IMAGE OF THE YEAR 2002

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Awarded by the NAUMD and Career Apparel Institute

The entrants of the National Association of Uniform Manufacturers and Distributors’ (NAUMD) 2002 Image of the Year Awards were the most diverse to date. They ranged from family amusement parks to city sanitation departments, national parks to public transportation. The entries were so across the board that many did not compete with each other at all. In fact, many entries stood alone in their category. But the main theme was clear: This was the year for America, and the Image of the Year Awards ceremony at 69th Annual NAUMD convention in Miami, Fla., proved it.

The standing room only show opened with a performance by the award winning Coral Park High School Band. The fashion show followed with awards presented. In what had to be one of the most emotional scenes at any NAUMD convention, President Joe Chiusolo presented a $35,000 check to Joseph Proscia of the New York Fire Department (Engine 54, Ladder 4, Battalion 9). Firefighter Proscia’s fire company lost 15 firefighters as a result of Sept. 11. In his brief speech, he thanked the NAUMD on behalf of all of the firefighters. To date, the members of NAUMD donated $1,584,392 in uniforms, boots and accessories to the recovery effort.

The Image of the Year Awards program is sponsored by the Career Apparel Institute, a division of the NAUMD. Winning programs incorporate image projection, neatness, practicality, use of color, originality and coordination of garments with accessories and are showcased at the NAUMD’s annual convention, the uniform industry’s largest annual convention and exhibit. Top winners receive awards, extensive publicity, and, most importantly, employee pride and satisfaction.

The Image of the Year judges, a panel of garment and fashion experts, were reminded that not all of the programs have the same uniform allowance and are judged accordingly. All of the winners did, however, develop a career apparel look to compliment their working environment. The following pages highlight this year’s Image of the Year Awards top winners and suppliers.

Congratulations to all winners on another successful competition.


 

Winner
Alamo Rental Car
Tour the U.S.A. in your Chevrolet or any other model car. You can rent them all from Alamo Rental Car Co., whose uniforms have a distinct, fun look. Featuring practical fabrics and bright colors, they are easily identifiable and maintained.

Supplied by Cintas and San Francisco Knitting Mills

 

Winner
Chicago Streets & Sanitation Department

Good visibility and comfort are the objectives of the uniforms designed for the Chicago Streets and Sanitation Department, whose employees work 24/7 to keep the city streets clean and safe. Workers enjoy wearing their personal protective apparel in a program which received strong support from Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley.

Supplied by Head Lites Corporation and National Spinning Company

 

Winner
Disneyland Resort Paradise Pier Hotel

The U.S. Constitution states that every citizen has the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Disneyland California’s Paradise Pier Hotel is dedicated to the idea that happiness can be found at the ocean’s edge. Its new career apparel program celebrates the nostalgic atmosphere of beachfront resorts of yesteryear.

Supplied by Disneyland, Hamburger Woolen Company and Milliken

 

Winner
Green Valley Ranch,
a Station Casinos’
Resort & Spa

Americans out to paint the town red, white and blue can enjoy a vacation at Green Valley Ranch, a Station Casinos Resort & Spa in Las Vegas, Nev. An unusual casino resort career apparel program is the perfect complement to this totally unique resort hotel, with its Argentinean ranch motif. A trendy yet classy look assists in creating an exciting venue for its customers.

Supplied by Angelica Image Apparel

 

Winner
Metro Transit

The American public is constantly on the move, and buses are one of the mainstays of our transportation system. Sporting a patriotic red, white and blue logo, Metro Transit provides bus service for travelers in Minneapolis, Minn.

Supplied by Uniforms Unlimited, Fechheimer, Leventhal Ltd., Samuel Broome Uniform Cravats and San Francisco Knitting Mills

 

Winner
Peninsula Hotel, Chicago

Chicago is represented twice in the Image of the Year Awards. Bet your bottom dollar youll lose your blues in Chicago, especially if you stay at the Peninsula Hotel. In line with 5-Star service, its career apparel program utilizes a collection that captures the minimalist elegance of the hotels Asian heritage.

Supplied by Cintas and San Francisco Knitting Mills

 

Winner
Ritz-Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation

One of the greatest American pastimes is golf. An outstanding uniform program can be seen by golfers who vacation at the Ritz-Carlton Lodge at the Reynolds Plantation in Greensboro, N.C. Featuring early Century golfing attire, the colors and textured tweeds coordinate with the local environment. The costumes are thematic without being overdone.

Supplied by Cintas and Burlington Raeford

 

Winner
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

In 2003, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service will celebrate 100 years of preservation and conservation, with over 6,000 uniformed employees throughout the nation. This suit provides appropriate dress attire for service employees performing public outreach for the centennial celebration. The dress attire helps employees to feel like peers at public events.

