The Man Definitely Makes the Suit

They say the suit makes the man, but Franklin Moss, Jr. disagrees. According to his philosophy, “The man definitely makes the suit.” However, decades-long experience in men’s fashion has shown him the magic of a well-constructed and fitted ensemble. Does it make the man? No. Does it enhance the man? Yes.

Moss is the creator and co-owner of Franklin & Anthony, a bespoke menswear and womenswear company in Fort Worth that continues to grow and evolve since its launch in 2015. The clothier’s ethos is simple: quality fabric and keen design make a lasting impression. This Deion Sanders-like ideology of how presentation affects outcome (“If you look good, you feel good. If you feel good, you play good. If you play good, they pay good.”) was adopted by Moss back when he went by a different name.

In the early 2000s, Moss was a young kid pursuing a hip-hop career. He was known to everyone as Quite Frank and was known as much for his style as his rhymes. It was one of the constant themes in his music, too.

photo credit: Jordan Smith

“I used to rap about fashion. But because we were all in college, I still went to Burlington Coat Factory and Ross to get thrifty clothes that were in style,” said Moss, laughing as he recalled his bold choices then. “I remember being one of the first people to wear Ed Hardy before it actually became something big. The thing that made me stand out more was my fashion was always different. I used to get clowned in the neighborhood because I used to wear skinny jeans before skinny jeans were the thing.” He grinned, “And now, the people who clowned me back then are still wearing skinny jeans even though skinny jeans are no longer the thing!”

Fashion came naturally to Moss. He had confidence and an intuition for predicting trends, and he caught the attention of an industry professional. By 2005, Quite Frank was part owner of Supreme Records, a Fort Worth label promoting Texas hip-hop artists. The manager of Supreme Records’ biggest artist expressed an interest in also managing Moss. “He wanted to manage me. But he didn’t like me as a rapper. He [understood] the potential that I had as a brand…and thought I should get into fashion more,” said Moss.

Around this time, Moss was already elevating his style, transitioning from urban wear to menswear under the influence of a debonair cousin, who dressed the part of the quintessential gentleman – waistcoats, cardigans, pocket squares, etc. This cousin’s advice was straightforward: “When you get dressed for work, you should be able to take that same outfit and go to the club.” This advice resonated with Moss, a single man at the time. When he embraced this more formal look, Moss noticed that others’ behavior towards him changed.

photo credit: Jordan Smith

“People treat people different if they’re wearing a suit. I used to think it was because I was a Black man, but I’ve learned it’s far beyond that. The conversation is different. The treatment is different. You also create a new environment every time you walk in a room wearing a suit,” said Moss.

Of course, hindsight can make everything obvious, but we often lack vision in the moment. Despite emceeing fashion shows across the country and eventually working as a stylist, it wasn’t until a school friend, Keaon Anthony, asked if he wanted to start a suit company did Moss consider turning an interest into a formal pursuit.

The friends knew the only thing that stood between them and success was the need to learn the business side of fashion while providing for their families. Moss’s club days were behind him as he was now a married man and father, and the same applied to Anthony. So, in addition to full-time jobs, they apprenticed at Persona, a Dallas-based suit company, for a year before starting Franklin & Anthony.

“We worked to learn the game and to have an understanding of how things worked. We were able to do research to find fabric companies, and that’s when we found the tailors and everything we needed,” said Moss. (The owner of Persona gave his blessing to the duo to study the business. He and Moss remain good friends today.)

Franklin & Anthony opened in 2015, offering an alternative to the fast-casual trends athleisure helped create. But the multi-billion-dollar fashion industry has never intimidated Moss. On the contrary, it only helps his business. While three-piece suits and pocket squares are not as commonplace as leggings and poly-blend golf polos, there is a consumer base looking for sophisticated options. Even in Fort Worth.

“There are still people who live a gentleman’s life or believe in that world of looking good and feeling good,” said Moss. And it’s those individuals Franklin & Anthony serves.

Moss works with his clients to design a suit or wardrobe from scratch, incorporating elements that reflect their personality. Not only do clients walk away with an outfit tailored to fit like a glove, but they also receive an education in the process. Rather than designing behind closed doors before presenting a finished piece to the client, Moss adopts the role of collaborative partner, preferring to involve his clients in all decisions so that they leave with an understanding of and an appreciation for how their suit was built. “I feel like we create the suit together,” said Moss who shies away from being labeled a “designer.”

photo credit: Angie Garcia

In almost a decade of business, some things have changed at Franklin & Anthony. Keaon Anthony left in 2016 to focus on family, and Moss now runs things with another Anthony – Michael Anthony. COVID hit, but their sales doubled. Their customer base now extends well beyond Texas. A true-to-its-roots operation, Franklin & Anthony collaborates with local artists like Sunflowerman and embraces the Western culture of the city, designing a line of high-end denim and pearl snap shirts. “We’re trying to show that you can do luxury menswear and still be a Fort Worth person… because we’re fancy whether we want to acknowledge it or not,” said Moss. The company also plans to open a haberdashery in late 2024 or 2025, employing in-house tailors and pattern cutters from a Dallas-area design school.

Moss’s designs are bold and assertive, but he’s humbled by his success, always acknowledging the friends, partners, and mentors he’s encountered along the way. He’ll tell you he’s still earning his seat at the table. Whether true or not, he’s sure to be the best-dressed one seated there.