<b>Owner: </b>
Victor Dash
<b>Short bio: </b>
Reared and educated in Northern Virginia. Began my career in clothing, at age 14, working part-time in family stores while attending school. Then completed courses in Custom Clothing. Went on to learn the business, finally managing my family's Georgetown stores that included:
Dash's Generation Gap; Dash's Western; Dash's Outer Limits (all of which had branches in Rockville, Md. Totaling six stores). After our family stores were closed in 1989, I then held various positions in management, consulting and design in men's departments including: the Custom Shop; Nieman Marcus; and Repp Big and Tall Stores. I then felt knowledgeable enough to open my own store.
<b>Why did you choose this particular business? </b>
I have a passion for men's clothing. I still get excited when I meet a new customer whom I can help in their styling needs within their comfort zone! As a wardrobe stylist, I'm a strong advocate in guiding my customers' to find their personal style. If you're going to Italy, great! But if you're not, Dash's is the next best thing. We import one piece at a time, especially for you! Satisfaction guaranteed!
<b>Why did you choose to work for yourself rather than as an employee for someone else? </b>
Unlike many clothing stores, be it a boutique or department stores, I had a vision for a "real" full-service haberdashery. Our slogan is "innovation within tradition." We truly mean that! We bring the best of the past, such as Italian manufacturers still offering slow quality with fast technology.
In the past, people who wore suits dressed for others. The new culture is moving to dressing for one's self. Clothes will be about collection of today's lifestyle that allows one to wear formal or informal clothes with great freedom: this will be the aesthetic of post-industry society.
Relaxed formal, or informal, can have the same high standard of quality associated with formal. Formal informal defines how two attitudes become just one, a different lifestyle language. This is where men's clothing is headed, and I want to bring the best of it to Alexandria.
<b>What have you learned from being business? </b>
I look forward each day to engaging in new customer relationships. It takes time to build a strong customer base. I feel that the caliber of residents in Old Town and the surrounding area will appreciate a home-town haberdashery and enjoy their shopping experience here at Dash's. I've made the commitment to serve this clientele well!
<b>Share an anecdote of a challenging or humorous experience or biggest surprise learned from working your business: </b>
I like the look on a customer's face when he leaves the store with more knowledge about men's clothing than when he entered. For instance, when a customer asks "do you have Super 100, etc.?", and I explain, that it's not just the "Super Thing", it's the weight of the fabric as well, and the kind of dye that is used on the fabric, that determines the durability and vibrancy of the garment for years to come, is what matters most.
<b>What have been the advantages and/or disadvantages of operating a business in Alexandria? </b>
Old Town's clientele are accustomed to high style, quality, merchandise. The many stylish social events offered here, are conducive to my business. The symphony, theatre patrons and the many charity balls taking place in
Alexandria, provide great opportunities for a quality haberdashery. I love this town.
<b>Description of services and/or products: </b>
Dash's of Old Town dresses men at all stages of their lives, from their first interview to the retired military general re-entering civilian life. We offer custom tailoring for suits and shirts as well as custom fit off-the-rack, mostly European style clothing. Renown names such as: Lubiam, Bruno Magli, Paul and Shark. A fine selection of formal as well as
casual quality sports wears including: shoes, ties, gloves, scarves. We also offer on- and off-site seminars that provide informative answers on how to dress to win (including special courses for recent college graduates) and how to find the right style for you.
<b>Professional affiliations/associations: </b>
Custom Tailors and Design Association; Alexandria Chamber of Commerce; ACVA.