about luxury fabrics and staying faithful to quality.

KAREN ALBERG GROSSMAN (MR. Magazine) 2016

There is a definite yin and yang dynamic between the core Oxxford customers and a new generation just starting to appreciate the heritage, authenticity and hand craftsmanship inherent in Oxxford clothing. Asked if it might make sense to offer a slightly lower priced collection so that more young guys can get introduced to such exceptional hand tailoring (Oxxford suits retail between $4,000 and $5,500, with custom an additional 10 percent), Denton answers this way: “We can’t produce a less expensive collection because our (Chicago) factory only knows how to make the best. We don’t have the machinery to cut through layers of fabric; we cut one suit at a time. We hand match every plaid, even inside the sleeves. We make our own canvas with a supplier in Italy: the fabric is hung out to line dry over the Adriatic Sea. The lapel roll is based on rows of hand stitching; we use no tape on the armhole to allow for extra give. We don’t know how to produce clothing any other way.”

Although 80 percent of Oxxford’s business is custom, Denton maintains that retailers need to stock key styles and sizes so customers can touch and try on before buying. “You don’t buy a Mercedes without driving it first,” he points out. “A good example is the brighter blue shades we are now selling so well; without a sample, the customer is less likely to request it.” Denton also notes that since today’s slimmer fits present challenges, basted try-ons are an important accommodation.

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