Supplied by VF Solutions, Edwards Garment Co. and Hardwick

 

Winner
Walt Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

One of the most uniquely American vacation and entertainment venues is Walt Disneys Animal Kingdom Lodge, which presents an outstanding uniform program, notable for its creative costuming. Representing the traditional African safari in colors of the Serengeti, these uniforms provide ultimate comfort and functionality.

Supplied by Walt Disney World Co., Burlington Industries and Red the Uniform Tailor

 

Winner
Wawa Convenience
Store Chain

Wawa markets name is derived from the Native American word for the Canada goose, which is their corporate logo. Employing the all-American principles of teamwork and encourage-ment, the Wawa Convenience Store Chain values both its customers and employees.

Supplied by Superior Uniform Group and Springfield, LLC

 

Outstanding Achievement
Chick-Fil-A

The Chick-fil-A uniform is an extension of its brand image and reinforces the continuity between locations. The clean-cut, fresh and professional image reflects Chick-fil-A’s corporate position. All polos are 6.5 to 7.5 oz. weight fabric treated with soil release and Sanitech with topstitching and finished plackets. Maternity sizes are available.

Supplied by Blade Sportswear

 

Outstanding Achievement
Cracker Barrel
Old Country Store

Cracker Barrel’s concept has evolved out of pure American traits and beliefs. They are a quest for adventure, a healthy dose of independence – and a commitment to family – regardless of where that family might be. A very important part of the atmosphere Cracker Barrel Old Country Store provides its guests is the way the employees look.

Supplied by Blade Sportswear

 

Outstanding Achievement
Culver Franchising Systems, Inc.

One of the fastest-growing franchise restaurant organizations in the United States today is Culver Franchising Systems. When you go to a Culver’s franchise, you are “greeted like a neighbor, but served like a guest.” This inspired the argyle print of Culver’s blue and yellow, and the retro feel of the neckwear and jacket.

Supplied by Cintas, Dan River, Edwards Garment Co. and Samuel Broome Uniform Cravats

 

Outstanding Achievement
Disney’s California Adventure, Golden State

The Golden State area of Disney’s California Adventure honors the people, places, ideas, and “innoventions” that have defined today’s California. The goal of the costume design was to bring to life the diversity of California. All costumes reinforce this through repeated use of highly themed accessories, patches and unique shirts/blouses.

Supplied the Disneyland Resort

 

Outstanding Achievement
Kmart

This uniform program revolves around a color palette based on the long- standing Kmart “red” logo with touches of “blue light special.” Variety with consistency is the name of the game. Some brands/departments feature the easily identifiable red vest; others utilize apparel specific to job classifications, such as lab coats featured with a special pharmacy embroidery.

Supplied by Angelica

 

Outstanding Achievement
Phillips 66

The uniform program is broken into the following categories: Manager/Sales Associate, Technician/Attendant, Outerwear, Accessories and optional apparel. Garments are logo’d with the store’s brand logo. Primary color in the program is navy. The uniform offers a fresh and updated look for the Phillips 66 employee while meeting the diversified needs of multiple brands.

Supplied by VF Workwear

 

Outstanding Achievement
Siena Hotel & Spa

Located on the Truckee River in Reno, Nev., the Siena Hotel & Spa captures the feeling of Tuscany through the use of color, texture, architecture and ambiance. The uniforms in this program feature rich textured wool crepes, polyester/wool blend, micro velvet, tonal patterned polyester shirting fabrics and specially woven Siena “S” logo fabric. Whenever possible, unisex sizing is integrated to reduce inventory.

Supplied by Career Specialty Apparel

 

Outstanding Achievement
The Inn at Spanish Bay

In this program, the employees appear as if they are blending in with the elegant hotel interiors. The Inn at Spanish Bay offers the elegance of high-end retail with the ability to resupply over a long period of time. They mirror the richness of the interior with charcoal and cognac hues. Fly Front jackets with Hi Closures and slacks are worn for a very sophisticated, unique and “Non-Uniform” look.

Supplied by Cintas

 

Outstanding Achievement
Toys “R” Us

For the ultimate toy shopping experience in stores across America and internationally, this uniform program incorporates red and blue vests that are worn over red twill shirts by both men and women. Toys “R” Us clerks wear blue denim shirts. The colors are vibrant. Screen printing on the back of the vest is very unique, as well as the direct embroidery. Comfort is important and value a significant issue.

Supplied by Crest Uniform

 

Outstanding Achievement
University of Illinois Medical Center

When plans to construct a new Ambulatory Care building were announced, University of Illinois Medical Center knew they needed to create a suitable image apparel program. The apparel line is based on tailored, coordinated, navy blue garments and worn by Ambulatory Services, Guest Services and Administrative Personnel.

Supplied by Angelica

 
Above story first appeared in MADE TO MEASURE Magazine, Fall & Winter 2002 issue. All rights reserved. Photos appear by special permission.
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