For the 14th consecutive year, customers of Cintas
Corporation (NASDAQ: CTAS) won Image of the Year (IOY) awards during
a banquet held by the North
American Association of Uniform Manufacturers and Distributors (NAUMD)
in Orlando, Fla. Selected from an extensive list of prominent nominees,
Marriott Hotels & Resorts, Grand Hyatt San Francisco and The Breakers
Palm Beach were presented with awards based on the design, versatility
and quality of their apparel programs.
“Each year, Cintas impresses us with the amount of detail and creativity
they put into the uniform process and how it translates into meeting or
exceeding its clients’ goals,” said Richard J. Lerman, president and CEO
of the NAUMD. “We are pleased to celebrate their uniform expertise and
programs with the awards, which recognize the best in corporate
workwear.”
Winner in the multi-unit hotel category, Marriott Hotels & Resorts, the
signature brand of Marriott International, partnered with Cintas to
create the RED Collection—a new line of contemporary suiting that speaks
to the brand’s heritage and passion with bold red hues. As Marriott
Hotels & Resorts’ signature color, red plays an intricate part of the
uniform program, standing out against backdrops of charcoal grey or
black while making bold, modern statements in the form of accessories.
“Symbolizing passion and energy, red shows up throughout the Marriott
collection as the thread that ties all the pieces together,” said Jeff
Marino, Creative Director, Cintas. “The stylish, contemporary design
provides Marriott’s team with impeccable taste and style, and emphasizes
their role around the world as true hosts.”
Winner of the single-unit award went to Grand Hyatt San Francisco, where
Cintas fashion designer Robert Fajfrowski created uniforms that reflect
the city’s trendy atmosphere and strong emphasis on architecture and
design. Using innovative trims, textures, colors and cuts, Cintas
created an edgy, yet sophisticated look for staff in customer-facing
positions, including front desk, lounge and banquet personnel.
“The key for this client was to depict a progressive hotel experience
through funky, yet professional uniform designs,” said Fajfrowski. “A
huge inspiration for the program was the hotel’s brand identity and San
Francisco’s reputation as a trendsetter.”
In the fine-dining category, Cintas partnered with The Breakers Palm
Beach to create a uniform program resembling the elegance of the 1950s
and 60s. Partially inspired by “Mad Men”—an AMC hit television
series—the program sets the stage for drama and impact with multi-pleat
dresses, textural fabric juxtapositions, and Dior-esque bow belts.
Predominantly black with white and red accents, the uniforms capture the
elegant, refined look of the previous decades while incorporating
elements from the 21st century.
“The goal for this program was to create a memorable apparel program
more in line with costumes than uniforms,” said Fajfrowski. “The
wardrobe, along with staff hair and makeup, sets the stage for
performance and captures the spirit of the 50s and 60s cocktail
environment—perfect for guests seeking a true getaway.”
“We are very proud of the work that went into these apparel collections
and honored that they are being recognized by the NAUMD awards,” said
Todd McKeown, Vice President Global Hospitality and Gaming, Cintas. “The
awards are a testament to our team’s ability to create innovative,
stylish apparel and deliver workwear programs that meet our clients’
objectives. It is inspiring to see our customers’ ideas develop into
image programs that reflect their unique brands.”
For more information about NAUMD or a complete list of IOY award
winners, visit www.naumd.com
or call 516-393-5838. For more information about Cintas, please visit www.cintas.com
or www.cintas.com/uniform-work-apparel
or call 1-800-UNIFORM.
About Cintas Corporation:
Headquartered in Cincinnati, Cintas Corporation provides highly
specialized services to businesses of all types primarily throughout
North America. Cintas designs, manufactures and implements corporate
identity uniform programs, and provides entrance mats, restroom cleaning
and supplies, tile and carpet cleaning, promotional products, first aid,
safety, fire protection products and services and document management
services for more than 1 million businesses. Cintas is a publicly held
company traded over the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol
CTAS and is a component of the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index.