Posts tagged Sudsies
Henry Calix is Taking Care of You
May 21st
At Sudsies, we don’t merely care about clothes, we care about fashion… That is, always looking and feeling your best, which is why our onsite pick-up and drop-off locations are called our “boutiques.” This month, we want you to meet Henry Calix, our Retail Operations Manager, aka our ambassador who takes care of you when on Sudsies’ turf.
Henry first got into the dry cleaning business upon graduating high school. He refers to his first company as a “traditional dry cleaner.”
“It was hot, there were clothes everywhere, the staff was curt with answers,” he recalls. “The transaction process wasn’t pleasant or inviting for customers, but their clothes needed to be cleaned.”
Henry pursued college studies, focusing on business before turning his attention back to the industry in 2013. Upon walking into Sudsies, he knew his experience would be way different this time around.
“The customer service was unlike anything I had ever seen.” he says.
Henry fit right in, joining the Sudsies team as Customer Service Manager. Now promoted to Retail Operations Manager, Henry ensures a quality experience both look- and service-wise. The Sudsies boutiques feature light and airy atmospheres, complete with seating and personable quotes on the walls. Instead of being blasted by processing heat from the back, customers enjoy scented air conditioning. One word answers are a no-no here, Sudsies representatives engage customers in conversation from even the simplest of questions.
“I don’t want our customers to feel like dry cleaning is a chore, but can be a pleasurable experience,” says Henry.
Henry juggles quite a bit to ensure this serene environment for both his customers and staff. Daily responsibilities include training by Sudsies standards, staffing for timely and efficient workflow, appropriate pricing per garment, ensuring inventory is processed and returned by promise date, reuniting customer-forgotten pieces with their owner, closing any open issues with satisfactory resolution, maintaining appearance of boutique and uniforms, updating point-of-sale systems, ensuring equipment and machinery is in peak operational standards, managing supplies, coordinating website pick-up requests with delivery manifest, answering customer calls and messages, overseeing tailoring department, interviewing and hiring new personnel, and ensuring that all other Sudsies guidelines, policies and procedures are met. WHEW!
Of all these responsibilities, Henry divulges the most important one in his opinion: enhancing the company culture.
“In business, you have a strategy…a business plan, a goal, a mission. All that is fine. But when you have good culture in an organization, you will not only succeed in your strategy, but you will enjoy what you do, you will love what you do, and inspire others to do the same.”
This includes seeing to the customer from beginning to end, and beyond. Henry recalls one of his favorite customer stories with a client who was relocating to California. He was in the boutique picking up his last order before the big move. As Henry helped him close his account, the customer mentioned how the journey was bittersweet. After the customer left, Henry went outside to snap a picture of the Sudsies fleet in the Miami background and sent him the image as a fond farewell and reminder of his time here.
“The client wrote back, saying he was touched,” recalls Henry. “It’s important that they know that even after they are gone, our customers are always remembered and appreciated.”
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Sudsies Uncovers Gem Designer Picks… Right In Our Backyard
Oct 27th
As South Florida’s top luxury dry cleaner, we at Sudsies appreciate great fashion talent. We also love our community and the people that make Miami the “Magic City.” So, we thought we’d combine two of our favorite things and highlight some local designers who are, or who we predict will soon be, turning heads across the globe.
Contemporary I
Transparency is always a good thing, especially when it comes to fashion. And Viviana Gabieras (Vivian G) is superior when it comes to luxury knits and stretch fabrics. Her line, Petiti Pois, fuses everything Miami – wild prints, vibrant colors, spicy silhouettes – with a mastery that captures attention without overwhelming. In fact, we could say her work captures the best of best worlds in a lot of aspects. Her pieces make for statement staples on their own or can be combined for a powerful look and effortlessly transfer from day to night… All are proudly made in the USA via her manufacturing company in Miami, FL.
Through her work in design, humanitarianism and mentorship, Vivian G has a loyal following not only among Miamians. Television personalities, supermodels, actresses have all sizzled in her design; among them Shakira. Need we say more?
