The Winners of the PCIAW® Awards 2022 are announced.
On 19th October 2022, the PCIAW® Awards ceremony celebrated the innovations of businesses and individuals across the uniform, workwear and PPE markets.
The PCIAW® Awards event brought together one of the largest networks of international executives from within the professional clothing industry to encourage collaboration.
Sponsored by: ANIVEC and CENIT, Meryl Fabrics®, International Brands Group, Hohenstein, Bodi.Me, Clubclass, PULSAR®, and Milliken & Company – the PCIAW® Awards evening became a global success story.
“The PCIAW® is proud to advocate for the progressive innovation in professional clothing. The awards ceremony is an international platform to recognise the advancement of new ideas and solutions – and an excellent opportunity for our Trusted Members to network.”
John Miln, Chairman, PCIAW®
PCIAW® Awards 2022
- PCA VISION Student Design Award
- Best PPE Innovation in Clothing Award
- Best PPE Innovation in Footwear Award
- Best PPE Innovation in Accessories Award
- Best Managed Major Contract Award
- Best Managed Boutique Contract Award
- Best Design for Corporate Clothing Award
- Best Design for Workwear / PPE Award
- Best Fabric & Fibre Innovation Award
- Best Application of Innovative Technology Award
- Nearshore Manufacturing Award
- Sustainability Award
- Woman of the Year Award
- Lifetime Achievement Award
“This year’s PCIAW® Awards was the most competitive and international than ever before and I am grateful to see this prestigious event continue to grow. The independent judging panel did a brilliant job in picking the winners amongst many other exceptional entries. Congratulations to you all.”
Yvette Ashby, Founder & CEO, PCIAW®
PCA VISION 2022 – The Student Design Awards
The PCIAW® Awards evening began with the PCA VISION student design competition, which challenged contestants to think creatively to design practical professional clothing that is also commercially viable. This year, students were tasked to embed sustainability into their designs by selecting fibres, production methods and end-of-life planning.
Presented by Harold Tillman CBE, who is the Enterprise and Business Advisor for the London College of Fashion; the Former Chair of the British Fashion Council and the Chairman of PCA VISION – and César Araújo, the President of ANIVEC; CEO of Calvelex and Board Director of PCIAW®, the PCA VISION in 2022 saw finalists showcasing its fashion-inspired protective clothing and stylised uniforms on the PCA VISION catwalk.
The Winners of the PCA VISION 2022
The Winner: PCA VISION 2022
Zoe Dixon Manchester Fashion Institute, Manchester Metropolitan University.
This water-resistant garment set by Zoe Dixon, for water-quality scientists is made from eco-friendly Repreve and Rivercyclone fabrics. It consists of a fully lined vest, a reversible bucket hat, trousers and a quilted gilet.
Runner-up: PCA VISION 2022
Georgia Randles, Manchester Fashion Institute, Manchester Metropolitan University.
This durable weatherproof plumber’s workwear by Georgia Randles is made of contrasting fabric panels with reflective hi-vis details. CORDURA® fabrics have been used to create the trousers and hooded fleece-lined jacket.
Third Place: PCA VISION 2022
Daniel Weispfenning, North Carolina State University.
This commercial fishing workwear kit by Daniel Weispfenning consists of waterproof outerwear, including gloves, a smock and over trousers with padded adjustable shoulder straps; all are made of ripstop mono material with reflective tape and taped seams. The stretch floatation base layer shirt has removable foam inserts.
Thank you to ANIVEC and CENIT, and Meryl Fabrics for sponsoring PCA VISION 2022 and to Klopman International, for donating its fabrics to the competing students this year.
The Winners of the PCIAW® Awards 2022 – PPE Innovations of the Year
As the PCIAW® commenced, Karen Sparrow, Consultant, Red Sparrow Consultancy co-presented the first category, PPE Innovations of the Year, alongside John Miln, Chairman of PCIAW®.
Best PPE Innovation in Clothing Award
The Winner: APT Fabrics
The pioneering Florian system by APT Fabrics is major breakthrough for Fire and Rescue services. The multi-functional concept design is an all-in-one integration of the key firefighter suits, providing thermal protection at a lighter weight.
