IFI, After Hours working
to build a better tuxedo
to build a better tuxedo
The first time a tuxedo was spotted in the
United States was back in October of 1886. Wealthy tobacco
magnate Pierre Lorillard IV designed a black, tailless outfit
that he donned at a formal ball in Tuxedo Park, hence the
garment’s name.
Since then, the tux has been a perennial
staple in the fashion world. Now, over a century later, the
garment has had plenty of time to be perfected, yet the
International Fabricare Institute still believes there is room
for improvement.
Recently, the association’s Textile
Testing Laboratory entered into a one-year contract with After
Hours, a formalwear rental subsidiary of the Mays Group, to
work on developing a better tux.
IFI’s lab will test how different
styles and types of tuxedos withstand the drycleaning process.
The contract will provide IFI with non-dues revenue and help
the tuxedo rental industry, as well, by prolonging the overall
shelf life of their product.
“Our goal is to help After Hours
determine what the best combination of fabrics and fibers are
— what will give them the greatest durability and
like-new appearance over time,” said the project’s
manager, Adrienne Rybak. “Understandably, they want to be
able to continue to keep these garments in circulation for as
long as possible to get a good return on their
investment.”
“We’re cleaning these things
25 times in petroleum cleaning solvent,” she added.
“If you own your own tuxedo and have it cleaned once or
twice a year, you won’t see the things we’re seeing
for 12 to 25 years.
‘What we’re finding is that
some components might not hold up to that many cleanings
without some deterioration, or color loss, or puckering,”
she said.
The project will initially focus on
drycleaning jackets and pants before it moves on to vests, ties
and cummerbunds further in the future.
IFI will continue the testing process
through 2004 and possibly beyond. For more information, contact
the association by visiting www.ifi.org or calling (301)
236-9320.
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