Contemporary II
With his clothes in more than 500 boutiques, Julian Chang has grown his brand worldwide, but he’s still Miami’s darling designer. His designs send strong statements with taste. Landscape prints, graphic patterns, and vibrant colors cascaded down the body with ease. Even Chang’s simpler separates make for great basic pieces, but with a fashionable edge.
Chang also specializes in evening wear, as well as custom creations for his celebrity clientele, including Brittany Spears and Gloria Estefan. He claims that his garments merely outline the style within each its wearers. This may be the case, but then it should be noted that his works always seem to bring out their confident side.
Red Carpet/Black Tie
Miami is filled with highly-talked about affairs – social extravaganzas, that is – and Nicolas Felizola is the designer to covet. Described as a modern Renaissance Man, Felizola draws from a range of intellectual and art forms, adding photographer and attorney-at-law among his list of practices. As a fashion designer, he’s known among the “Best Designer[s] of Miami Week”, “Universal Excellence Award” winner, and Forbes’ listee of ten influential Hispanic designers in the US.
His designs are clean, yet architecturally interesting with origami-like silhouettes or unique patterns created within his selection of lux fabrics. Collections include red carpet-worthy dresses, bridal gowns, and a men’s line of sleek suits that any woman wouldn’t mind placing their arm upon.
Swimwear
When you live in Miami, swimwear quickly becomes a wardrobe staple too. Russian-native, Canadian-raised Natalie Toporova quickly embraced beachside fashion, launching and running with her namesake collection based out of Miami. Bold lines and unexampled cutouts challenge the traditional bikini, fusing fashion with athleticism, and a touch of Bond-girl appeal. Custom suit creations are also available to best highlight favorite features… and creatively flatter those that are not.
Lingerie
Fashion versus function is perhaps never more apparent when if comes to intimate apparel. No matter how much accumulated, stylized lace and satins remain dormant in drawers in lieu of the go-to comfy, albeit dowdy, favorites. Co-designers Ali Mejia and Mariela Rovito set out to create a line that would flatter women’s bodies, yet feel good against their skin too. Since 1996, their brand Eberjey has been doing just that. Starting with the Boy Short, Eberjey has conquered one part of the body at a time with thongs, bralets, camis, pajamas, and loungewear that defined girly-sexy-comfy style. Lush fabrics delicately cling to the skin, while touches of perfectly-laid lace seamlessly contour the body’s curves.
Eberjey has since expanded its soft, feminine style with a swimwear line, but even more enticing is its darling Girls Mini swim line of suits trimmed in delicate ruffles.
Rugsies’ Bonus Picks: Furniture Design
As an interior designer, Bea Pila uses space as her model to convey her clients’ personal style. The hallmark of her work is custom-like pieces and other one-of-a-kind finds that are not only beautiful, but inspire use and enjoyment. But uncovering these unique pieces wasn’t always easy. In fact, it was sometimes impossible. This prompted her to expand into furniture design to fill in these missing gaps.
Thus began her game of Hide & Seek, a furnishing and accessory collection highlighting vintage acrylic in unexpected ways. Organic-meets-glamour with cushions of hair-on-hides combined with the sleek lines of acrylic and chrome, while heavy woods and mirrored tabletops seemingly float from their translucent bases. What we really love about this line is the high fashion-inspired details, as seen in the leather straps with stitching and metal accents via buckles and end caps. The results are striking statement pieces for the home that somehow fit in with any design environment.
Michael Wolk Design Associates
Michael Wolk sees no differentiation between art and furniture design. With a formal education in painting and sculpture before focusing on industrial design, he claims to use the exact same processes across all three mediums in bringing a vision to life. Furniture just happens to have the functionality. As with any artist, Wolk finds inspiration all around when creating his pieces – noting that a simple landscape hedge was the impetus for his signature Miami Chair. With vast experience, technology, and drive, Wolk’s team has evolved into master technicians in supporting an idea with the highest quality materials, processes, and form. The result is a portfolio of pieces that are clean, yet stylized…. we’d call them utilitarian sculptures.
As you seek out these local gems, remember that Sudsies specializes in the cleaning and care of all types of clothing, including couture & designer labels, bridal, hand-sewn pieces and other delicate items. Our sister company, Rugsies, cares for the “garments of your home” with upholstery, drapery and rug cleaning, including stain removal services.
