Toronto, ON – COBMEX®, a global leader in uniform knitwear, is proud to announce the expansion of its scholarship program with the George Brown School of Fashion. Now in its second year, the program grows from two awards to three, marking a continued commitment to supporting emerging designers and advancing the future of the uniform industry.
The two original scholarships introduced last year, the COBMEX® Innovation in Uniform Design Scholarship and the COBMEX® Sustainability in Uniform Apparel Scholarship, will continue to recognize students for creative design and environmentally conscious thinking. Wanting to provide even more opportunity, COBMEX® is introducing a third award to complement the existing scholarships and highlight overall achievement: the COBMEX® Excellence in Uniform Apparel Scholarship.
This new scholarship is intended to celebrate the top of the class, honoring a student whose work exemplifies both outstanding design and professional promise. With a larger award value, it will stand as the program’s highest recognition and reflect COBMEX®’s ongoing investment in excellence. Students will be asked to submit an essay as part of the application process, providing an opportunity to showcase their ideas and vision.
The announcement comes on National Uniform Day, an initiative of the Network Association of Uniform Manufacturers and Distributors (NAUMD), which recognizes the impact uniforms have across industries worldwide. Aligning with this celebration, COBMEX® underscores its commitment to the next generation of designers shaping the future of uniform apparel.
“We see these scholarships as an investment in the future of our industry,” said Jon Edberg, President & COO of COBMEX®. “The Excellence in Uniform Apparel Scholarship, in particular, is meant to recognize students who set themselves apart at the highest level. These are the people who will bring new skills and ideas into uniform design, and we want to encourage them early in their careers.”
For Pricila Neal, Senior Director of Design & Product at COBMEX® and a George Brown graduate, the initiative carries personal meaning. “As an alumna, I know how impactful recognition can be at this stage. Uniform design goes beyond aesthetics, it’s about how a garment functions in daily use and how it shapes the experience of the person wearing it. This scholarship gives students the opportunity to explore that connection in a meaningful way.”
Rosa Fracassa, Associate Dean of the School of Fashion and Jewellery and Director of the Fashion Exchange at George Brown College, shared her appreciation: “On behalf of George Brown’s School of Fashion, I want to recognize COBMEX®’s outstanding commitment to our students. The COBMEX® Scholarships provides critical support while affirming the skill and promise of emerging designers. Their dedication to innovation and sustainability inspires our students and makes a lasting impact on their academic journey.”
Rick Levine, Executive Director of NAUMD, added: “COBMEX®’s scholarship program is a shining example of leadership in our industry, supporting students, driving innovation, and reinforcing the vital role sustainability plays in the future of uniforms.”
By expanding this program, COBMEX® signals its long-term commitment to education and to the evolution of the uniform industry. Together with George Brown College, the company is not only supporting students today but also helping to shape the leaders and designers who will define the future of uniform apparel. Recipients of all three scholarships will be announced in spring 2026.
About COBMEX® Apparel Inc.:
Founded in 1998, COBMEX® Apparel Inc. is a global leader in the design and manufacturing of high-performance knitwear for the uniform industry. Recognized for innovation, durability, and responsible practices, COBMEX® serves both corporate and public safety uniform sectors. Our mission is to empower distributors and program managers with consistent, reliable uniform solutions. Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, COBMEX® operates with dedicated teams in the U.S., UK, and Mexico. To learn more, visit: www.cobmex.com
About George Brown College:
Toronto’s George Brown College is located on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and other Indigenous peoples. George Brown prepares innovative, adaptable graduates with the skills to thrive in a rapidly changing job market. With three campuses in the downtown core, the college blends theory with experiential learning, applied research, and entrepreneurship opportunities. George Brown offers 223 programs and 182 continuing education certificates/designations across a wide variety of professions to more than 29,800 full-time students and receives more than 64,400 continuing education registrations annually. Students can earn certificates, diplomas, graduate certificates, apprenticeships, and degrees. www.georgebrown.ca.
