Edinburgh-based
NKD Clothing Limited is one of the UK’s leading designers
and suppliers of uniforms and corporate clothing.
The
company was established in 2002 by corporate clothing design specialist,
Kay Davidson. Gill Eastgate joined the company in 2003 as project
manager and in 2005 Gill successfully completed a management buy-out
with Kay Davidson remaining on board as creative design consultant.
Since
2005 and led by Gill Eastgate, a graduate of the Scottish College
of Textiles and listed as a “Who’s Who of Britain’s
Business Elite” the company turnover has increased five-fold
and the number of employees has grown to nine. The company is also
committed to promoting Scottish textile academic excellence and
it regularly offers internships for students from the Scottish College
of Textiles, Glasgow Caledonian University and Telford College.
NKD
is unique in its sector in offering a completely bespoke corporate
clothing solution for its clients. The company immerses itself totally
in the client’s business to gain a complete understanding
of their brand values, customers and employees. They then recommend
the best creative solutions for the client. A turn-key service is
provided from initial brief to design to project management and
final delivery of the garments. NKD can provide the complete employee
look from tops and trousers to footwear and accessories.
The
company’s client base includes hotels, corporates and professional
services. This includes several leading boutique hotels such as
Malmaison, Hotel du Vin Group and Dakota Hotels.
Another
unique offering by the company is mystery shopper type “Style
Visits” for many of its clients. This involves visits, announced
or unannounced, to see as many staff as possible to assess the complete
finished style in situ.
A
detailed report from the visit is provided which suggests any changes
which need to be made to improve the overall look and image of the
uniform. For example, employees may not be wearing the uniform correctly
or occasionally staff add in other items of their own clothing with
the uniform which doesn’t conform to the brand guidelines.
Also garments may need to be altered for certain departments.
Once
the new employee uniform is rolled out, NKD hosts a Q&A briefing
session with all employees to resolve any questions and make adjustments
as necessary. The company also provides Grooming Guideline materials
to illustrate the correct dress code for the establishment. NKD
actively encourages all positive and negative feedback and this
ensures that both the client and the employees are completely satisfied.
Once
the new employee uniform is rolled out, NKD hosts a Q&A briefing
session with all employees to resolve any questions and make adjustments
as necessary. The company also provides Grooming Guideline materials
to illustrate the correct dress code for the establishment. NKD
actively encourages all positive and negative feedback and this
ensures that both the client and the employees are completely satisfied.
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