Giving back is something Arminius Leonard learned early on from his grandmother.
Growing up on Jacksonville’s Northside, Leonard was surrounded by creativity and craftsmanship, thanks to his grandmother’s gift for sewing. His grandmother also played a key role in launching his first business, a bow-tie shop, assisting with both design and distribution. What began as a childhood lesson soon evolved into a lifelong passion and purpose. Under her guidance, Leonard learned not only how to sew, but how to build something meaningful, skills that would later shape his journey as a customized tailor and entrepreneur.
That early foundation helped Leonard develop the attention to detail and customer-centered mindset that now defines his brand. Today, Leonard is known for his uniquely designed, tailored suits—each piece crafted with intention.
“We believe in telling a story with each fabric thread so we can really give our customers what they want and not what we have,” Leonard said. That philosophy extends beyond fashion and into service.
Recently, Leonard and his team hosted their 4th Annual Prom Tuxedo Giveaway at his studio on Market Street in downtown Jacksonville. With 120 tuxedos available, 102 were distributed to male seniors from Duval County and surrounding areas, helping ensure that financial barriers wouldn’t stand in the way of a memorable prom experience. There was no competitive selection process. Instead, junior and senior high school students were simply required to present a valid student ID and attend with a parent or guardian for fitting and pickup. For Leonard, the event is deeply personal.
A 2008 high school graduate, he vividly recalls his own prom experience. “I remember renting a suit that didn’t quite fit and having limited options for vests and bow ties,” he said with a laugh. That memory continues to fuel his mission to provide young men with not only style, but confidence. Proud of how far he has come, Leonard remains grounded in gratitude and purpose. “I’m doing my part to try to make sure that happens to no one else.”