Highly Commended: Meryl Fabrics
Meryl Fabrics won highly commended for the fully circular, recyclable Nurses’ Tunic, made from a pioneering textile that won’t shed microfibres and is manufactured without using water or chemicals.
Best PPE Innovation in Footwear Award
The Winner: GORE-TEX Professional
The EXTRAGUARD upper technology from GORE-TEX Professional is a hard-wearing low-carbon alternative to standard protective footwear uppers, designed for use in safety footwear. In combination with a GORE-TEX lining, the safety footwear is also waterproof, yet breathable, lightweight and comfortable to wear.
Highly Commended: International Brands Group
International Brand Group won for its Totectors Denton safety trainer. The Denton safety trainer has an aluminium toecap, an SRC slip-resistant and heat-resistant outsole, plus a removable contoured footbed.
Best PPE Innovation in Accessories Award
The Winner: Keela Outdoors
Keela has created a maternity zip-in panel. This means that staff who are also mums-to-be can continue wearing their worksite jackets, which eliminates the need to purchase a specific “maternity jacket” or put up with oversized garments.
Highly Commended: JSP
JSP Sonis® Comms has created a powerful worksite communication tool, the Sonis® Comms Mounted headset. Using wireless technology, it provides group intercom for up to 15 wearers while providing the ultimate in hearing protection.
The Winners of the PCIAW® Awards 2022 – Suppliers, Distibutors & Manufacturers Awards (Part 1)
Suppliers, Distributors & Manufacturers Awards
Andrew Newman, the Director of Workforce & Volunteering for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games presented alongside the PCIAW® Chairman, John Miln, for the first half of the Suppliers, Distributors & Manufacturers Awards.
Best Managed Major Contract Award
The Winner: Mi-Hub t/a Dimensions
In the UK’s largest-ever roll-out of a new uniform, Dimensions (part of Mi Hub) supplied Tesco PLC with 2.2 million garments – all in less than 65 days. Thanks to precision planning, the garments were delivered to over 2,950 locations, despite challenges including the pandemic, container availability and UK driver shortages.
Highly Commended: Hunter Apparel Solutions
Hunter Apparel Solutions were proud to deliver the new uniform collection for Avanti West Coast Trains. This collection was chosen to represent the brand’s modern elegance and was rolled out in record time to Avanti’s 3,500 staff.
Best Managed Boutique Contract Award
The Winner: Progressive Safety Footwear
Progressive Safety Footwear is the proud holder of the JCB workwear licence for the UK, Ireland and across the Atlantic. It was their solid reputation that meant that P Quinn Construction, specialists in the construction of golf courses, chose Progressive Safety to deliver their top-quality workwear. Products include boots, socks, jumpers and T-shirts.
Highly Commended: Incorporatewear
Thanks to Incorporatewear Ltd, East Midlands Railway staff have a smart new uniform, following the award of the franchise to Abellio. The 2,300 staff members appreciate the uniform’s practical, layered design, perfect for working indoors and out in all weather.
Best Design for Corporate Clothing Award
The Winner: Gresham Blake
Gresham Blake put their trademark bold prints and colour to use when designing uniforms for Swingers, the international indoor crazy golf venue. The fun golf-themed workwear includes bright tartan trousers and skorts with all-over printed polos and shirts, socks and pocket squares.
Highly Commended: East Midlands Rail
East Midlands Rail is proud to have a staff uniform that is a cut above the rest, not just in terms of style and quality, but functionality and comfort. This bespoke wardrobe boasts a layered design perfect for any weather. Features include radio loops, pocket details and key loops to suit every one of East Midlands’ 2,300 uniform wearers.
Best Design for Workwear / PPE Award
The Winner: PUSLAR®
PULSAR® has created a durable polo shirt made from sustainable materials. Their Life polo shirt achieves that vision: It uses post-consumer textile waste and BCI cotton and is also certified to hi-vis standard EN ISO:20471. Thanks to DuPont’s Silvadur anti-bacterial treatment, the garment stays fresher for longer.
Highly Commended: Beeswift
Beeswift has launched its Envirowear collection of hi-vis clothing that is designed to be recycled. Manufactured using GRS-certified recycled polyester for the fabric and components, Envirowear hi-vis garments can be returned for recycling at the product’s end-of-life.
