For 10 years the Black Tux has dressed people for the biggest occasion in their lives—their wedding ceremony—and its recent acquisition of a wedding ring maker means the luxury formal wear company can prep them right down to their fingers.
The Black Tux acquired Marke New York for an undisclosed purchase price, and sees this as the next step in helping customers find stylish gear for their wedding day, co-founder Andrew Blackmon told JCK.
The Black Tux and Marke have a lot in common—timeless design, old-school craftsmanship, and a transparent process—so Blackmon believes they will create a good kind of disruption in the jewelry world.
“I’m excited to learn more about the jewelry industry. We’re approaching it with humility,” he says.
Blackmon co-founded the Black Tux with Patrick Coyne in 2012 in Santa Monica, Calif., as an alternative to traditional tuxedo and suit rentals; their goal was to improve the rental process, since Blackmon had had a frustrating experience finding the kind of tux he wanted when he was getting married.
The Black Tux has dressed more than 1.5 million people and had its best year in 2022 with 35% year-over-year growth in revenue, according to the company.
Marke rings are available on its newly revamped website and in select Black Tux showrooms, including in New York City, Chicago, Dallas, and Santa Monica, Blackmon says. The Black Tux is opening another showroom, in Atlanta, this year.
The company estimates the wedding ring industry is worth about $70.5 billion, and it hopes that having the opportunity to buy rings alongside formal wear resonates with customers.
“We’re going to keep Marke the same brand that it is—we don’t want to change the ethos of how they talk to the customer about who they are,” Blackmon says. “We want to create an introduction between our two brands because these are the kinds of purchases that are made around the same time.”
Blackmon says the Black Tux was attracted to Marke because it offers quality jewelry and a presence in the bridal space. Founded in 2018 by brothers Daniel and Ben Mardkha, Marke is described on its website as having “generations of experience in the NYC jewelry business.” The company says it uses heirloom-quality metals that are 100% recycled, ethically sourced, and crafted in New York City.
Marke’s social media noted the acquisition: “We’re joining the Black Tux to help people navigate life’s milestones and celebrations with confidence, style, and ease, and we’re thrilled to be in such good company.”
Blackmon says he hopes to establish something unique within the men’s jewelry industry. “From a broader perspective, men’s jewelry is interesting because [some companies] see it as an afterthought. I like the idea of building something really focused on the masculine perspective,” he says.
Top: The Black Tux has acquired wedding-band brand Marke to expand its reach within the wedding industry. Marke’s products will be sold at Black Tux stores as well as online. (Photos courtesy of the Black Tux)
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