Archive for March, 2012

Green Carpet Challenge

Wednesday, March 28th, 2012

Incorporatewear the Uk’s premier corporate clothing company proves once again that it is leading the way in sustainable sourcing and development, as top red carpet designers begin to follow its lead.
The Green Carpet Challenge, pioneered by Livia Firth, enabled Hollywood’s finest to showcase sustainable fashion in the most high-profile of surroundings over the awards season.
Mrs Firth recruited Meryl Streep, Michael Fassbender and her husband Colin, amongst others, to promote her campaign, where she has pledged to wear only eco-friendly, responsibly sourced or recycled clothes to every red carpet event she attends including the BAFTAS and the OSCARS.
It has been an uphill battle for Mrs Firth, with the fashion industry, at times, unwilling to support her campaign, yet back in the UK firms such as Incorporatewear Ltd, have spent years developing sustainable products for their clients.
These environmentally friendly, projects are nothing new to Incorporatewear, who have been undertaking R&D, sourcing and supplying products from recycled PET, organic cotton and Tagua “vegetable ivory” for many years.
Chris Wood, Incorporatewear Managing Director, said: “Credit to Livia Firth for bring environmental issues to such a high profile stage, the media interest it has generated can only serve to enhance the profile of such sustainable innovation. Although this kind of garment is the exception rather than the norm in the corporate clothing market at present, it is clear that sustainability will become an increasingly important aspect of corporatewear procurement.”
The publicity gained from this project not only directly highlights an urgent environmental issue; it has also helped raise awareness of other recycling controversies, such as textile waste.
In the UK it is estimated that more than 1 million tonnes of textiles are thrown away every year, at least 50% of those are recyclable, with only 25% of textiles reused or recycled annually.
Mr Wood added: “It is our responsibility to do everything we can to adapt our business in line with the needs of a changing environment, but we wish not to rest on our laurels – we strive to embrace all issues garment and textile-related effecting the environment.”
Given the obvious benefits of using recycled plastic bottles, it is no surprise film stars from around the world are lending their support to this inventive and forward-thinking industry movement.
“Incorporatewear will proceed to develop products in the sustainable mould, whilst continuing to meet the demands of its growing client base.”
We have clients worldwide who strive not only to reduce their own carbon footprint, but will try to influence others into doing the same and we at Incorporatewear are consistently generating research ideas to meet these requirements,” concluded Mr Wood.

ICW Tailored by Jeff Banks

Monday, March 12th, 2012

Incorporatewear, the UK’s premier corporate clothing company, is delighted to announce the launch of a fantastic new catalogue collection, ICW tailored by Jeff Banks.

Jeff Banks CBE, twice UK Designer of the Year, has guided Incorporatewear’s ethos of design for over a decade and created a stunning range of corporatewear for businesses and consumers alike.

“I have applied my uncompromising demands for quality in terms of styling and manufacturing as I do for my branded retail collections”, comments Jeff. “The quality of design, product and service that this range offers at such an excellent price is unsurpassable”.

Beautiful silks ties and scarves, pure cotton shirting and practical tailoring have been combined to provide a mix-and-match collection which blends formality with stylish practicality.

“This fabulous range is aimed squarely at smaller businesses whose wearer numbers might not justify a wholly bespoke look, but still want to reflect a professional corporate image”, explains Chris Wood, Incorporatewear’s Managing Director. “We also expect the collection to appeal greatly to businessmen and women who appreciate the benefits of affordable designer clothing.”

In addition to an easy to use web-site at www.icwjeffbanks.com, Incorporatewear is ensuring the highest levels of client service through a recently-appointed team of sales representatives.

“We understand that businesses value the personal touch,” comments Brian Lamb, Incorporatewear’s Operations Director, “and recognise that providing corporate clothing to even the smallest firm relies on building trust and understanding. These are vital ingredients of our team’s approach.”

ICW tailored by Jeff Banks will be exhibiting at this year’s Workwear and Corporate Clothing Show at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry on 17-18 April 2012.

Why not visit us there at Stand WF4, or find out more at www.icwjeffbanks.com

Inside Incorporatewear: Account Management

Monday, March 5th, 2012

What does your role entail?

I look after all my clients’ corporate wear needs from A to Z. Listening carefully to the brief, we commence with wardrobe design, sampling, cost and selection, and go through to manufacture and distribution. We make sure delivery performance surpasses expectations. Contract retention and organic growth are key, and I am always looking for better ways of working, cost saving initiatives, new ways to engage wearers and any other business stream within my clients’ organisations.

What is the best part of your job?

By far the best part of my job is the sheer variety of work! Account management is not just facilitating. At Incorporatewear, we are the ‘business owners’. It’s like running a whole business from your desk. Design, finance, marketing and sales are everyday events as well as web management, media and publishing. Who else gets to touch on these core business elements on a daily basis?

What is your greatest achievement?

This would have to be winning the Overall Business Manager Award at the 2010 Business Manager Awards, alongside my client. To be singled out in your industry for being at the ‘top of your field’ was just amazing, especially knowing the quality of competition out there.

It was a culmination of many years of personal hard work and effort with my client, to make their corporate wardrobe more than just a uniform. Incorporatewear works very hard to think outside the box to ensure our service offerings are unique, creating better ways of working, which challenge our clients and ourselves.

What is the biggest challenge in your job at the moment?

Offering clients good value for money is key. In this industry, there’s a lot of focus on the cost of garments, and while this is important, there are many ways to make savings other than stripping it out of the clothes.

My personal challenge is to try and make our clients embrace the potential in better ways of working. Wearers are the window to your business. A professional image – portrayed through good quality, well-designed clothes and happy staff – says a lot about your brand. Compared with the cost of refurbishment and advertising, it’s a snip!

What was the most exciting place your job has taken you to?

In one word – China! I took a tour of the factories we use there alongside others in Europe and elsewhere in the world. I was truly amazed at the size, cleanliness and professionalism. I toured onsite accommodation, recreation areas, canteens and food kiosks, where the workers seemed to be living very well.

We challenged the owners on their charity initiatives and found they go the extra mile on this too. We visited infant schools, deprived areas and were able to make a contribution to them on returning home. No trip to China would be complete (business or pleasure) unless one gets to visit the Great China Wall, not for the faint hearted but certainly one for the memory bank.

What is it like working with Jeff Banks?

It is a privilege to have worked closely with Jeff Banks for the last 11 years. Jeff is such a learned individual with ‘hands on’ experience in pretty much everything. He is happy to share his extensive business experience with those around him. Put an idea in front of Jeff, and the end result will far exceed any expectation.