The stylish businesses guide to the freshest uniform trends
How to incorporate the latest colours into your venue
We asked the best in the business what’s on the horizon this year
Hello and welcome to the Cargo Crew Trend Report. As the creators of The Modern Uniform, Cargo Crew understands the value of keeping in tune with evolving trends shaping our industry, and we love to be champions of detail. We have a great appreciation for innovative insights that provide opportunities to spark that next great idea, and we strive to offer our clients these same moments.
We invite you to dive into our latest report for ideas and inspiration for the year ahead, plus be informed by the best in the business who share their views on the trends that will shape hospitality in 2023. So, whether you have a bright idea for a new venue, want to refresh your existing offering or just love keeping ahead of the game, our Trend Report is an open invitation to take a few moments to immerse yourself in some creative time that may just propel your thinking into action and inspire new creative endeavours for 2023.
Founder & Director, Cargo Crew
Immerse yourself in creativity to propel your thinking into action and inspire new creative endeavoursFELICITY RODGERS
By using colour in unconventional ways, designers are twisting expectations to create an edgy harmony that feels so ‘now’.
In a world where cosy, feel-good colour is everything, look to earthy tones like pumpkin and amber to get the home fires burning.
If you’re looking to create a soothing retreat from the overwhelming hustle of the outside world, off-whites are a great place to start. But darker warm-greys like stone and charcoal, alongside browns like tan and chocolate, achieve the same effect. Build your signature look by combining a selection of contrasting light and dark tones.
In a world saturated with colour, neutral-toned uniforms need a little help to stand out.
• Layer neutral shades for a tonal effect with depth
• Incorporate diverse fabrics and textures to create interest
• It’s all in the details. Look for neutral pieces with eye-catching details such as pin-stripes, buttons, embroidery and tailoring
TOP TIP
Bright-white accents will help your neutral tones stand out. White cleans out colours so that nonwhite elements look more vivid and colourful. Even neutrals.
After decades of black and white dominating the neutral scene, we now find ourselves seeking warmer, more reassuring hues.James Richardson Derby Stool Robert Gordon Platform Dinner Plate I Love Linen Beige Gingham Napkins Set Archie Rose Espresso Martinique Cargo Crew Theodore Bib Apron in White
Ecology Nomad Small Table Cloth Arch
Cargo Crew Riley Boilersuit Dusty Pink
Jen Sievers With Love
Pink continues to reign supreme. From millennial pink to dusty rose, pink has become a neutral, a colour to confidently build upon.
Strong, stylish and timeless — no wonder black is still as in as ever.
The global pandemic’s DIY renaissance fuelled both a foraging frenzy and an at-home growing craze. Find them used as inspiration by top designers in the world of high fashion, with fungi mycelium as a base for vegan leathers. In the health and wellness realm, they are bottled and capsuled with plentiful purported benefits.
In our homes, fungi are the new flowers and we’re decorating with an organic aesthetic of nature motifs. One day soon we could be insulating our houses with fungi-derived materials. The mighty powers of mushrooms are even being deployed in bioremediation to clean up after disasters like wildfires and oil spills.
From portobello, to porcini the desire has been sparked to investigate the fungus among us. We’re much more into Cottagecore than ever before – harnessing a simple, slow-life spirit, surrounding ourselves with the aesthetics of an organic, traditional lifestyle. Mushrooms are a symbol of growth and renewal, a much needed sentiment after emerging from the chaos of covid, and a place of departure for designers such as Stella
McCartney’s eco-conscious outlook started from her brand’s inception, committing to never using leather, feathers, fur or skins. She has now taken her mycelium interest from underground and launched her first mushroom-made handbag. Other fashion icons are digging deep and finding the fun in fungi, as seen in Bella Hadid’s magic mushroom earrings and Rodarte’s silky, shroom-print slip dress.
Escapism. We were mostly forced into perfecting this, as we stayed indoors and learnt how to make our own kombucha, pickles, and sourdough loaves. This escapism has found a much more creative setting, and we are curating our interior spaces to reflect the whimsical, mysterious theme of mushrooms. Harry Heisman, a New York-based designer has incorporated these psychedelic species into a mesmerising array of stools, table objects and printed wallcoverings. With their coral-like appeal, they make for beautiful homeware pieces. Lighting is having its fair share of the interior trend limelight with dreamy pastel mushroom lamps filling up the feeds of social media influencers, en masse.
