Mark Twain remarked that “Clothes make the man”. Spa style authority Noel Asmar, founder of international design innovator Spa Uniforms, Inc., adds that “proper professional apparel makes the service”.
”Thousands of new spas open every year”, she says. “What distinguishes one from the next in this highly competitive industry is the level of service they offer. Appropriate employee attire is an important part of how this service message is communicated.”
US consumers often report a decline in the key factors which create a memorable experience and resulting repeat business: employee attentiveness, responsiveness and accountability.
Sales people, bank tellers, restaurant wait-staff and other service professionals used to wear suits or uniform jackets, she says. Today, they often wear tank-tops and tee-shirts. This reflects the current tendency in business to cater to the needs of the employee more than the needs of the client. And while a lack of formality may make the employee feel more relaxed, this attitude does not inspire consumer trust.
As a step toward regaining consumer confidence in service industries, Asmar believes that employees who look sharp every day are perceived as being more professional and delivering better services. Asmar’s company offers the widest range of sizes, styles and colors in the professional spa uniforms industry. Her signatures are unusual, earthy colors including Chocolate, Charcoal, Spicy Berry and Deep Olive, as well a fabrication woven with enough stretch to allow the wearer to move and work comfortably.
Asmar designs garments to bring out the best in terms of employee attitude, behavior and even posture. For instance, her collections of trousers are intentionally made without pockets for the tidiest appearance. In 2007, she introduced Spa Soles, her line of quality leather footwear for spa professionals, further extending the definition of professional appearance as a head-to-toe proposition.
Asmar and her Vancouver, B.C.-based team of consultants offer their branding expertise to more than 6,000 clients worldwide. She comments, “creating overall branding consistency requires that the attitude match the apparel. We work with clients to create spa environments which deliver a seamless experience, no distractions, no jarring discrepancies in brand image.”
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Noel Asmar’s Top Six Style Tips for Spa Employees:
1. Insist that employees cover all tattoos while at work. Personal fashion statements which are too extreme alienate clientele in all but the most extreme settings.
2. The spa must be a zero-bling zone: jewelry worn in the spa should be minimal to none. This is especially true of distracting stacks of noisy bangles, huge hoops and dangles, multiple piercings of the ears, and nose and tongue studs.
3. Hair-style often is an issue of great division and contention among employees. While Asmar agrees that long hair may be beautiful, it must be contained for spa work, meaning held off the face and shoulders with a simple band or clip, as much for hygiene as for style.
4. Makeup should be neutral, natural and classic – no turquoise eye-shadow, no glitter!
5. Because of the intimate nature of spa work, intense personal fragrances must be avoided. Brushing and flossing teeth and freshening the breath with mouthwash throughout the day are a good idea, though, says Asmar. Chewing gum is never permissible in the spa setting.
6. Hands and feet are an instant indicator of professionalism. Many skin care, massage and spa organizations ban acrylic nails as unhygienic. Whether natural or faux, nails must be groomed, but no longer than the fingertip. As for feet, many states prohibit the wearing of flip-flops, sandals or open-toed shoes by spa employees in compliance with local health codes. If feet are exposed to clients, toes must be freshly pedicured.
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For more information about how to choose a high-quality uniform as part of an overall spa branding program, please visit www.spauniforms.com , or call:
Toll-free within USA & Canada: 1-800-772-1408
Direct: 604-601-2028
Fax: 604-542-1069
To download a selection of images, please visit: ftp.spauniforms.com
User name: spauniforms
Password: design
Website:
Email: info@spauniforms.com