An Alter[native] Holiday: Tips on how to Refresh your Wardrobe for the Season!
Dec 3rd
Food, drink, gifts… the holidays tend to bring out the decadence in everyone. And party attire is no exception, but sometimes we don’t have the extra time or the extra funds to invest in new cocktail attire. This season, we asked our alterations team to provide ideas on how to revamp our favorite, albeit dated, garments into updated pieces with just a few simple tweaks.
THE LONG AND SHORT OF IT: Hemlines range all length this season, but generally, just-above-the-knee or tea-length can be tricky.
Shorten – Minis are still ever popular. For the bold and the leggy, try bringing up the hem just a couple inches for a younger look. Asymmetrical cuts with slightly longer backs are an even more modern take, plus provide extra coverage.
Lengthen – If your mini days are over, lengthening with a different material adds texture to an outfit. Try a silk band with a velvet shift dress, or vice versa. For a more architectural look, opt for a ruffled hem at the base of a pencil or other form-fitting skirt.
BEJEWELED: Jewelry, phone cases, teeth…. bling is everywhere! Garments are no exception, as even sweatshirts this season are embellished with gems and beads.
Subtle – Isolate an area of the garment – collar, pockets, sleeves, for example – and create a simple monochromatic pattern of oversized crystal and rhinestone flatbacks. This can be done in the same color as the dress or in contrasting choice (white with black and vice versa, black with a baby blue dress, canary yellow with navy, etc.)
- Elaborate – Cover the whole piece in an elaborate pattern, featuring all sizes, textures, and/or colors of rhinestones, crystals and beads. This technique can be particularly striking on a mini dress, blazer and/or full skirt.
AT ARM’S LENGTH – For winter, sleeves of varying fabrics and silhouettes add a touch of warmth, but also appeal, to a garment.
Long – Create a slim long sleeve with an accent material, such as an elegant lace, sheer silk or leather. Three-quarter length is also a classic option.
Short – Update with a strap or trim of cut lace that flows off the shoulder. Or, create a bold cap-sleeve of gemstones.
More information about Sudsies and its sewing and alternation services can be found at www.sudsies.com or by phoning 1.888.898.SUDS (7837). You can visit us at our Miami Beach (6786 Collins Ave) or North Miami (12711 Biscayne Blvd) locations for a consultation or have us pick up your items directly from your home or other location of choice.
Your team at Sudsies wishes you a happy, safe and ever-fashionable holiday!!!
Sudsies Dry Cleaners & Laundry Announces Expansion of Environmentally-Friendly Cleaning Systems
Sep 5th
Clothing at Sudsies Dry Cleaners & Laundry will take on an even greener tone. The South Florida-based dry cleaner announced the expansion of its environmentally-friendly cleaning department with the most recent high-performance equipment and agents. These processes mainly incorporate Professional Wet Cleaning and Hydrocarbon Cleaning, cited by the Toxic Use Reduction Institute (TURI) in Massachusetts as among the top alternatives to traditional perc dry cleaning systems that better support environmental and consumer health.
“It’s not easy being green, but it’s among our top priorities here at Sudsies,” says Founder and President Jason Loeb. “We’re constantly exploring new and improved ways to impart the biggest impact on our clientele with cleaner, better-looking garments, while having the least impact on the environment.”
Professional Wet Cleaning is an alternative process incorporating biodegradable detergents, texture enhancers and specialized finishing equipment. According the recent TURI report, the method does not emit hazardous air pollutants and requires the lowest electricity usage of all garment cleaning options. Additional key environmental organizations including Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Green Peace, and Sierra Club Green Home deem wet cleaning as the most eco-friendly solution. While the technology isn’t the newest of the perc dry cleaning alternatives and has its limitations, it has evolved with significant improvements to its effectiveness and safety. New cleaning solutions and computer controlled conditions are gentler on fabrics, helping to maintain the integrity of the garment and a new-like appearance.
Despite wet cleaning benefits, there is still no single cleaning process that is perfect for all types of clothing. To best provide high-quality effectiveness across the vast range of its in-bound clothing, Sudsies has also incorporated Hydrocarbon Cleaning to its arsenal of green alternatives. This second innovation does not rely on any Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-classified hazardous air pollutants to function and is recommended by the agency’s Design for Environment Program. Sudsies’ hydrocarbon technology is especially suited for fragile articles, vintage wears, and intricate couture pieces, all of which are core specialities for the company.
