Issue 2 Newsletter Dec 12

Kwintet News K w in t e t

U K

L t d

W e l c o m e t o i s s u e 2 o f t h e K w i n t e t N e w s l e t t e r. .

Welcome to the second issue of the Kwintet Newsletter, and firstly we would like to thank those of you who provided valuable feedback on both the content and the layout of the last issue. Based on that feedback, we have amended the layout slightly and cut this issue down to two pages to make it more digestible.

In this issue, we have an update on 2013, workwear and corporate clothing show. Our Head Designer, Helen Harker showcases our brand new Financial Service concept range and we have some information on our recent charity activities.

Of course, we would love to hear from you if you have a story that you would like us to cover, to allow you to share your uniform successes and challenges alike. If there is a particular industry issue that you would like us to address, then do let us know.

If you would like to talk to Kwintet about your corporate clothing needs, please contact jenny.james@kwintet.com

Wilcox Partnership Kwintet are delighted to be forging ahead with a new partnership with Wilcox textile reclaimers & processors. Wilcox currently process in excess of 500,000 kilos of textiles each week. These are sorted, processed and packaged to be re-used either in the UK or overseas.

For Kwintet customers, Wilcox can provide a re-use solutions, whereby non sensitive garments such as plain shirting or suiting can be sent to them and processed for re-use. These garments will, on average have an increased lifespan of around 8 years and will be utilised by communities in need of good quality used clothing.

Wilcox can also accommodate end of range garments which have not been used and this provides an environmentally friendly alternative to land fill.

Any garments which are security sensitive, or which our clients are not happy with being re-used can be securely shredded by Wilcox and used for industrial rags or for sound proofing within the automotive industry. Wilcox are happy to provide certificates for secure destruction.

Kwintet at the new Workwear & Clothing Show Venue Kwintet are looking forward to the 2013 Workwear and Corporate Clothing Show which takes place 16th & 17th April. Not only is the event moving to the renowned Silverstone conference venue, but Kwintet will be the platinum sponsor of the event.

Kwintet are proud sponsors of the Buyers’ Lounge. An exclusive area which will be used by the industry’s end users to conduct their business meetings or just simply relax and refuel with complimentary food and drink.

Our partnership with Wilcox will sit perfectly alongside the existing work Kwintet currently do with UK charities Suited and Booted and Dressed for Success, both of which regularly benefit from donations of end of line catalogue garments.

New Business Wins Lavender Hotels Kwintet will be rolling out a new range of uniform to recently won Lavender Hotels.

Two Hotels will receive their new uniform before the Christmas rush and the remaining four hotels in the new year.

Their front of house uniform comprises of a catalogue range of suiting, blouses & shirts with bespoke scarves and ties to compliment their brand image, and stock supported tunics, dresses & trousers for the housekeeping staff

Charity Update Tough Mudder Challenge This November, fourteen of Kwintet's fittest employees took part in an incredibly challenging physical event known as 'Tough Mudder'.

Tough Mudder events are hardcore 12 mile long obstacle courses designed by the Special Forces to test your all around strength, stamina, mental grit and camaraderie. With the most innovative courses and half a million inspiring participants, Tough Mudder is the premier adventure challenge series in the world.

The Kwintet team of 14, which consisted of marathon runners and triathletes (as well as a few optimistic others) came through it scratched, scraped and bruised, but in one piece! The money raised was in aid of Sergeant Rick Clements Charity - "A Soldiers Journey".

Rick is the brother of a long serving member of Kwintet staff. Rick was injured whilst serving in Afghanistan after stepping on an IED. After much recovery time and rehabilitation, Rick is now hoping to raise £100,000 within a 12 month period to give back to some of the charities that have supported him throughout his recovery.

If you would like to know more about Rick’s charity please log on to:www.a.soldiers-journey.co.uk Issue 2. December 2012

Kwintet News “The Bank” The Kwintet UK Design Team are constantly reviewing different sectors and generating fresh new ideas to showcase their talents to our existing and potential customers. From time to time the team produce a ‘concept’ range to allow them to display creative flair within a particular sector. Their most recent concept range was produced with the financial services sector in mind, and is now on display in our design showroom.

Helen Harker, Head of Design at Kwintet talks us through the project.

“The beauty about producing a concept range is that you can really get creative and think outside the box. In terms of the financial services sector, we wanted to demonstrate a range which breaks away from traditional norms for banking and makes use of current fashion colours.

One of our main considerations was to develop a range which can be dressed up for a more formal look, yet had the versatility to adapt to a more casual, smart look through mixing and matching garments.”

Having worked in the corporate clothing industry for over 20 years, Helen has seen many key trends within this area. “Banking is renowned for being in navy blue suits with shades of blue or shades of red being used in the shirts and blouses.

Over the years it has switched from a very formal look to one which displays a more conventional high street image”.

“Within this range, we purposely picked colours not normally associated with banking to create a fresh and innovative look which was very much influenced by the season's trend for "berry" colours.”

Helen continues, “Berry tones come in array of shades from pomegranate and redcurrant through to vivid purples, raspberry and blackberry. Good enough to eat berry shades are luscious and juicy. Flattering for all shapes and sizes - versatile berry tones also warm up the palest of skin tones yet suit dark and olive skins as well. Tipped as the new black (berry looks amazing with black) berry is the must have colour for this season!”

Helen explains that the range was significantly influenced by Catwalk and High street fashion in that it has up to the minute styling with simple clean lines adapted for the working environment.

“The suiting we selected was grey herringbone twill in a soft mixture; added features such as topstitching in a contrast raspberry on the ladies tailoring make the pieces highly individual. The styling is very on trend comprising a classic shift dress, and a statement pencil skirt with fitted jacket. Contrast belts are used throughout as highlights of extra colour.”

“For the ladies, we have included a print - prints have made a huge comeback in recent months - the selected print is a large abstract in raspberry and burgundy and features in an easy to wear dress, slash neck blouse and matching scarf.”

The range produced by Helen’s team includes key pieces for both ladies and men. The men have a modern slim fit suit with narrow lapel, two buttons, two vent jacket and flat front trousers.

There are a combination of two shirts – a choice of burgundy mini check or a pale pink classic shirt with contrast white collar and cuff.

The addition of a narrow black berry tie connects the men to the ladies range, giving just the right amount of uniform feel.

As part of the overall concept, an essential component was a comprehensive knitwear offer.

Employees in a retail banking environment clearly need to look smart, but knitwear can provide a slightly less formal look, or can be used as layering to help with comfort in different temperatures.

“We incorporated a fashionable ladies long length, handkerchief hem cardigan in burgundy as well as a crushed raspberry short option to create two looks which are comfortable to work in and not as restrictive as a jacket. They look fabulous when worn over the print, or the dress.

Men also have a choice of knitwear - a plain burgundy sweater, fine knit cardigan or a sleeveless jumper.

Carefully selected accessories including ties, shoes and handbags are also included in this concept range to demonstrate a complete top to toe solution for "The Bank".

If you would like to talk to us about developing a concept range for your business, please get in touch. Equally, you are more than welcome to visit our Lancashire HQ to view this and other ranges developed by Helen and her team.

Kwintet wish all our existing and potential customers A very happy Christmas And a prosperous 2013