Not your
great-grandfather’s
uniform company.

1910

A talented tailor named Herman Fruhauf establishes the Fruhauf Southwest Garment Company in Wichita, Kansas. He manufactures ceremonial costumes for local lodges and fraternal organizations. One day, a band director from the nearby town of Marion makes a unique request — marching band jackets. From that day forward, Herman is in the business of manufacturing band uniforms.

1930s

Herman’s son, Ludwig, joins the family business during the Great Depression. He is an accomplished musician and designer who combines his talents to create band costumes of unparalleled quality. His scrollwork, patterns, and embellishments are still used throughout the industry. When Ludwig delivers uniforms to customers, he often brings his young son, Fred.

1940s-1950s

Fred grows up to be a gifted musician and uniform designer like his father. As school athletic programs become more popular, the need for band uniforms grows. The family business is rebranded Fruhauf Uniforms.

1960s-1970s

The Fruhauf legacy continues with Fred’s sons, Kenny and Richard. Uniform design is about to take a turn as school bands look for new ways to express their identities. Kenny and Richard respond by leading their company into the modern era of uniform design and manufacturing. Fruhauf introduces lightweight, washable uniforms for drum corps.

2000s

Fruhauf manufactures band uniforms for the 2000 Broadway revival of “The Music Man.” Designed by William Ivey Long, the uniforms help earn a Tony nomination for Best Costume Design. Two years later, Fruhauf uniforms grace the silver screen in “Drumline,” a critically acclaimed film centered on HBCU show bands.

Fruhauf introduces FLX Fabric and BLK Label, two proprietary brands of high-performance uniform materials featuring enhanced comfort and moisture-wicking technology.

2020s

“The Music Man” experiences a revival in 2022, and Fruhauf is chosen to contribute band uniforms to the show.

Kenny and Richard, along with Richard’s son Landon, continue to revolutionize the Fruhauf experience by bringing uniform production to the cutting edge. Fruhauf designers use the latest software to create digital renderings of stunning uniform styles. The factory is equipped with advanced printing technologies that infuse garments with bolder, brighter, and longer-lasting color.