Eco-friendly initiatives are part of Sudsies’ care trifecta for its clients, clothes and environment. The dry cleaner’s full-service offerings include dry and wet cleaning, laundry, alterations, restoration services, vintage and couture care, bridal gown preservation and on-site home cleaning. Customer convenience is further enhanced with complimentary personal pick-up and delivery to all locations across Miami-Dade and Broward counties, as well as nationally via a Sudsies Express Mail service that cleans and ships garments across the United States.
More information about Sudsies and its offerings can be found at www.sudsies.com or by phoning 1.888.898.SUDS (7837).
Snow Bunnies: Good. Dust Bunnies: Bad The Sudsies Guide to Ski Wear Storage
May 2nd
Time to replace the hot cocoa with lemonade…ski season is coming to a close. Hopefully, you’ve mastered a new trick or two on the slopes, though it’s likely your snow apparel underwent a little wear-and-tear in the process. Before storing ski clothing, there’s a few things you can do to ensure its in tip-top shape for when the resorts reopen.
- Give all items a good cleaning to remove any excess water and prevent mold and mildew from harboring over the summer. This includes, hats, headbands, gloves, scarves and socks (no, your boots are NOT the best place to be storing your socks).
- For the extreme winter sport adventurers (or just the accident-prone), now is the time to mend any rips and tears in jackets and pants to help prevent any further damage, as well as remove stains so they don’t permanently set or attract critters while in storage.
- Once clean, do not store items in plastic bags or containers. This will only lock in moisture and humidity, counteracting the benefits of cleaning beforehand. Storing without any protectant or well-sealed coverings, on the other hand, can make clothing susceptible to insects and other pests. Specialty storage boxes or natural cotton garment bags, such as those found at the Container Store, are good options. Clean, ventilated suitcases are another alternative.
- Ideally, avoid placing in environments prone to high temperatures. Cool, dark, dry places help prevent any fading and mildew growth.
As for tips on extending the life of ski gear, check out this article from SkiMag.com: http://www.skinet.com/ski/article/how-store-your-ski-gear-summer
Proper storage takes a little extra effort, but come next winter, you’ll be ready to hit the slopes! Let Sudsies make it a littler easier for you…we’re known for our specialty garment services and can have your items clean and ready for their summer hibernation. For even more added convenience, make use of our new Sudsies Express Services, where you can ship your clothes to us right from your ski town and we’ll prepare and have them delivered back to your South Florida home, or wherever your Summer travels take you within the USA..
Hanging Tough . . .
Jul 30th
I recently read an article that detailed the world’s most expensive clothing hanger. For $460, you get a birch-wood plywood mold with your selection from an array of designs across the lower rod area. You’d have to be a pretty serious, and wealthy, fashionista to invest in that.
While not as extravagant, we at Sudsies think our hangers are pretty nifty too. Forget wimpy wires, your clothes will hang happily upon return from our facility. The blue coating is safe on fabric, while the speciality design ensures no wearing or warping around the shoulder area. For slippery garments, our plastic hangers have built-in fasteners, while our wide shoulder design option supports heavier pieces to prevent any sagging.
Even Mother Nature loves our packaging, which is made completely from recyclable material. Furthermore, we provide recycling assistance for the hangers (if you’re willing to part with them) – simply return the items to our facility, or place with your next Sudsies order for complimentary pick-up.
While your clothing may not command a $460 hanger, they do deserve to be perched on quality hangers that preserve their look and overall life. For more information about our many laundry and dry cleaning services, visit us at www.sudsies.com.
Clean Tip from Sudsies: Once your dry cleaning order is returned safe and sound, remove the plastic covering before placing back in closet to prevent any humidity moisture from building up and getting locked inside, which can cause damage to your favorite items over time. Good news, Sudsies protective coverings are made of recyclable materials too!
Become a Happy Camper!
