Classifying his shop as one-of-a-kind in the area, Pierre says tuxedos are available to rent or to buy. “Our talented staff creates unique looks to include customized buttons, cufflinks and more to make you stand out from the crowd. We offer a wide selection of formal wear, from traditional tuxedos to modern styles. With many colors and styles of accessories to choose from, you can match your date’s dress or just establish your own stylish flair.”
One of the most unique aspects of Michelangelo’s, Pierre says, is its limited edition custom-made suit line. “Every one of my suits is designed with distinctive characteristics using my style of conservativeness with a flair of color. Like Michelangelo, the painters’ art work is described as a blend of insightfulness and creativity my suits are designed with the same quality and craftsmanship.” With a price tag ranging between $400 and $800, he pointed out that the suits, 100 percent wool, are manufactured in Italy with 80 to 90 percent finished and completed by he and his tailors in the shop. “From fabric choice to buttons, each piece of clothing we make is personal in personifying the client.”
He also designs suits and tuxedos for women. “My design shows the beauty and strength of a woman,” he says.
Pierre explained that his goal at the 11659 Penn Hills Dr. store is for it to be known and used for more than just a tuxedo shop. He wants it to fulfill the clothing needs of his customers, many of whom he knows by name. In addition to providing formal wear and suit alterations, tailoring and dry cleaning services are also provided. “Our services are as elaborate as repairing furs to as simple as doing alterations on school uniforms.”
With the name Pierre, he says his family always knew he would be in an industry catering to people. While smiling, he says, “They say this business fits me.” Born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, his family relocated to Pittsburgh in the Hill District when he was 10. “While growing up I was always infatuated with business and wanted to be an entrepreneur. As a kid I collected ink jet cartridges, cut grass and helped older neighbors as a way to make money.” By participating in the Youth Entrepreneur class at Duquesne University while in high school and coupling it with his love of automobiles, he said he also washed and detailed cars as well as changed brakes.
Desiring to own a car dealership, after graduating from Perry Traditional Academy, he attended Northwood University in Florida and Michigan, majoring in automotive marketing and business management. With a strategy, he returned to Pittsburgh with the hopes to work with an established car dealership to start the process of ownership. “I wrote every major dealer explaining my desire, but only one business in Greensburg responded,” he said. “I worked there for a while as well as numerous others until I started selling suits on line in 2010. The business was called Bouaze Pierre Suits Online.”
“My parents, father a taxi driver and mother a home healthcare aide, always taught me and my siblings to work hard and to believe in our dreams. I feel that’s how I ended up with this business,” says Pierre. Leaning on his faith and passion, he said he was led to Michelangelo’s. “I found it on Craigslist where it had been listed for two years. When I walked in for the initial meeting I knew this store was for me. The former owners, Dennis and Pina Clark, thought I had vision and could take it to the next level. Now they work for me as well as their staff person Tina. We are working together.”
Within his year of ownership, he says he has done some remodeling to the building, added crystal chandeliers, new rugs, rearranged the inventory and added merchandise. One thing he also plans to do is put a painting of the Sistine Chapel on the ceiling. “It’s one of the first paintings of Michelangelo who was revolutionary and challenged his self to think outside the box. That’s how I want my customers to think when they come here.”
Pierre’s vision for the store is to have multiple locations. In the next two years he’d like to have a store in Maryland and in the South. He also envisions his custom made suits being sold nationwide.
In five years he hopes to be more community oriented and making an impact in people’s lives. “I want to use my resources to help people here as well as in my native Country.” But in the very near future, with New Year’s Eve only a day away, his goal is to have his customers looking and feeling their best in a Michelangelo suit or tuxedo.
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