NAUMD IMAGE OF THE YEAR® AWARDS
2023 WINNERS
Winner: Hotels & Motels
Member: Design Collective by Cintas
Program: The Conrad Nashville
Inspired by the beautifully crafted interiors of warm woods, seamless glass, satin-finished brass and a curated collection of local art, the Conrad Nashville apparel collection compliments this artistic narrative. Cintas used sublimation printing to create customized fabric that is exclusive for this hotel. This unique print can be seen within ladies’ scarves, blouses, and dresses as well as bowties and neckties. A mix of equestrian and military details are captured throughout this wardrobe collection, balanced out by modern fabrications and finishes. A custom print was created, Tennessee’s state flower, the blue Iris, and can be found throughout. This blue iris is also the base for the color story - shades of blue against deep merlot akin of aged leather and soft ivory to compliment local limestone.
Winner: Lodging, Resorts
Member: Design Collective by Cintas
Program: Renaissance Aruba
The Renaissance Aruba program has 150 wearers across both private island and food and beverage employees. Known for its signature pink flamingos, the color is used in several designs created by Cintas. Fun prints and happy colors are used extensively throughout the program and are intended to evoke a carefree, relaxed mindset. Garments are infused with a myriad of performance features that provide comfort while supporting the work environment. A great example is the look for the Renaissance Island Restaurant. Cintas selected a button-down shirt/blouse style that has moisture management, antimicrobial, and UV protection so that staff can be fashionable, stylish and comfortable.
Winner: Transportation, Shipping & Delivery
Member: Design Collective by Cintas
Program: Pepsi Bottling Ventures
Pepsi Bottling Ventures (PBV) is the nation’s largest privately held manufacturer, seller, and distributor of Pepsi-Cola beverages. The program consists of 2,326 wearers, with uniforms provided for drivers, warehouse employees, technicians, and Supervisors. The program is made up of polos, tees, pants, shorts, and outerwear. This program reduces environmental waste in a way that’s unique and personal to PBV. Design Collective accomplished this with Repreve®, a Unifi material made of 100% recycled plastic bottles — so there’s brand DNA in every fiber.
Winner: Transportation, Ferry Boats
Member: Unisync Group
Program: BC Ferries
BC Ferries operates 39 ferries through 25 routes through the west coast of British Columbia. Garment designs were created with comfort, and professionalism in mind. Crew members are required to stand for long periods of time exposed to elements, so Unisync provided specialized insoles and wide brim hats specifically to address these concerns. The custom-made suiting in 54% Polyester/ 43% Wool/ 3% Lycra, is specific to special event requirements. The parka and pants are 100% polyester thermoplastic polyurethane 15K/10K, 135gsm, seam sealed, waterproof, breathable, high visibility yellow and navy, with reflective CSA striping, and BC Ferries logo affixed on the sleeve. The program encompasses 7000 employees.
Winner: Transportation, Aviation
Member: Unisync Group
Program: Porter Airlines
The Porter Airlines uniforms were designed by Pink Tartan, Kimberley-Newport Mimran and Porter’s branding partner, Winkreative. Glamour and elegance carried through the uniform design and fabric selection, and high end fabrics were a key element. As such the suiting is composed of 100% Italian virgin wool, to provide maximum breathability. Navy Silk ties, neck scarves and leather handbags add to the luxury look, crafted in classic styling married with Porter vibrant accent colors of light blue and orange. There are many statement pieces within the Porter uniform. Examples include a women’s unique peplum, box pleated blazers; the women’s cabin crew trench done in an opalescent navy, and a down jacket with a high neck roll collar.
Winner: Transportation, Bus
Member: Lion/Elbeco
Program: SORTA - Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority
These “new look” uniforms provide SORTA staff with a polished look that is both comfortable and functional. Garments were selected with moisture wicking ability with fabrics that provided stretch but wouldn’t fade, shrink or wrinkle. Pant options include traditional four pocket pants as well as cargo pockets and the hidden cargo pocket concept. All shirts and pants are available in both men’s and women’s sizes to maximize a professional appearance. A three in one jacket program was also chosen that gives operators and staff a waterproof and breathable jacket to service their needs and provide protection from any form of outside elements.
Winner: Restaurants, Single Location
Member: Design Collective by Cintas
Program: The Shore House at Hotel Del Coronado
The Hotel Del Coronado is a living legend; a hotel built in 1888. The Shore House is a new project at the property that offers a unique hotel experience in an extraordinary neighborhood of seaside residences. It is a coastal environment with 53 Team Members, spanning job functions from guest arrival, front desk, as well as Food & Beverage outlet with servers, runners, and bartenders. Garments are a carefully curated mix of pieces from Design Collective’s trusted collaborations and custom designs; featuring fabrics created specifically for the client.