Jul 23rd
As our children head to camp this Summer, we can expect them to return with tales of adventure, new skills, souvenirs….and a lot of soiled clothing. When it comes to the Great Outdoors, it’s the gritter, the better for kids. No worries – let us at Sudsies Dry Cleaners & Laundry battle the mud, grass and other “natural wonder” stains with quick, easy laundry service by the pound. We give each item a deep cleaning, preparation and ready-to-go delivery for a fresh send-off or storage until next Summer.”
Arranging laundry service with us is as easy as one, two… tree (sorry, couldn’t resist)! Through out customer service team or our website, arrangements can be self-scheduled or automated on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis for day camp needs. For those embarking on lengthy sleep-away camp excursions, we also accommodate bulk loads. Priced at $1.89 per pound, the service includes eco-friendly washing, drying, and folding before being placed in neat packaging. In addition to clothing and towels, our team specializes in care for sleeping bags, tents, even Teddy and other stuffed camp companions. For additional convenience, all items can be picked up directly from the home and returned within a two- to three-day timeframe.
What are you waiting for? Tell Summer laundry to take a hike and contact us today at 888.898.SUDS (7837) or www.sudsies.com.
SUDSIES TIP: Planning a family vacation? Take advantage of Sudsies’ laundry service in preparation for or following the big trip, so you can focus less on packing/unpacking chores and more on all the exciting new memories.
CLEANING UP WESTON, ONE GARMENT AT A TIME
Mar 24th
Sudsies Dry Cleaners & Laundry Expands Services within Broward County
MIAMI BEACH, FL — Favorite garments maintain their hanger appeal thanks to Sudsies Dry Cleaners & Laundry. Lauded in South Florida for its wide array of quality clothing care and personal customer attention, the dry cleaning company now delivering this unique experience to Weston. The Sudsies mobile fleet will cover every residential and commercial location across the city six days a week, offering complimentary pick-up and delivery for all services.
“Like our vans, word-of-mouth travels quickly across South Florida, and we’ve seen an increased demand to expand our Broward country presence,” says Jason Loeb, Founder and CEO of parent company Brandsies. “Our clients appreciate the results, but also the convenience they enjoy when using our services and we’re looking forward to taking great care of our Weston customers.”
Westonites will enjoy the full scope of Sudsies eco-friendly services including dry cleaning, laundry and alterations. Speciality services such as couture cleaning, vintage repair, bridal gown preservation and damage restoration are supported by a detailed expertise to ensure appropriate methods are applied for the maintenance of more delicate garments. Customers can schedule their preferred times with just a click of the mouse on the dry cleaner’s website at www.sudsies.com, where they can also manage their personal account, track the status of their order and make special requests. Scheduling can also be done via email or phone to the customer care department at info@sudsies.com and 305.864.3279. Those with predictable loads can arrange regularly scheduled services on a daily, bi-weekly or weekly basis in advance. Freshly cleaned, pressed or repaired items are returned within 72 hours; however, unique rush requests are accommodated.
In addition to Weston, Sudsies serves the entire Miami-Dade area, as well as several regions in Broward and Palm Beach counties. High-tech facilities, in-depth expertise and customer focus are a part of the Sudsies S.M.I.L.E. mantra to provide friendly, impacting experiences for its clientele. More information about Sudsies and its offerings can be found at www.sudsies.com or by phoning 1.888.898.SUDS (7837).
About Sudsies Dry Cleaners & Laundry
Based on Miami Beach, Sudsies is full-service dry cleaning company dedicated to clean clothes, clean service and a clean environment. An industry pioneer for South Florida home pick-up and delivery services, the Sudsies fleet of bubbly, blue and yellow vans offer prompt service to every nook and corner across the tri-county area, while a team of highly-trained specialists care for garments and customers with a smile. The vast range of services includes ecological dry cleaning and laundry processes, alterations and tailoring, clothing restoration, bridal gown storage or alteration and knowledge of specialty items such as couture garments. At Sudsies, customers look and feel their best, while sister company Rugsies Carpet & Drapery ensures customers live in their best with on-site home or office cleaning for carpets, drapes furniture and other home items. For more information about Sudsies, please call 1.888.898.SUDS (7837) or visit www.sudsies.com.
