FROM MR FEBRUARY ISSUE: A TRIBUTE TO LEE LEONARD

BY KAREN ALBERG GROSSMAN

In early January, the menswear industry was deeply saddened by the sudden passing of men’s fashion veteran Lee Leonard, who died of a heart attack on December 31st at his apartment in New York City. Lee was an actor, a tour guide, a lover of all things Italian, and a caring friend to so many. Here are a few tributes to the soft-spoken gentleman with a big laugh, and an even bigger heart.


“LEONARDO, YOU WILL BE MISSED BY SO MANY. WHEREVER YOU WALKED, THE SIDEWALKS SMILED.”

—ANDY MALLOR, ANDREW DAVIS

“Lee was a great business partner and a dear friend with a big heart! He was part of our weekend crew in Long Beach and everyone loved him. Our weekends were full of fun, beach, poker, backgammon, chess, and of course lots of cocktails. Lee’s outgoing personality and kind gentle soul coupled with his acting abilities made him a real hit with the ladies. Most importantly, he loved our industry, the people, relationships and was always on the hunt for the next big brand. I will most miss his jovial laugh and his genuine friendship.”

—VINCE GONZALES, VINCE GONZALES INC.


“It must be at least 30 years since I met Lee and the DLS team, but it was just this past June that I really got to know Lee and he told me about his heart condition. It was he who insisted that I go to Florence, which was the best trip to Italy I’ve ever taken because of Lee’s passion for the city. Because Lee loved what he was doing, we fell in love with Lee.”

—LARRY AND ARLEEN ALBERT, MAINLINE CUSTOM


“It really hurts to talk about Lee in the past tense. He was always so positive and encouraging. One story: we were with a group of retail- ers in Naples, Italy. After dinner, there was music in the hotel bar. While David dozed off on a comfortable chair, drowsy from jet lag and wine, Lee (always the ladies’ man) danced the night away with Ellen. Lee never let David forget how much Ellen enjoyed dancing with him!”

— DAVID AND ELLEN LEVY, LEVY’S NASHVILLE


“LEE, YOU HAVE LEFT A BIG HOLE IN MANY HEARTS. I WILL FOREVER CHERISH YOUR GUIDANCE, KINDNESS AND SUPPORT, YOUR BOISTEROUS LAUGHTER AND PASSION FOR OUR INDUSTRY.”

—RUTH GRAVES, STEP USA


“It was the summer of 2010. After a long day navigating Pitti, Lee brought a group of DLS stores to my office in Piazza Ognissanti. My office was on the third floor overlooking the river, with an elevator that was only 2.2 by 5 feet. Opening the elevator door, I was flooded with Lee’s large laugh and the image of a very hot and tired guy, stuck in that tiny space and on crutches, obviously in pain after his recent knee surgery gone wrong. Still in good spirits and laughing at his predicament, his only goal was to get his team some cocktails.”

—SHAYNE REGAN, BORGO28 INC.


“Lee started as a client but became a dear friend. For the past 20 years, the highlight of my year was putting together the DLS fashion book. The care and professionalism your team brought to the project reflected your respect for each client, and your desire for the success of each store. Lee, I will miss our conversations, from the weather to global peace. I will miss the advice you always provided, reflecting your caring heart. I know that one day we’ll continue our work for all the stores in the sky.”

—BOB DONA, OPTIMUM GRAPHICS


“Lee was the cheerleader, the one who got us all going at early morning meetings, the one who had the uncanny ability to mix calm with excitement. He could be persistent, persuasive, and a nudge all at the same time and never get you upset. Our industry will be a little less rich without him; may his memory always be for a blessing.”

—DANA KATZ, MILTONS


“How do we sum up the partnership, friendship and love we had with Lee for more than 50 years? Lee and Fred go back to a time before DLS when they worked together in DC; I came to know Lee when Fred asked him to join our office two years into the business. Lee became a dear friend: lively, thoughtful, an anchor. An extremely private person himself, he was always there for us through both bright and dark moments and will remain a part of us for all time.”

—VIRGINIA SANDQUIST, FRED DERRING, DLS


“Lee and I shared a bond, and I’m fortunate to say he was my friend in every way. He was a voice of reason when my enthusiasm about a project consumed me. He helped me see the bigger picture. We shared many trips to Italy, meals, and laughs. My biggest regret is that I was unable to take him to Istanbul, a city he really wanted to explore and photograph. I have lost a friend and mentor; we all have lost a sweet, gentle soul.”

—MICHAEL DURU, MICHAEL DURU CLOTHIERS


“I was fortunate to share many Italy trips with Lee. From unique product ideas to industry insight and inspiration, Lee was a wealth of knowledge. As each Italian evening ended with limoncello or grappa, I say ‘Salute and ciao my friend. May we meet at a menswear show on the other side!’”

—MIKE ZACK, DALLAS RETAILER


“LEE WILL BE GREATLY MISSED, BUT HE LEFT SO MUCH WISDOM AND TEACHING AND COACHING BEHIND THAT IN A VERY REAL SENSE, HIS LEGACY LIVES ON.”

—WENDY THOMPSON, MAJESTIC

INDUSTRY VETERAN LEE LEONARD HAS DIED

MR Magazine
BY KAREN ALBERG GROSSMAN

All of us in menswear are shocked and saddened to learn of Lee Leonard’s passing on Saturday, December 31 at his home in Manhattan. Lee was very much loved by so many in the industry, a friend to both retailers and suppliers. He was a key part of the DLS triumvirate that helped build so many businesses and launch so many careers. He had just turned 74 and had been dealing with heart-related issues.
Those who knew him best describe Lee as an amazingly sweet and multi-talented man: an actor, photographer, dancer, teacher, and tour guide, outspoken and energetic on the outside, kind and caring within. Those who had the good fortune to travel with him to Italy often returned with some outrageous tales, for this was a guy who knew how to have fun!

