Scarlet Lady, the first vessel from Richard Branson’s cruise line Virgin Voyages, is finally scheduled to return to its originally planned homeport Miami this October. Cintas Corporation dedicated to creating a modern wardrobe for employees and it’s division Design Collective™ created a modern apparel collection together with the British fashion designer Gareth Pugh for the Virgin Voyages Crew. Virgin Voyages led a collaboration with Design Collective by Cintas to bring Gareth’s fashion-forward designs to life with apparel pieces that mirror a vivacity synonymous with the Virgin brand.
“We used our extensive experience designing and manufacturing for the cruise industry – and worked closely with Gareth Pugh and the Virgin Voyages team – to develop this modern and luxurious collection that’s reflective of this unique brand experience,” said Todd McKeown, President and COO of Design Collective by Cintas. “Employee engagement has never been more important and it’s critical for every crew member to feel confident and comfortable in their apparel so they can be a key part of the total passenger experience. We’re honored to work hand-in-hand with Gareth and Virgin Voyages on this collection, and we’re excited to be involved in this new launch as the cruise industry begins its comeback.”
The collection includes sustainable fabrics and garments designed for a range of job functions, climates and body types. The program breaks with cruise stereotypes by removing epaulettes (shoulder stripes designating rank for officers), ties and waistcoats. Instead it features a distinct combination of structure and fluidity and includes a wide range of looks from slick, razor-sharp tailoring to relaxed pillow-case tunic shirts referencing the early days of British punk and more.
“We really wanted to shake up the industry and redefine cruise fashion. Working with fashion Designer Gareth Pugh helped us create a fantastic wardrobe collection for our Crew that reflects a modern sailing holiday experience so many sailors are craving right now,” said Dee Cooper, SVP Design and Customer Experience at Virgin Voyages. “We decided to partner with Design Collective by Cintas to make sure the garments would deliver on all levels. Their knowledge of fabrics and application made the designs functional for the cruise environment, and they helped create an Epic Sea Change for All.”
