MR 2023: THE YEAR IN REVIEW
Is it just us, or did the holidays feel like they crept up on us a little faster this year? Seems like just yesterday we were posting content from the summer trade shows. Well, fasten your seat belts, 2024 is upon us and it will be market week before you know it (We know because we were scrambling the last few days to close our January print issue, which you’ll be seeing soon!)
In the spirit of year-ending introspection, we took a few moments to review what we’ve been posting—and what you’ve been reading—on the MR website for the past year, and frankly, we were surprised. From racy store openings to ad campaigns to brand relaunches, it’s been quite a year. Here are our top five stories from 2023.
5. CONTACT SPORTS UNVEILS A GAME-CHANGING RETAIL EXPERIENCE IN SOHO
Oh, behave! Not exactly typical MR retail coverage, this shop sells – ahem – adult products. Since SKUs include sweatshirts, T-shirts, and some accessories, not to mention bouquets of red roses, we thought this late March store opening was worth a mention. It’s still open so, if you’re in town for New York market, Contact Sports may be worth stopping by to stock up on some special Valentine’s Day treats.
4. AMERICAN EAGLE LAUNCHES SUMMER CAMPAIGN WITH THE STARS OF “THE SUMMER I TURNED PRETTY”
Looks like the uber-preppy “Summer” capsule collection at AE is in the markdown bins now, but this ad campaign certainly captured MR readers’ attention. Maybe because it broke so close to Memorial Day and we were all ready for some sunshine? Featuring up-and-coming actors Christopher Briney, Gavin Casalegno, and Lola Tung, the show’s third season is due out in 2024.
3. TOM JAMES COMPANY TO TAKE OVER FORMER HICKEY FREEMAN FACTORY
If there’s one thing the menswear industry appreciates, it’s a good heritage story. We were all excited to see that American jobs would be saved and Made in USA product would continue to come from this historic factory.
2. ROBERT TALBOTT IS BACK!
MR has been close to the Robert Talbott brand from its very beginning. Our editor-in-chief Karen Alberg Grossman, was besties with co-founder Audrey Talbott, and our web editor, John Jones, did a stint as its marketing director (and still misses those trips to headquarters in Monterey, California). Again, seems like we were all excited to see that this heritage brand would live on.
1. MR MAGAZINE ANNOUNCES 2023 MR AWARD HONOREES
“They like us! They really, really like us!” While we are certainly proud of the hallmark status that the MR Awards has taken in the menswear event calendar, we’re even more proud of the many retailers and brands that we’ve honored over the years. Apparently, we still had your attention when the mere announcement of the year’s honorees is our most-read story of 2023! Trust us on this one: We’re already working on 2024’s list. (So let us know who you’d like to see honored next July!)
Photo by Tairon Fernandez.
