Kitchens are hot and the hours are long! Brief: Design a contemporary unisex-fit chefs jacket or shirt that is breathable, durable and sustainably sourced. Result: A garment built to last. Using 50% TENCEL™ branded fibres for durability, moitsure wicking and environmental benefactors this chefs shirt has reinforced coverstitched seams and kniited Staycool panels for added airflow and stretch. Functional features include a pen pocket, phone pocket and apron halter tab.
WORK WEAR DESIGN & FA B R I C I N N O VAT I O N
Operators are moving away from casual formats and adopting premium concepts. Brief: Design a durable and functional apron for a discerning clientele. Result: A 100% cotton, heavy-weight canvas apron with faux leather tabs and brass hardware. Detachable halter and ties for a slip on/off fit and easy to clean body. Featuring a side pocket, detachable dish cloth loop and adjustable halter. Strong artisanal uniforms feel simple, tactile and quietly imperfect. Apron worn in The Art Cafe, Claridges Hotel, London.
2x D loops to make adjustable halter
5cm
D
10cm
6cm
Faced corners for reinforcement
A
C Removable t-towel strap with poppers Length 20cm x2.5cm
Pocket Height 20cm Pocket Width 18cm
B
Create artwork and design layout for exhibition and new brand catalog Result: I currated a photoshoot inspired by White Heat by Marco Pierre White. I developed large black and whiteprints for the back drop and designed custom made red rails to contrast with the imagery and clothing. The catalog took on a new form with editorial content creating a more immersive product.
T-shirts are becomming more common in the kitchen. Brief: Design a kitchen-specific t-shirt Market Research: Chefs wearing aprons with t-shirts have discomfort at the back neck. The halter is usually fixed over the collar of a chefs jacket. Without the jacket the halter rubs directly onto the skin of the neck.
Result: I designed a t-shirt with a soft folded panel that layers between the neck and halter strap. The soft knitted panel has a halter tab to secure the halter strap in place. Using 50% Cotton 50% Polyester for durability, the jersey has a silver plus finish to further extend the garments lifespan.
Folded panel sewn to neckline underneath round neck collar
E
Double pen pocket
D
H
Featuring an added airflow panel and pen pocket.
A
F Le Chef woven label
C
B
G
Apron tab with press stud 18cm
6cm
Coverstitch Staycool panel
2.5cm Apron halter tab 1cm wide
Pen pocket
2.5cm
Pen pocket
Utility style shirts Brief: Design a cook shirt for the artisan range and in parallel design a chef style shirt for FOH. Result: An informal but highly considered aesthetic. Popular with produce-led hospitality venues and brands built around craft, provenance and local production.
Metal Eyelet
Top bib, halter and ties are plain NAVY polycotton
11cm
Body of apron: 1) woven butchers stripe ŽÝˇ∏
Self tie width 2.5cm
A
C
B
A best selling product is the woven buchers stripe apron. Brief: Design a new style to add to the existing range of butchers stripe aprons. Market research: It is very common for venues and brands to embroider aprons with a motif or logo and it is costly to do so. The result is sometimes unfortunate because the stitching gets lost in the stripe. Result: An apron with a plain top bib panel where embroidery can be executed. Adding an eyelet and knot for an adjustable halter creates an artisnal option for the existing range.