We want more spore. Trendsetters in the health and wellness sector are chugging Chaga mushroom lattes, and swapping meaty meals for mushroom and other plant-forward alternatives. For the fourth consecutive year, mushrooms have been named a top trend by food industry trend spotters. Capping the 2022 trend forecast season, The New York Times recently named mushrooms the “Ingredient of the Year”. The full potential of fungus is being realised by chefs, both in top restaurants and humble homes, as a result of their ubiquitous umami flavour. With over 10 000 varieties available comes a vast array of texture and flavour, with the overcooked button variety being scrapped. The rise of grilled oyster mushrooms, lion’s mane, enokis and moreish morels are now taking centre stage.
Requiring unique conditions to thrive, farmers are fine-tuning their growing processes, making indoor growing a suitably sustainable option. And you don’t have to be an expert. Companies such as Cape Town’s themushroombox.shop produce six oyster mushroom kits to grow in the comfort of your own home.
Mushrooms: the largest lifeforms known to man, continue on an upward trajectory, becoming larger than life in the trends department.MUSHROOM GROW KIT STAN SMITH MYLO MIND & BODY FUEL
From signage to tableware and lighting, ceramics have hit the big time. We sat down with Bobby Gordon of pottery studio Robert Gordon for a lowdown on the ceramic movement’s MoVida moment.
The Robert Gordon studio has been designing and making pottery since 1945 and prides itself on the craftsmanship it has built up over three generations. Alongside its annual seasonal collections, the Melbourne studio has embarked on a number of restaurant and design studio collaborations, like with Bromley, Jeru London, Kip&Co and Cinder to name a few. Their latest collaboration with Melbourne’s famed MoVida has borne not one, but two new ceramic collections.
Robert Gordon’s pottery director at Bobby Gordon, explains the direction they took in designing with MoVida - a Melbourne icon that celebrates Spanish produce, food, and culture through Australian produce. “The Robert Gordon x MoVida collaboration is crafted to honour the MoVida philosophy - loving food and celebrating the joy of sharing it with those you love. This partnership has evolved from a need to put function first. How do we eat, how do we like to share food? How can we elevate the home experience and take the essence of a Melbourne institution to our very own table?”
“As Apicius, a first century Roman gourman observed, we eat first with our eyes. Food is art. No less. And a paired-back, simple plate as a platform is vital to the success of a dish. The importance that an elegant vessel plays in the role of elevating and showcasing a chef’s culinary creation cannot be downplayed. Great crockery, along with interiors, lighting, staff uniforms, and all the other many details, are what makes a restaurant.”
“This is the spirit with which we designed both our tableware for MoVida itself, and the Robert Gordon x MoVida tapas collection, available exclusively at MYER.
Both the tableware and retail collection speak to the simplicity of hearty Spanish cooking. “We are particularly fond of the olive bowl. We think everyone who loves entertaining needs one of these,” adds Bobby Gordon.
There is something graceful, subtle, and sensual about every piece.”
The Robert Gordon plates are elegant, understated and tactile, like we know our food is. It’s the combination of authenticity and quality that we love in their work.”
FRANK CAMORRA / CHEF AND OWNER AT MOVIDASANGRIA JUG TAPAS PLATES OLIVE BOWL MINI PO Robert Gordon x MoVida Robert Gordon x MoVida Robert Gordon x MoVida Robert Gordon x MoVida
Cannabis in a glass? It looks that way, with a plethora of CBD drinks making their way onto shelves and menus everywhere. CBD is non-addictive, has a solid safety profile, and won’t get you high.
All the familiar features of the classic spritz, but non-alcoholic and allAustralian. Orange and mandarin, verjuice and bitters combine to create a beautifully balanced, and above all else, delicious classic spritz.
Strange but true! Punters are switching out their beer for hard kombucha and it’s all thanks to the combined benefits of probiotics and lower alcohol content. Makers like Saint and Sinner up the buzz in their range of alcoholic kombuchas.
Spirit-free spirits? Yes indeed, and it’s a far cry from the sugar-laden substitutes of mocktails gone by. Instead today’s zero alcohol spirits and liquors are every bit as fancy and full of life as their alcoholic peers.
But let’s not forget the original 0% drink of choice, sparkling water.
A sober drink that doesn’t sacrifice flavour, fizz or fun?
