We are thrilled to be highlighting the PCA gala that Cobmex attended just last month! This year marked a very special 10-year anniversary for the Professional Clothing Awards where guests from all over the world; India, U.S, Australia, Europe, Portugal, Canada and many others flew in to attend this annual event. Sitting lavishly at the top of Park Lane, within close proximity to London’s most sought-after addresses including Mayfair, Oxford and Regent Streets, and Hyde Park is The Montcalm London Marble Arch. We couldn’t think of a more beautiful setting to commemorate a special award show that honors devoted and talented recipients in our industry. We loved seeing familiar faces and connecting with new ones in a room filled with spiffy black-tie attire, top notch food, champagne and an indescribable energy.
Over 300 guests were in attendance that evening while we were entertained and hosted by the wonderful, TV star Anton Du Beke and John Miln, the chairman of the PCIAW®. Anton Du Beke sound familiar? You may know him as a ballroom dancer, singer and television presenter, best known on the BBC One celebrity dancing show, ‘Strictly Come Dancing’.
It was a true honor to attend an event that is so important to our industry and sheds light to imperative topics and current affairs. ‘Beginning with the award for Best PPE innovation and ending with an award specially inaugurated to honour the ten years of the PCA’s. This particular trophy was for Design of the Decade and went to Incorporate wear for their Virgin Atlantic uniform, surely one of the most iconic and memorable uniforms in recent memory.’ One of the biggest highlights of the evening was the launching of the PCIAW – Professional Clothing Industry Association Worldwide. Hosted by Yvette Ashby, Managing Director of Professional Clothing director-e, Show and Awards, and John Miln, Chair of PCIAW, this moment was a milestone in the history of our industry. We had the pleasure to witness the beginning of the only association dedicated exclusively to the sourcing and provision of corporatewear, workwear and PPE. As Yvette herself said in this epic evening, “one voice can start a conversation, but many voices can start a revolution”. The PCIAW will be the very first international Association for the Industry and will have a very strong strategic partnership with the North American Association of Uniform Manufacturer and Distributors. NAUMD’s Steve Zalkin, President, shared insights into trends affecting the current North American uniform landscape. Steve focused his remarks on the importance of creating programs that reinforce a company’s brand, image and culture and used photographs from the Image of the Year Award® and Best Dressed Public Safety Award® programs to illustrate his point.
While the PCA’s celebrated their tenth birthday there was another birthday that we were all privileged to celebrate. The 150th birthday of Sugdens. Sudgens is the leading supplier of work shirts and uniforms to UK Police Forces and Emergency Service.
On behalf of Phil Newman, President and CEO of Cobmex Apparel Ltd and the team at Cobmex, we are so pleased to have participated as a company and represented the North American contingent with Steve, the President of the NAUMD.
