Multiple suited to staff in beige

How are you dressed? Vision Express has just won an award for its new uniform that is due to be rolled out to staff at its 200 UK stores.

The company won the 'Best Careerwear Design Soft Tailored' category at the Company Clothing Industry Awards 2006 in Manchester.

Designer Simon Jersey was recruited to make staff uniforms fresher and more modern in conjunction with the 1999 'clinical yet stylish' store redesign.

Jersey and his design team worked with Vision Express management and store teams to create designs and fabrics that would 'excite' staff while being 'fully functional and comfortable, allowing ease of movement'.

A variety of garments were produced with a brown colour theme including beige shirts and blouses with a bold beige and brown stripe and contemporary brown pin-stripe.

Other items included a long or short tunic in beige with a contrasting piping detail, a choice of skirt of trouser and waistcoat designed to complement each other while enabling staff to mix and match their wardrobe.

The aim was to give staff choice and to flatter a variety of different shapes and sizes while retaining a strong brand image, said the company.

Head of design at Simon Jersey, Helen Harker, commented: 'Vision Express sees its uniform as a visible demonstration of its strong brand image. It has a reputation for quality and service and I really feel that the uniform range reflects this.'