Al's Formal Wear

Al's Formal Wear is a chain of tuxedo rental stores now based in Houston, Texas. The company was originally founded in Fort Worth, Texas by Al Sankary in 1950, who grew the company to over 90 locations in Texas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma.

The company stocks over 70 styles of tuxedos for rental, including designer names such as Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, and Andrew Fezza. The company also carries a wide variety of formal wear and accessories for retail purchase, as well as a full line of career apparel for occupations needing formal dress. Over the years, the selection of styles available has changed with the times, from the midnight blue tuxedos of the 1950s through the wide lapels and ruffles of the 60s and 70s, the return of classic looks in the 80s, and the longer coats and athletic-inspired looks of the 2000s.

In fact, Sankary worked with manufacturers to develop the first poly cotton shirt (that washed and wore better) and introduced the ruffled tuxedo shirt to the formalwear industry. He's also credited with designing the fancy dinner jacket patterned after a smoking jacket. Before then, tuxedos only came in black and white. Sankary went on a buying trip to New York and introduced new colors and fabrics to the tuxedo industry. By 1960, he had revolutionized the formalwear industry. He also utilized telemarketing and direct mail marketing tactics long before its time to contact high schools (around prom time), bridal parties (he read engagement announcements in the local paper and then followed up with a call), and others celebrating formal occasions.In addition, he came up with the innovative method of measuring a man's inseam from the outside (still in use widely today) to avoid putting female employees in an embarrasing position.

Today, Al's Formal Wear fills orders for weddings, high school proms, quinceaneras and other events from its computerized, state-of-the-art distribution centers. On-site dry cleaning plants and alteration facilities at the distribution centers ensure quality and consistency.

Al Sankary divided the business in 1978 with his brother-in-law Alan Gaylor, whom he put into business in 1957 in Houston. Gaylor maintained ownership of the Al's Formal Wear operations based in Houston, while Sankary owned the operations based in the Dallas area. In 1999, Gaylor bought the Dallas operation from Sankary. At this point, the combined business included approximately 120 Al's Formal Wear, Ascot Tuxedos, and BridesMart locations in Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and New Mexico. By 2006, some consolidation and the spinoff of the bridal division has reduced the number of stores to between 90 and 100.

Awards and Recognition

After Six Formals Black Tie Hall of Fame first "Man of the Year Award for Progressive attitude in a promotion or formalwear usage" to Al Sankary, March 12, 1977.

In 2003, Al's Formal Wear was named "Texas Family Business of the Year" in the Large Family Business category by Baylor University's Institute for Family Business.

In 2000, Al's Formal Wear was listed at number 4 on the Houston Business Journal's list of "Top 50 Family Owned Businesses."

In 1995, Alan Gaylor was presented with the International Formalwear Association Black Tie Award in recognition of his lifetime contribution to the men's formal wear industry.

References

Houston Business Journal, (2000). "Top 50 Family Owned Businesses"

Van Camp, Emily, (2005). "The family business: Al's Formal Wear rises to the occasion with its family of formal wear stores." US Business Review 6.2, p.284.

External links

* [http://www.alsformalwear.com/ Al's Formal Wear corporate website]