Design Collective Wins Three 2025 NAUMD Image of the Year Awards
CHICAGO, Illinois – Design Collective® by Cintas was awarded three Image of the Year Awards from the North American Association of Uniform Manufacturers & Distributors (NAUMD), recognizing standout apparel programs across a broad range of industries and segments in 2024. The winning submissions span three categories, showcasing custom apparel designed for world-class clients and brands in the luxury hospitality space, including The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, Fairmont Le Château Frontenac and Fairmont Breakers Long Beach.
“We are proud to receive three NAUMD Image of the Year Awards this year,” says Caroline Bartek, Director of Design at Design Collective. “This is an absolute honor, as it highlights the exceptional talent and dedication of our world-class design team.”
The annual awards celebrate excellence in workplace apparel design. Submissions are judged on originality, brand alignment, job functionality and innovative use of materials.
“Our design team immerses themselves in the essence of each client’s brand — the uniqueness of the property and the experiences they aim to create for their guests,” Bartek adds. “By deeply understanding the holistic client vision, our incredibly talented creatives and designers deliver wardrobe designs that are both relevant and intentional.”
Designers Suzanne Fairbairn and Robert Fajfrowski are behind this year’s winning collections.
“Suzanne and Robert play a key role in our creative process and collaborations with hospitality and luxury clientele,” says Bartek. “The connections we foster with their clients and creative teams are unparalleled, and they are central to our consultative and highly creative design process.”
Showcase: Winning with style
Courtesy imagery and lookbook samples are available upon request.
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
Category: Entertainment
Five restaurants, one superyacht, dozens of touchpoints. For Ilma, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s second luxury yacht, Design Collective delivered a cohesive mix-and-match wardrobe that allowed each space — from laid-back beach club to fine-dining room — to maintain its own identity. Breathable fabrics, soft layering pieces, and custom prints anchored the look, including a signature Peruvian-inspired motif exclusive to Beach House. The collection debuted with a fashion show aboard Ilma and has drawn acclaim from guests and employees alike.
Fairmont Le Château Frontenac
Category: Lodging
This UNESCO-designated landmark demanded a wardrobe with history and staying power. Design Collective responded with suiting that modernizes formalwear while honoring the castle’s storied legacy. Double-breasted silhouettes, morning coats with gold trim, and a Chanel-inspired overcoat balance timeless elegance with easy-care performance. A bespoke navy cloth was developed to meet the hotel’s rigorous standards for breathability, durability, and visual richness, supporting wearers across all seasons.
Fairmont Breakers Long Beach
Category: Restaurants
Set inside a reimagined 1926 Art Deco icon, this program called for Hollywood charm with a contemporary edge. The Design Collective team crafted statement pieces that mirror the property's interiors. Shawl-collar blazers in deep velvet, contrast under-collar detailing, and sleek suiting with crease-resistant poly blends combine vintage influence with modern motion. Guests and staff alike have become instant fans.
For all media and partnership inquiries, contact: Michelle Goret, Cintas Vice President of Corporate Affairs | [email protected], 513-972-4155.
To learn more about Design Collective apparel programs, visit https://designcollective.cintas.com/.
About Design Collective® by Cintas
Design Collective by Cintas is an award-winning, fashion-forward uniform design studio within Cintas Corporation (Nasdaq: CTAS). The team partners with clients across hospitality, entertainment, and healthcare to craft apparel programs that express brand identity, elevate employee confidence, and deliver performance on the job. With design hubs in Cincinnati, New York, Chicago and Toronto, the studio blends creative vision with Cintas’s industry-leading supply chain and service capabilities. Learn more at designcollectivecintas.com.
Design Collective and the Design Collective logo are registered trademarks of Cintas Corporation.