Looking Maravilhosa in Porto

Article written by PCIAW
Link Below
https://pciaw.org

Gresham Blake and Stuncroft have returned as the suit sponsors for the 2023 PCIAW® Awards, providing each member of the PCIAW® team with a bespoke suit inspired by Portuguese Azzurro art

Azzurro typically takes the medium of ceramic tiles, with iconic white and azure-blue designs which depict landscapes, famous scenes from history, or repeating patterns. The uniform design chosen by the PCIAW® team features one of these beautiful repeating patterns as a highlight feature on the waistcoat, which compliments a matching deep blue suit jacket and trousers.

Gresham Blake is known for their meticulous attention to detail, eccentric design and prized craftsmanship when constructing uniforms. Employing a team of expert designers, tailors and seamstresses, Gresham Blake delivers excellent quality for their clients. From initial
design consultations with clients to the finished product, Gresham Blake use their premier skillset to support and guide the client to the design which suits their needs.

PCIAW®’s 2023 suit design will be produced by Stuncroft, utilising a custom-made premium fabric produced exclusively for this event. Stuncroft work with some of the finest mills and weavers in the world to produce their fabrics, with connections to industry elites in France, Italy, and the UK. The partnership between Gresham Blake and Stuncroft on this design will showcase the talent of these premium uniform manufacturers, and ensure the PCIAW® team are looking their best on the night.

Gresham Blake’s design team commented:

“We want to create clothes that make people feel good. The right design can boost confidence creating a uniform that can be worn with pride. Drawing from our extensive background in bespoke tailoring we know the importance of interpreting a brief thoroughly and delivering a uniform that surpasses the client’s expectations.”

“The right uniform design goes beyond just clothing – it plays a pivotal role in shaping the perception of a business
or event. It can influence branding, professionalism, customer experience, and employee morale, all of which contribute to the overall character and success of a space.”

“As the event is being held in Porto this year, our goal was to create a collection that paid tribute to the city’s vibrant atmosphere and deep cultural heritage. Celebrating Portugal’s luxury textile manufacturing industry, we made sure to incorporate a touch of opulence into our designs. Inspired by Porto’s iconic blue and white tiles, our collection incorporates these elements into the jacquard collar and waistcoat details, as well as the printed jacket linings. For the suits, we used navy Envee Collection fabric, ensuring not just style but also comfort and durability for long- lasting enjoyment by the PCIAW® team.”

The team at Stuncroft remarks:

“When translating a design made by a business with genuine design pedigree, it is always important to be faithful to all aspects of the design. To achieve this, we work only with the highest quality factories and technical professionals to translate the design accurately in to the reality of the garments we produce.”

“We invariably produce the small amount of clothing within the expert sample section of our fabric and garment manufacturing sites which follows the same rigorous standards set of the bulk lines but allows us to essentially produce a small amount of bespoke clothing exactly to the clients needs in line with the schedule asked of us.”

“It is always a pleasure to be involved with the team at Gresham Blake who have added their own special magic to the clothing solution we have become accustomed to. making annually for the PCIAW® team.”

Gresham Blake is disrupting the market – showing brands that are prepared to be challenged, that there are alternative suppliers out there. Gresham’s team has designed for the likes of The Savoy and Hard Rock Hotels and said: “We’ll wow you with a design and actually tell you what you should wear”. It can bring out the best in a company’s uniform concept and I think that too few designers are willing to be brave in that approach these days.

Links

https://www.greshamblake.com
https://pciaw.org