WHAT’S WAS, STILL IS… OR IS IT?

Recently, I had the pleasure of joining a group of respected, retired menswear execs for dinner at Primola, a favorite Upper East Side dining establishment. In addition to fabulous Italian food, we enjoyed catching up with each other’s lives: family, travel, politics, and the precarious state of world affairs. Shattering the myth that retirement means slowing down, these guys are clearly as active as ever, totally engaged in life. I asked them what they miss most about the good old days, and how they view recent changes in the industry.

From Bernie Feinberg, Tiger USA (a celebrated supplier of buttons, now run by Bernie’s two sons): “What was most wonderful about our era was that despite being competitors, we were able to put aside the 9-to-5 to discuss business from a collective perspective. This often took place at centrally located bars or eateries: after work at The Ground Floor, Nickels Steak House, Billy Hong’s or for breakfast at a 51st Street coffee shop. Today’s industry is far more splintered. With offices spread all over the city, there’s no central place for spontaneous after-hours meetings.”

Much-admired industry exec Norman Fryman agrees. “What I miss most is the camaraderie the menswear industry once provided. The weekly AMTRAK rides from Philadelphia to New York with principals from Botany 500, Joseph Cohen, Middishade, College Hall, Hammonton Park, etc. — all friendly competitors, negotiating union contracts together and comparing notes. It seems that recent industry changes have created some dysfunction: fewer department stores and global sourcing obsessed with price rather than quality or innovation.”

Retired for 10+ years, former tailored clothing manufacturer Frank Wolf admits that he no longer follows the nuances of the business. “But I miss the daily challenges. From vendors to producers to retailers to competitors, I learned something every day from each of them. And somewhere in between the headaches were some great times. Fortunately, I can now enjoy our occasional get-togethers, reminiscing and laughing with ‘Bernie’s Mavens,’ sharing stories of how we survived. You ask about changes but from what I can tell, it seems that what was, still is…”

And maybe that’s not so terrible after all.

Editor’s note: Frank, Bernie, and Norman are part of a group that’s been meeting in Manhattan four times a year for 35 years and is open to new members. Menswear aficionados of any age are welcome to join, for one meeting or several; contact Bernie@tigerbutton.com.