Clothes that are Wrinkle Free
Apr 27th
In a society seemingly obsessed with eternal youth and perfection, it’s no surprise that “wrinkle-free” clothing has become as prevalent in American closets today as Lava Lamps were on desks in the ’70s.There’s also the matter of time – something fewer and fewer of us seem to have in today’s go-go-go world. Who really has time to painstakingly remove wrinkles – unless they happen to pop up around our eyes? And even if we do have the time on our hands, do we really want to spend it
smoothing out wrinkles?
So it’s easy to see why a trend that started in the early 1990s with men’s pants has become a virtual mainstay in today’s fashion world. And while it’s nice to have a closet full of wrinkle-free garments, it doesn’t guarantee that your clothes will never end up looking at least a bit like Clint Eastwood on a hot summer day.
After all, you’re still at the mercy of a conventional dryer when you go the wrinkle-free route. Which means you can’t ensure that all your cuffs and collars have the perfect amount of starch. A spot or two might hold on to excess moisture. Stains and smudges may rear their ugly heads. A crease could creep in when you can least afford it. You get the picture.
The fact is, the only real way to assure your garments remain wrinkle-free – even the “wrinkle-free” ones – is to take them to a dry cleaner. And not just any dry cleaner, but one that specializes in special care. Like hand-checking. Hand-cleaning. Hand-pressing. And hand-finishing. Your dry cleaner should personally and meticulously examine every inch of every piece according to material type, ornamentation, construction of garment and designer detail. For the best results, look for a dry cleaner who’s professionally trained by the National Cleaners Association(there are only two accredited dry cleaning schools in America).
So why not bypass the wrinkle-free label, and buy the clothes you really want to wear and love? And bring them into Sudsies for the proper cleaning care.
Because we take the time to assure that your special clothes receive extra special care. Which means that all designer garments, delicates and specialty items are cleaned, treated and pressed by hand. Whether it’s a Giorgio Armani suit, a Christian Dior silk gown or a custom-crafted dress shirt, they’ll all receive this specialized level of attention from us.
It’s this meticulous attention to detail that has earned Sudsies a reputation as the finest luxury, or couture, dry cleaner throughout South Florida. It’s why area celebrities, luxury clothiers and the best-dressed Floridians (both full- and part-time) bring their beloved garments to us – or have us pick them up, free of charge.
And it’s the best way to truly eliminate wrinkles – and worries.
So it’s easy to see why a trend that started in the early 1990s with men’s pants has become a virtual mainstay in today’s fashion world. And while it’s nice to have a closet full of wrinkle-free garments, it doesn’t guarantee that your clothes will never end up looking at least a bit like Clint Eastwood on a hot summer day.
After all, you’re still at the mercy of a conventional dryer when you go the wrinkle-free route. Which means you can’t ensure that all your cuffs and collars have the perfect amount of starch. A spot or two might hold on to excess moisture. Stains and smudges may rear their ugly heads. A crease could creep in when you can least afford it. You get the picture.
The fact is, the only real way to assure your garments remain wrinkle-free – even the “wrinkle-free” ones – is to take them to a dry cleaner. And not just any dry cleaner, but one that specializes in special care. Like hand-checking. Hand-cleaning. Hand-pressing. And hand-finishing. Your dry cleaner should personally and meticulously examine every inch of every piece according to material type, ornamentation, construction of garment and designer detail. For the best results, look for a dry cleaner who’s professionally trained by the National Cleaners Association(there are only two accredited dry cleaning schools in America).
So why not bypass the wrinkle-free label, and buy the clothes you really want to wear and love? And bring them into Sudsies for the proper cleaning care.
Because we take the time to assure that your special clothes receive extra special care. Which means that all designer garments, delicates and specialty items are cleaned, treated and pressed by hand. Whether it’s a Giorgio Armani suit, a Christian Dior silk gown or a custom-crafted dress shirt, they’ll all receive this specialized level of attention from us.
It’s this meticulous attention to detail that has earned Sudsies a reputation as the finest luxury, or couture, dry cleaner throughout South Florida. It’s why area celebrities, luxury clothiers and the best-dressed Floridians (both full- and part-time) bring their beloved garments to us – or have us pick them up, free of charge.
And it’s the best way to truly eliminate wrinkles – and worries.