The Winners of the PCIAW® Awards 2022 – Suppliers, Distibutors & Manufacturers Awards (Part 2)
Imed Hfaiedh, Director for CEPEX and Zied Braham, Director for FIPA took to the stage to co-present the second half of the Suppliers, Distributors & Manufacturers Awards category, alongside John Miln, Chairman, PCIAW®.
Best Fabrics & Fibre Innovation Award
The Winner: APT Fabrics
APT Fabrics have achieved a breakthrough in firefighting PPE: The Florian moisture barrier. The moisture barrier for use in structural fire suits offers better drape and breathability. It also offers better protection against heat stress than any moisture barrier on the market, while meeting all standard safety requirements.
Highly Commended: Meryl Fabrics®
Meryl’s Makarska fabric uses science to make recyclable textiles with no microplastic pollution. The fabric is treated with anti-microbial technology that remains active for the product’s life. Meryl’s Makarska fabrics last up to 5 times longer than similar fabrics and retain its colour throughout its life.
Best Application of Innovative Technology Award
The Winner: Bodi.Me
Thanks to Size-Me software from Bodi.Me, wearers can get fast, accurate sizing to find their best clothing fit. This technology can be used by businesses to fit thousands of wearers, drastically reducing waste, returns and rollout times.
Highly Commended: Bodidata
Kora is Bodidata’s revolutionary patented handheld scanner that can capture an individual’s body measurements beneath their clothing, while they are wearing everyday street clothes. Using both optical and radar sensors, the Kora scanner creates a digital cloud of the body underneath the clothing and captures every measurement and curve of a fully clothed person’s body.
Nearshore Manufacturing Award
The Winner: Keela Outdoors
Outdoor clothing brand Keela manufactures a big range of products at their state-of-the-art facilities in Fife, Scotland. Products include fire-resistant coveralls used by UK police forces, as well as waterproof trousers and tactical smocks.
Highly Commended: Milliken & Company
Milliken & Company, a global manufacturer in the textiles, healthcare and chemical industries, have recently acquired a yarn-spinning plant in North Carolina. The important new factory will become a production hub serving several Milliken sites throughout the southeastern US.
The Winners of the PCIAW® Awards 2022 – Industry Recognition Awards (Part 1)
Sarah Mulindwa, TV personality and qualified nurse proudly presented the first half of the Industry Recognition Awards, including the Sustainability Award and Woman of the Year.
Sustainability Award
The Winner: Meryl Fabrics
Meryl uses advanced hydrogen technology to deliver high-performance fabrics that won’t release microplastics. Even better, their 100% recyclable fabrics are manufactured with no water or use of chemicals. The fabric is up to 5 times more durable than comparable fabrics, and the material retains its colour throughout its life.
Highly Commended: Lameirinho
Lameirinho, the maker of home textile products, are proud of its sustainable manufacturing facilities in Portugal. Lameirinho’s cutting-edge green technologies include a water monitoring and management system, wastewater recovery, heat-recovery systems and on-site generation of renewable energy.
Woman of the Year Award
The Winner: Sam Staincliffe, Uplift360
Sam is the Co-Founder of Uplift360, the first and only circular economic start-up in the defence industry. Sam has been integral in the efforts to forge a new path for circularity within the defence sector and is passionate about making a difference.
The Winners of the PCIAW® Awards 2022 – Industry Recognition Awards (Part 2)
To complete the PCIAW® Awards ceremony, Nigel Lugg, the Chairman of UKFT joined John Miln, Chairman of PCIAW® to present the Lifetime Achievement Awards.
Lifetime Achievement
The Winner: Ken Elavia
Ken is the Managing Director of Orbit International. In a career spanning more than 4 decades, Ken has built a reputation based on his passionate dedication to the PPE and workwear industry. A much-loved colleague, Ken is a friend and inspiration to many, as well as a devoted father, grandfather and husband.
Lifetime Achievement
The Winner: Carl Rooney
Carl is now the retired former director of Wearwell. He is admired for his encyclopaedic product knowledge. His dedication to the theme of wearer safety at Wearwell has shaped the PPE and workwear industry, while his impartial advice and personable approach have made him many lifelong friends across the industry.
Thank you from PCIAW®
The PCIAW® would like to thank everybody who attended the PCIAW® Awards and everyone who entered the competition. We hope you all had a fantastic evening and we hope to see you there again next year.