Miami retailer Jose Bolado got to know Lee from a trip to Naples. “He was a true Renaissance man: artistic and fun-loving, he loved to dance, loved people, loved life. I missed him when he departed to South Korea and was so happy when he returned. Will miss you always Lee; rest in peace.”
Says Gary Lowy, “Lee was always in the market, visiting, observing, offering advice, and sharing his take on evolving fashion. Everyone loved his posts about travel, food, fashion, and people. He will be missed.”
From Pennsylvania merchant Brian Cohen, “It’s been a pleasure and an honor to get to know Lee over the past two decades. One of my favorite things about him was the way he’d start off our DLS meetings, asking, ‘Can I have a loud ‘GOOD MORNING?’ And if he wasn’t satisfied with the group’s response, he’d ask again: ‘Can I have a loud ‘GOOD MORNING?’ He was always enthusiastic, something I will really miss.”
Florida retailer Craig DeLongy agrees. “Lee was soft-spoken except when handed the mic at DLS meetings, then he was like a carnival barker. Over the years, I got to enjoy Lee at many trade shows. When we were at Pitti in Florence, I named him Leonardo; when we were in Charlotte, I called him Billy Lee. Always the first to jump on the dance floor to cut a rug, God help the female sales rep who happened to be standing close by…”
David Chaney describes Lee as “always the gentleman. Actually, he was a WILD MAN, and much fun to be around.” “The market will be much quieter without his laughter…” Marc and Vinny of Marc N Vinny predict.
Lee’s DLS partners Fred and Virginia are planning a ‘celebration of life’ memorial service in NYC after the January/February menswear shows; anyone with ideas please advise. To read more tributes to our industry friend Lee Leonard, see MR’s February print issue.

PITTI UOMO DAY THREE WITH DLS’S FRED DERRING

Take una piccola passeggiata through Pitti with Fred Derring from DLS Outfitters. Today’s discoveries again see a resurgence of interest in sophisticated, if relaxed, tailored silhouettes, all in a refined, softer, yet quite colorful palette.

Fred, grazie mille! We’re already making room in the closet (and the open-to-buy) for next Spring’s gorgeous new looks.

VIRGINIA SANDQUIST OF DLS SHARES HER GIFTS

BY VIRGINIA SANDQUIST

As reported in MR January issue, the gifts classification sometimes gets neglected in menswear stores. Yet, those who nurture the category find it’s a solid margin builder with low return rates. Since Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, it’s (already) time to start thinking about Holiday 2023, and NY Now (the New York gifts show) is this weekend, we thought this would be a great opportunity to catch up with Virginia SandquistDLS Apparel Group’s expert on being present.

ABOVE IMAGE: Minneapolis, Minn.’s MP3 shows gifts are a retailer’s smart next move.


Two categories are doing nicely, coffee table books and grooming products for men and women (depending on if the store is men’s, women’s, or both.  With grooming, you can build a repeat business if you keep it unique and exclusive.  With coffee table books you show the customer you have some unusual gift items, and that they can count on you when they need something a little different.

Our office has always felt that retailers should carry accessories, travel bags, books, packaged foods, stationery, pens, jewelry, bar wear, grooming, etc. It all helps to boost sales and gives the customer another reason to return to the store. Plus it gives the store another vibe, an eclectic ambiance.  There are so many items out there that a clothing store can add to its mix without taking away from the clothing part of the business. It is all about getting the customer to walk into a store more often and generating multiple sales.

Examples of books to check out include:

Rizzoli International Publications: Rizzoli has become a leader in fashion, interior design, culinary, art, architecture, and photography.

Taschen: Accessible, eclectic publishing from its affordable Basic Art series to highly collectible limited editions, TASCHEN makes the best books on the planet at any prize and any size.

Wildsam Travel Books: Field guides with a sense of wonder for cities, parks, and road trips. Perfect for both men’s and women’s shops.

Our stores are also doing nicely with two accessory companies, Pig and Hen bracelets, as well as Secrid wallets.

Our go-to list of grooming products for men includes:

As New Yorkers, we attend the NY Now Show (see below) and Shoppe Object, both coming up this weekend, but I’ve also heard that the Atlanta gift market is a wonderful show!

Need a little more guidance? Contact Virginia at virginia@dlsoutfitters.com.

NY Now Show
Sat, Feb 4, 6 PM – Tue, Feb 7, 6 PM
Jacob Javits Convention Center
429 11th Avenue
New York, NY

Shoppe Object
Sat, Feb 4, 9 PM – Mon, Feb 6, 9 PM
Pier 36 NYC
299 South St
New York, NY

Mr Awards 2022 Hall of Fame: Fred Derring, Lee Leonard, and Virginia Sandquist, DLS Apparel Group

MR AWARDS 2022 HALL OF FAME: FRED DERRING, LEE LEONARD, AND VIRGINIA SANDQUIST, DLS APPAREL GROUP – MR Magazine

The morning we met with the DLS team to prepare for this story, we talked about everything: from the financial markets (invest in I-bonds!) to the supply chain (place orders early!), to staffing shortages (should stores be sponsoring Ukrainian tailors to move here?) to marketing (the power of online flipbooks).