The new era of 0% alcohol beers and wines are just that.
Garage Project Tiny But Mighty IPA
We are seeing a real shift towards people visiting their own backyards and heading to the regions. A lot of people bought online from producers and growers markets through lockdowns and this has encouraged their curiosity to go and visit where the producers are and get out to the regions.
There is also a real shift on how hospitality is managed, going back to the basics of what hospitality is. A long time ago we lost that appreciation that we are here to create an experience for diners, and good moments. The trend is to go back to the human part, the sensitivity and the art – the passion for being in
the hospitality market. Operators are investing now in their staff for example with mental health training, prevention, maintenance and awareness. They are doing this through reducing working hours and providing a good work life balance.
Operators are now curating training programs so that hospitality workers are more officially trained and not just learning on the job. Young hospitality professionals are asking for more training and growth, they’re asking for a bigger vision on how operators are running their business and what else is there for them.
As a result of the pandemic I’m seeing the desire for people to connect with others in person more than ever, with the understanding that screens are necessary but can never replace the benefit of human interaction. I believe this will lead to more adoption of those innovations behind the bar that automate certain aspects of service, for example automatic milk steaming equipment, leaving the steaming to the machine and the latte art and customer interaction to the barista. We have craved human interaction over the last few years and now hospitality has to deliver an even more personal and tailored consumer experience.
The best in the business take a look in their crystal ball...
“The trend is to go back to the human part, the sensitivity and the art – the passion for being in the hospitality market.”
JETS LANGLANDS
Group Marketing Manager, La Marzocco Australia
ALEJANDRO SARAVIA Executive Chef
“Venue operations are changing at a rapid rate, with a reduction in the available workforce and an ongoing need to retain current staff. Operators are not only rethinking their concepts to reduce the impact on staffing, but also thinking of new ways to attract, retain and grow their employees.
I believe we will see experienced and forwardthinking operators continue to thrive whilst operators not willing to adapt to the market will struggle to grow.”
Sustainability and making conscious choices will continue to be a big focus in 2023. From the products we source for our menus through to what we wear. Knowing the story behind what we are putting on a plate is key and making sure our choices are right for the planet and our country is important.
Since the pandemic we are more focused on using Australian owned produce and working with Australian owned businesses which in turn will support our economy. There is also an increased awareness of indigenous products and we are incorporating them more and more into our menus.
The F&D scene in Australia is both resilient and inspiring. If our recent Time Out Food &Drink Awards winners list is anything to go by, 2023 will be huge, because the scene is exploding with verve and ideas. At Time Out, we’re always spotting trends and sharing them with our readers, and the things we’ve noticed and are encouraged by include the push for sustainability and conscious consumption.
There is a new wave of elevated casual experiences. We are seeing innovation with purpose in the kitchen by way of venues looking at food waste, carbon footprint, and how they can support the regions in their work. We are seeing creative tech coming into culinary with venues offering additional layers of experience. We’re seeing immersive dining and the rise of care snacking – using food for enjoyment but also healing.
We are so excited for what is next, and here to champion it along the way.
“Menu trends have been all over the place. We’ve just gone through the craziest times certainly that I’ve lived through. The trend has been how do we survive! Now things have settled back down and our customers are coming back out to us. They are looking for new and exciting things and we can’t be complacent. There is still a big push towards plant-based dining and what else can we do with vegetables, fruits and natural plant-based ingredients.
“I think the most exciting trend in food is the growth of regionality of foreign cuisines in restaurants. Seeing more regional based dishes in restaurants is always a good sign people are learning more and wanting new things.”
“2023 will be huge, because the scene is exploding with verve and ideas.”
MICHAEL BASCETTA CEO & Co-Founder, Worksmith
SAM STAFFORD
Chef and Owner Mono XO
Sustainability and understanding where our ingredients come from is more important than ever before.”
CURTIS STONE
Michelin Starred ChefELISE BUCHOLTZ Time Out Managing Director APAC TELINA MENZIES Executive Chef, Australian Venue Co
There is a feeling of a return to classic and refined styling.
Tailored looks including suiting and button down shirts are mixed and matched with considered coordinates to provide layers of interest across teams. These elevated styles deliver a polished, cohesive look.
Our most popular pieces include our modern shirting range which can be elevated with a Blazer or layered with a vest for a simple modern aesthetic.
