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PHILADELPHIA, PA - Last month, pioneering fashion entrepreneur Sarah Van Aken debuted a new custom uniform program for Chef Jean-Georges' newest Spice Market restaurant opening at the W Hotel in London, under her ethical apparel brand Van Aken Signature (http://www.vanakensignature.com). The ten-piece collection designed exclusively for Jean-Georges "embodies the distinct contemporary, ethnic feel of the Spice Market brand with an easy but incredibly fashionable feel" says Ms. Van Aken.
Van Aken Signature uniform programs combine high fashion and functional hospitality attire designed within the restaurant's brand aesthetic. All uniform programs are designed and manufactured in Van Aken's own, Philadelphia based Garment Center using fair-trade and often sustainable textiles.
A distinctive and chic uniform was designed for each front-of-house staff position for the new Spice Market, which opened February 14th. The brand's signature red color palette is seen in various tones throughout the uniform program and highlighted with a signature graphic print. Ms. Van Aken's own sense of aesthetic, rooted in effortless and personal style can be seen in the jersey jump suit worn by the cocktail servers, asymmetrical tunic jackets by the wait staff, and the trademark reverse wrap dress on hostesses.
Sarah Van Aken has been designing custom uniform programs under the brand Van Aken Signature since 2006 when she reinvented the uniform program for Alfred Portale's Gotham Bar & Grill in New York City. Since then the brand's elite celebrity chef and hospitality client list has grown to include famed establishments such as Riverpark by Tom Colicchio, Aureole by Charlie Palmer, Marc Forgione, Rouge Tomate, The Borgata, The Fontainebleau Hotel and more. Next on the horizon for the growing apparel brand is Makato a Starr Restaurant Organization project, opening in Bal Harbour this February.
"Restaurant uniforms don't have to be boring or basic" describes Van Aken "The wait staff are ambassadors of the brand, the first people seen by the clientele and how information is conveyed. Their appearance should be given the same attention as how a drink is prepared and how food is plated."
"There are still a few people manufacturing in the United States," says Van Aken "but we are committed to creating local, living wage jobs, where employees have access to health insurance." In keeping with this model, Van Aken also practices what she calls "social sustainability." Van Aken has committed to creating 22 new jobs in Philadelphia within three years, all of them positions that are fairly compensated. The company has reduced its carbon footprint in half by manufacturing locally, buying more domestic textiles and using recycled and sustainable materials. In addition, Van Aken and her team are active participants in their community, regularly volunteering with such groups as the People's Emergency Center (PEC) and the Career Wardrobe through food drives, fundraising, and clothing drives
Sarah Van Aken comes from a tradition of clothing design; her mother and grandmother used to hand-craft all the family's clothing when she was young and have worked with her to envision SA VA. After graduating with a B.A. in Fine Art from the University of Delaware, she worked in garment production for an apparel wholesaler in New York City. Her first foray into owning her own business came in 2005, when she launched Van Aken Custom, a line of meticulously measured and tailored men's dress shirts based in Philadelphia. Since then, she has launched Van Aken Signature, V.A. Private Label manufacturing services and her groundbreaking ethical women's apparel brand SA VA.
For more information about Sarah Van Aken, Van Aken Signature, or her other lines, please visit http://www.vanakensignature.com
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