Winner: Restaurants, Quick Service
Member: HALO Branded Solutions
Program: Popeyes
HALO worked with Popeyes to design a new uniform supporting over 3,700 restaurant locations and outfitting all on-site team-members, line/prep crew, shift leader and managers with a new set of uniforms. The collection includes custom aprons with Popeyes embroidery and patches, custom colored manager shirts decorated with Popeyes pocket trim and embroidery, and “chalkboard” name badges. A custom dyed, duplex cotton/poly blend fabric allows team members to benefit from the comfort of cotton and the performance of a recycled poly blend.
Winner: Retail, Department Stores
Member: Unisync Group
Program: Home Hardware
The Home Hardware Retail Collection consists of 37 unique products that express the company’s signature vibrant red with the contrast of black, softened by touches of gray. Offerings include t-shirts, polos, shirts, sweaters, fleece jackets/vests, pants, shorts, aprons and a full range of outerwear specific to job function needs. Unisync added a refresh for this longtime client by adding a variety of technical outerwear products with updated fabric, trim and fit. The vests and outerwear are stylish, comfortable, cozy, and provide outstanding temperature regulating properties.
Winner: Retail, Grocery Stores
Member: Dimensions
Program: Tesco
Tesco PLC is a British multinational grocery and general merchandise retailer. With 275,000 uniform-wearing colleagues, Tesco's uniform program is focused on a diverse offering to include all wearers' needs based on individual requirements and job functions. To accommodate a variety of roles, the uniform range is vast, and includes long and short sleeve polo shirts/t-shirt; long and short sleeve blouses and short sleeve casual top options; tunic/pharmacy long sleeve shirt; menopausal short sleeve casual top; maternity roll up sleeve blouse, cargo trouser, chino trouser, smart formal trouser for managers; heavy padded bonded jacket, hoodie, baseball cap/wool hat; and a waterproof outerwear jacket.
Winner: Retail, Automotive Dealerships
Member: HPI X Bamko, a Division of Superior Group of Companies
Progra: Tesla
Tesla’s previous non-centralized and inconsistent approach to purchasing uniform items across different departments and locations did not represent their desired image, so focus on consistency was a driving force behind the redesign. Tesla tasked HPI with incorporating the sleek and modern aesthetic of their cutting-edge automobiles into the new uniform pieces. To accomplish this, HPI added subtle components such as hidden buttons and zipper pulls. The overall program exudes a retail-oriented modernity that aligns perfectly with Tesla's forward-thinking and innovative brand. To further emphasize authenticity and Tesla's commitment to quality and ownership, each garment bears a signature red grosgrain tape.
Winner: Retail, Specialty Stores
Member: Design Collective by Cintas
Program: Verizon Retail Team
While a polo is at the heart of the new Verizon program, the blade polo is not your typical, traditional shirt. A recent update to the retail interiors influenced the overall apparel design and helped create a cohesive brand image. The program consists of modern blade polos (short sleeve & long sleeve), black jeans and a black puffer as a layering piece.. The blade polo has double faced knit, which has a pique cotton front for a retail-inspired look, and a smooth performance knit backing with moisture wicking for comfort. A 3D-printed Verizon logo ties the program together for a modem, clean and on brand look.
Winner: Retail, Fuel Service
Member: Unisync Group
Program: Petro-Canada
The Petro-Canada dealer network is Suncor Energy’s internal clients, and achieving stylish, subtle branding details was important to the company. This program was streamlined from two colorway options in male and female, long and short sleeve, to one colorway option in male and female in short sleeve and long sleeve. Suncor Energy required that next to skin garments can not be comprised of more than 50% polyester,as polyester is known to conduct static. Unisync constructed a 60% cotton, 40% polyester plaited pique for both their polos and their headwear to meet this requirement. In order to also preserve the vibrant Petro-Canada red pantone, the design team developed the plaited pique knit so that the polyester is plaited to the face of the fabric and cotton to the underside. This preserves the vibrant red dye, while at the same time exceeding the cotton safety requirement.
Winner: Services, Property Management
Member: Design Collective by Cintas
Program: ADT Sales Team
The ADT Sales Team program outfits the company’s 2,500 solutions advisors. Employees have a variety of items that include polos, patterned woven shirts, women’s blouses, sweaters, tech pants and an outerwear jacket system. All of the shirting is in their signature blue, and it is complemented with black or gray layering pieces. This program utilizes a space dyed knit with moisture wicking technology. The pants have several details, including several pockets and a side hidden zipper pocket, as well as an internal elastic at the waistband. The nylon/spandex fabric allows for movement and flexibility. ADT will also be launching an additional exclusive polo unique to solutions advisors that will possess design elements that connect to the other ADT programs, such as technicians to best tell their brand story.