The Cargo Crew apron range is also the perfect way to bring additional uniform chic when coordinated with the décor or interior styling.
The hospitality industry is shifting. Going green and adopting sustainable practices are non-negotiable if food and drink venues want to survive, and thrive.
Capital Brewing Co is Australia’s first Climate Active, 100% carbon neutral brewery. So, what makes their beer sustainable? It’s a sum of parts, like a long list of watersaving initiatives and diverting spent grain, hops and yeast to Landtasia Organic farm - otherwise set for landfill. Their grain silo has eliminated more than 300 25kg plastic grain bags from production, each week.
Everything you touch at RE is recycled, and everything you taste has been diverted from impending landfill-doom. Their initiative of bringing hospitality venues together to tackle food waste, getting closer to growers and farmers, is how they use waste as an opportunity. RE keeps planetconscious clientele coming back, for all the right reasons.
Fungi Solutions creates sustainable packaging using fungi, suitable to replace traditional polluting materials such as polystyrene. Fungi is combined with organic waste that would normally be headed to landfill, and is grown to the required shape over a period of 7 days. After use, the packaging can be composted, meaning no waste to landfill.
Consumers to base their choices on a ‘waste not, want not mentality’ and Cargo Crew is committed to sustainable practices and lowering environmental impact, wherever they can. Like designing with purpose, opting for highquality, long-lasting products over fast fashion styles. Or removing single-use plastics from their packaging, implementing recycling and waste management initiatives, and only working with ethical suppliers.
Workwear was never designed to fit into a particular movement or era but rather to fulfil a purpose. As long as we continue to work, workwear remains relevant - transcending trends.
Protect yourself from the elements and add a pop of fun to your look with the Cable Beanie from AS Colour.
Crafted from quality cotton stretch, our Riley Boilersuits deliver everyday comfort and quality. With deep pockets a-plenty, there’s room for all the tools of the trade.
The new Clover Apron is fashion meets function, created with 100% cotton in a unique railway stripe and indigo over-dye.
Designed with an authentic workwear influence, our new Banjo Workshirt in both Blugraine and Charcoal, features a lightweight and worn-in 100% premium cotton with clever tailoring.
Our new Jamie Overall Apron is an overall, reimagined as an apron, using durable washed black denim for longevity and heritage hardware details for the design authenticity our customers love.
When you’re on your feet all day a comfortable, supportive sock is essential. We like these Relax Socks from AS Colour, available in 9 classic workwear colours.
Take your uniform game to the next level and make it extra special with personalisation. Choose from name, emoji or monogram!
First up, we’re completely ruled by design. Everything we create gets as much time and attention as anything you’d pay top dollar to wear. Born out of a fashion design heritage 20 years ago, Cargo Crew’s first collection disrupted the bland and predictable uniform industry with designer uniform pieces. Today, we carry over 200 styles that are worn by 25,000 crews in over 80 countries around the world! Original design will always come out on top.
What makes an unforgettable cup of coffee? It’s all in the quality of the beans. Hospitality folk know that nothing beats quality, and at Cargo Crew we live by that ethos. For us quality starts with the fabrics we choose. After two decades we’ve got an incredible feel for what will go the distance in Australia’s hardworking cafés, pubs, clubs, restaurants, bars and hotels. Not only are our fabrics, trims and accessories built to survive a day of service, they’re made to outlive anything that the washing machine throws at them. The result: Australia’s most dependable uniform collection that keeps on keeping on.
Our secret ingredient? Because Cargo Crew is designed so well our pieces work brilliantly together with endless ways to pull off winning uniform looks. Our collection is timeless and with real staying power, giving business owners loads of versatility to outfit every valuable member of their teams, and re-invent their look when the time comes.
Refined. Understated. Style. Ted is the perfect knee-length bistro apron, crafted from Fight The Fade™️ fabric for 100+ washes without fading.
Creative innovators are choosing the Boiler Suits for their everyday uniform. A perfect balance of comfort, style and practicality, designed to wear on repeat.
APRON
Inspired by vintage overalls, Boston is the go-to apron to kick off a work shift or make magic in the studio.
Premium details make this sweater work ready as a timeless modern staple.
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If you are in Melbourne we would love to welcome you at our destination showroom. Here our team of stylists can curate the perfect uniform for your brand or business.
4 Scholar Drive
Bundoora VIC 3083
Australia
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Chef Matt Stone Ciao, Mate!
