by Max Marbut
Staff Writer
Clothes make the man.
That’s the philosophy and business model that drives Alan Vinson of James Taylor Vinson Clothiers. The company was founded by Alan Vinson in 2001 and has since tailored business suits for celebrities, business leaders, attorneys and other men who want to make the best impression when it comes to business fashion.
Clients include University of Florida head basketball coach Billy Donovan and head football coach Urban Meyer, as well as executives at major corporations in Jacksonville.
Vinson joined the custom clothing business almost by accident. He earned a degree in advertising and communications at the University of Florida and met a custom clothier when he was looking for business suits for job interviews. He was then offered a job and went from customer to staff.
“My degree prepared me for the marketing end of the business,” said Vinson.
He has almost 500 active clients in Florida and southeast Georgia and shows them domestic and imported fabrics and tailoring.
“I particularly like the Italian fabrics,” said Vinson.
One factor that makes Vinson’s business successful, he said, is a high level of customer service. He has an office in Southpoint, but many of his clients work Downtown. They purchase new clothing when Vinson visits them in their offices to show the newest fabrics for suits, slacks and accessories.
His website shows that custom suits start at $700 and custom shirts start at $90.
One longtime client is attorney Howard Coker, who said appearance is very important for a trial lawyer, but “you don’t want to be overstated.”
Coker said he began buying suits from Vinson and has since expanded his wardrobe with custom-tailored shirts and neckties.
“To be able to get custom clothing and the service that goes with it is an efficient use of time,” said Coker. “Alan has earned my business. Because of him, I haven’t been to a mall in seven years, and that’s a blessing.”
For more information, visit www.jtvinson.com.
356-2466