There are suits bearing the names of Calvin Klein and Evan Picone, and handbags by designers Kate Spade and Dooney & Bourke. It looks like a trendy boutique, but the setting for this upscale little shop is Goya Dining Hall.

The innovative new clothing shop Suits U is designed exclusively for students who lack the resources to obtain proper business attire to make a good impression at that job interview or new internship. What makes it unique? NO money will be exchanged. Instead students will “pay” for their business- ready new clothing with volunteer service hours. Felician Sister Annelle Velivis says, “One of our values here at Felician University is – if you receive you should also give. Therefore, the payment for clothing will be volunteer hours, which we will track.”

A $25,000 dollar St. Francis Grant from Felician Services, Inc was used to set up the shop which held a ribbon cutting on October 22. Felician joined forces with Cindy Myer President of Ridgewood Moving Services which supplied the clothing- clothing which is often left behind when people move. Business clothing was also donated by Felician staff members. In addition to suits, men can also get ties at the boutique, and women can get shoes and handbags.

The Suits U project had an educational component as well because it was part of the final course in the school of Business MBA Program. Associate Professor of Business Michael Omansky says, “It was a capstone course, with a lot of moving parts, and one of the moving parts is an eight- week project for a non profit organization.” Students even worked with Associate Professor of Art Michael Nyklewicz who worked with students to create the store’s sign.

The Suits U boutique has business clothing for both male and female students, but no matter how tempting the brand names may be the clothing is off limits to faculty and staff.
About Felician University

Felician University engages over 2,300 undergraduate, graduate, and adult students through programs in Arts & Sciences, Business, Nursing, and Education. Universal Franciscan values of social justice, compassion, and respect for human dignity serve as an inclusive foundation for transforming the lives of tomorrow’s leaders. Felician University’s education is ranked 3rd best return on investment for private colleges in New Jersey 2018 by the PayScale.com College ROI Report and is ranked #1 safest college campus in the state by niche.com.