30 July 2024
A design process truly dedicated to today’s needs
The needs of the UK workforce are incredibly diverse, with companies getting an increasingly detailed understanding of requirements such as fit, fabric, sustainable credentials and protection for specific environments.
How can these requirements be addressed with the uniform available today? Here, our Design Manager, Sara Catanzaro, explains how our design process has evolved to do just that.
what does the design process look like?
The design process at Alsico is all about solving our customer’s problems. Although we do stock innovative ranges that suit many of the workwear requirements that we have been asked for over the years, we collaborate with customers to get to the root of their needs and decide together whether they need something bespoke.
The bespoke designs are a great opportunity for our creative design experts and Alsico Academy team to put their experience to the test and develop something original that truly meets the wearer’s need.
This can sometimes include designing beyond the list of requirements that a customer shares. Based on our own expertise of the industry and its developments, we will make recommendations that creates a uniform that meets their wearer’s needs not only today, but for the coming years too. We look at design elements such as the level of protection, the safety requirements, the fabric type and the overall look and feel of the garments. Then, we collate our ideas and present them back so we can look at the functionality and aesthetics together, as well as make any further adjustments.
how has the design process evolved to meet today’s needs?
Sustainability, and more specifically eco design, has been one of the key considerations for Alsico when it comes to designing over the last 18 months. It really changes the way that you think. In our early conversations with a customer, we will always ask how important sustainability is, in addition to the key features that will benefit the users.
When designing, we are always working to balance the functionality of a garment so we can ensure it is comfortable and protects the wearer, but also that it looks great. Eco design comes into this balance because we also have to consider the environmental impact of features that may be added for aesthetic purposes, and whether this is worth it for the customer’s objectives.
An area that I am particularly proud of Alsico’s commitment to is the sustainability of components that go into a garment. Fabric typically makes up about 85% of a garment, so at Alsico we have invested in more sustainable sources, for example, cotton from the Better Cotton Initiative and recycled polyester. We have also incorporated the use of recycled polyester thread, and are always looking for new approaches to introduce for continuous improvement. Sometimes, this means looking beyond what we are familiar with, exploring garments developed through initiatives with food and beverage waste. We’ve been getting hands on with bio-based fibres including banana leaf fabrics and coffee grind fabrics to see how they might become a part of the Alsico approach!
what inspires alsico’s designs?
Developing garments that excite our customers and meet needs that can be hard to put into words is really important to Alsico, and it’s one of our core focuses in the design team.
We regularly catch up and discuss the day-to-day requests that we are receiving because this helps us to document demand and identify designs that could be beneficial to add to our stocked ranges for customers. However, we also take the responsibility to get out and about and seek inspiration from a number of places.
Developing garments that excite our customers and meet needs that can be hard to put into words is really important to Alsico, and it’s one of our core focuses in the design team.
We regularly catch up and discuss the day-to-day requests that we are receiving because this helps us to document demand and identify designs that could be beneficial to add to our stocked ranges for customers. However, we also take the responsibility to get out and about and seek inspiration from a number of places.
meet our Design Manager: Sara Catanzaro
Sara Catanzaro is the creative force behind alsico's innovative design process. With a passion for sustainability and a deep understanding of the diverse needs of the UK workforce, Sara leads our design team in creating garments that not only protect but also inspire. Her expertise in eco-design has driven alsico to explore new sustainable materials, ensuring that our uniforms meet the needs of today while considering the impact on tomorrow.
Watch Sara explain our design process and commitment to sustainability in this video
"An area that I am particularly proud of Alsico’s commitment to is the sustainability of components that go into a garment. Fabric typically makes up about 85% of a garment, so at Alsico we have invested in more sustainable sources, for example, cotton from the Better Cotton Initiative and recycled polyester.
We have also incorporated the use of recycled polyester thread, and are always looking for new approaches to introduce for continuous improvement."
learn more about the environments we supply into
Environments
wearer protection
Protection is weaved into every part of alsico, we build it into everything we do and it drives our every decision. Our protective workwear range covers all high-safety sectors.
Environments
healthcare
We are one of the largest healthcare uniform suppliers in the UK, and are the majority supplier for the new NHS National Healthcare Uniform project.
Environments
workwear
At alsico, we have shown excellence in a wide range of work uniforms, ranging from warehousing to global travel companies and from transportation to construction.
Environments
electrification
Our passion for creating innovative fabrics has positioned us as a key supplier in the exciting new sector of electrical safety clothing, from battery companies to aerospace, to all anti-static environments.
Environments
contamination control
We have developed a specialism in cleanroom clothing and uniforms, delivering exceptional performance in highly controlled environments.
Environments
emergency response
We are always honored to be asked to provide workwear for our emergency services teams. We put our trust in them to help to look after us, and we do our very best in return, delivering performance when it matters.
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