Lady Black Tie recently reported a record 66,500 dresses sold in 2022, an impressive 84% increase compared to the previous year. Their sales volume crowns them as Massachusetts’s largest prom and formal dress business. Launched only four years ago, the Hudson-based company gained massive success by investing heavily in e-commerce, nailing social media and staying on top of the latest fashion trends.
“Most of the prom stores in the region, even the largest ones with 2 dozen or more dressing rooms; they might sell between 4 to 6 thousand dresses annually because they don’t sell a lot through e-commerce,” said Marissa Tilley, the owner of Lady Black Tie.
Shoppers who visit the retail store, located in The Landing at Hudson Mills building, may not be aware that beyond the walls of the retail store, the company commands over 12,000 square feet of warehouse space where employees pack and ship hundreds of online orders daily. The business sells through three channels, e-commerce, retail and a recently launched wholesale line. Although their e-commerce business is the largest driver of their dress sales, Tilley states it’s not going to be their primary focus for 2023.
The Hudson storefront is a major focus of Tilley’s for continued growth in 2023. “This summer, we’re planning a major renovation connecting an adjoining suite that will triple the retail store’s size and add an additional 30 dressing rooms,” said Tilley.
The business also has its own dress line, Velvi. Velvi launched wholesale in 2022 and now sells to other boutiques worldwide through FashionGo, a B2B fashion marketplace.
Shop with Lady Black Tie online or in their store for Prom Season 2023. This includes an assortment of colors and fabrics that is part of one of New England’s largest in-stock inventory.
