Today, the market is crowded with offerings and yet still it is difficult to find Spa uniforms that meet the requirements of wellbeing establishments with regard to look, comfort, personalisation, and elegance...  that is why the arrival of FASHIONIZER Spa in france could not go unnoticed! This british company has over 20 years’ experience in the hotel industry, and its Spa brand has already made great inroads into the french market. We met the enthusiastic Debbie LEON, chairwoman of FASHIONIZER.

Debbie, tell us more about the creation of Fashionizer some 20 years ago? How did you manage to acquire such a leading position in the Hotel uniform business?
Debbie LEON: In creating Fashionizer I found an opportunity to translate my passion and skills for costume design into a new industry. I envisaged a design focused company which would work with hotel owners to create something they felt was in line with their property and operation. That focus on a partnership between me and my clients is what appealed to our customers.
Over the years we have built a reputation for innovative and clean design coupled with a high end fashion look that is unique for each client we work with, thus setting them apart. I think that’s why Fashionizer is in a strong position in the market today, nobody else is doing it with quite the same attention to detail, quality, or level of customer service that we offer.

Today, how are your Hotel portfolios constituted in the UK and internationally?
D.L.: We work with a lot of five star hotels and luxury Spas. Last year we won an award for the uniform designs of St Pancras Renaissance Hotel, a landmark those arriving from Paris on the Eurostar may well recognise. Our aim was to ensure each uniform conveyed a strong association to the building’s heritage while being contemporary in both design and execution with modern fabrics. We have also recently completed projects in Beirut and the Canary Islands with clients we have had for 10 years. Our Spa projects also focus on creating a unique, functional look and include clients such as Four Seasons Spas in Los Angeles and Toronto, Aspria across Europe and Veli Spa in the Maldives.

Do you find that the Hotels’ expectations for uniforms have changed over the years? In what way?
D.L.: Yes. Our clients are becoming increasingly aware that staff and how they look can play a part in the unique experience of a hotel as a whole. Staff are the front line, providing service that sets quality establishments apart. With client budgets tightening, we’ve had to be creative with our uniform solutions, but that forces you to think in an innovative way; creating something that’s fit for purpose, comes in on an agreed budget, and doesn’t compromise on design.

When did you decide to launch Fashionizer Spa and how has the development of the Spa market come along for you? How is your Spa range different?
D.L.: When clients began requesting cotton Spa uniforms, we found there was nothing on the market that could stand up to Spa use, so we created one. We launched in 2008 and our unique fabric CPF (Cotton Performance Fabric) allows our uniforms to be breathable and sustainable. Products for the Spa range are created with the same care and creativity as our hospitality ones, but with even more focus on functionality and comfort to suit the Spa working environment.

Fashionizer Spa has now been available in France since the beginning of the year. What can you bring to the French market and what are your expectations?
D.L.: France has lots of luxury Spas that we’d love to work with, and CPF was developed in France by a French mill we have worked with for a long time. So, when we found a French speaking agent it was the ideal time to launch, as now they can liaise directly with her. So far the response has been great; we believe that our luxury Spa garments are better quality than others on the market. Once Spa staff wear a cotton uniform they don’t want to go back to polyester!

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