Winner: Services, Roadside Assistance
Member: Aramark
Program: Penske Corporation
Penske wanted to get out of their long-standing navy uniform and develop something that provided a better company brand image, offered more comfort, and stood as a uniform that the employees would feel proud to wear. They also wanted to provide more female silhouettes to accommodate their diverse workforce. The new uniform program revolved around the redesign of the Penske work shirt. Aramark designed a unique, brand-centric shirt that came in both male and female silhouettes. New styles, such as outerwear options were made available for locations to purchase directly. Some of the jackets are also used for employee recognition or anniversaries.
Winner: Services, Software & Technology
Member: HPI X Bamko, a Division of Superior Group of Companies
Program: CLEAR Ambassador Program
This program consists of a minimal but impactful three items, which include CLEAR’s iconic outerwear vest, a professional but functional patterned gingham shirt, and a low-profile accessory pouch. Protecting CLEAR’s iconic blue and white coloration and professional appearance was set front and center of the rework designed by HPI. Working predominantly in airports and travel hubs, CLEAR employees are on their feet for extended periods of time and must contend with temperatures that vary dramatically. HPI designed a more breathable and ventilated outerwear garment that is not only perfectly suited for use in the colder airport environment but also ensures that employees don't overheat as they move about.
Winner: Services, Cleaning
Member: Aramark
Program: ServiceMaster Restore
ServiceMaster Restore® offers 24/7 disaster restoration services to homeowners and business owners to make properties whole again after disasters such as floods, fire, and smoke damage. Aramark is outfitting 16,000+ wearers ranging from managers and sales teams to technicians and office employees. The uniform program consisted of polos for on-location technicians, woven shirts and oxfords for supervisors and sales personnel, hats, outerwear, pants and t-shirts. All pieces had to adhere to brand standards, had to incorporate the ServiceMaster “spotlight” (the triangle featured in their logo) and keep in line with ServiceMaster Restore’s® sustainability initiatives.
Winner: Entertainment, Historic Landmark
Member: Luly Yang Design Group
Program: Space Needle
The Seattle Space Needle partnered with seasoned uniform designer Luly Yang for a new team uniform refresh. Yang brought her experience in design and architecture, and her understanding of the human form, creating a one-of-a-kind uniform collection for the Space Needle. Garments were created for team members of various work groups: from outdoor and active valet attendants to operators of the 43 second elevator ride up to the observation deck. Included in the collection are polo shirts, mid-layer fleece jackets, rain jackets, hats, and vests. To achieve the perfect fit, Yang used a couture-based 3D approach to garment fitting where the pattern pieces are manipulated around the body to achieve a flattering sculptural look for all body types, instead of using the industry standard flat pattern manipulation.
Winner: Entertainment, Cruise Ships
Member: Design Collective by Cintas
Program: Ritz Carlton Yacht Collection
This was a brand-new venture for The Ritz-Carlton - their first ship. They wanted a unique bespoke wardrobe concept, contemporary fashion with interesting details. It had to be easy care fabrics, with only a few dry clean pieces. Design Collective answered the call with a look that is tailored, with European styling and fit. Inspired by ships sailed by allied forces in WW1, Cintas created a custom fabric that was used throughout the program. Each garment has some element of the battle ship’s “dazzle camouflage,” creating a seamless color story. There is also a custom button of the ship on the tailored pieces as well as a custom lanyard, silk scarf and pocket.
Winner: Entertainment, Amusement Parks
Member: Universal Orlando
Program: Bourne Stuntacular
The Bourne Stuntacular is an all-new live-action stunt show in Universal Studios Florida. Universal Orlando sought input from the Bourne franchise to ensure an authentic look and infused the garments with performance features for much needed comfort. UPF protection and moisture wicking were built into the Carolina blue polyester shirting as well as back armhole venting concealed by the vest for extremely hot climates. The navy nylon/spandex baseball cap is flex fit and moisture wicking for continued comfort wearing for weeks at a time. The navy pinstripe polyester vests and trousers/slacks are travel worthy with little care since there is no free time when in pursuit of rogue double agents. In the case of inclement weather during a stake out, a water repellent cotton/polyester trench coat with Teflon finish is standard issue.
Winner: Entertainment, Stadiums & Arenas
Member: Unitex Direct
Program: Miami Grand Prix - Formula 1
The Miami Grand Prix approached Unitex Direct to supply them with 10,000 uniforms for both stadium employees (managing attendees) and track employees (managing the race cars and drivers). The apparel collection on the track side includes a flame retardant orange jumpsuit with embroidered logo, a custom-made gray flame retardant balaclava and a white traffic safety helmet. All shirts for stadium positions were screen printed with the Formula 1 Crypto.com logos. The housekeeping staff attire includes tees and knit shirts colored in navy; while transportation and parking personnel are easily distinguished by royal blue and orange shirts.