Q&A
The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games came to a close on Monday, August 8. Coleshill-based Incorporatewear was tasked with supplying uniforms to thousands of volunteers during the games. Here, Lisa McCall, business development executive, explains just how this was achieved.
It’s a Brum thing! Q
When were you appointed as the Commonwealth Games official workforce uniform provider and how long were you given to design, manufacture and supply the uniforms? A. The tender for design, production and supply of uniforms was released towards the end of July, with final contract award being February 2021. Final designs were approved by May 2021 after which the sampling process took place. Final garment orders were placed by the organising committee in January 2022 for roll out/ delivery to take place by June 2022.
Q
Who did you make the uniforms for and for how many people in total?
A. Incorporatewear made The Games Workforce Uniforms for both the Birmingham 2022 Games Workforce, being paid staff and volunteers, technical officials who are the adjudicators for each sport, as well as the Queen’s Baton Relay uniform.
A total of 165,000 garments were manufactured and distributed including; • 2,200 home deliveries to the Queen’s Baton Relay.
• 1,060 technical officials delivered to hotels.
• 13,000 home deliveries to volunteers who make up the Commonwealth collective.
• 2,300 paid staff delivered to B2022 head office.
Q
Can you describe the design process from initial concept to final version?
A. Each uniform had to easily identify Games Workforce and technical officials to athletes, spectators, games family members, media, broadcasters and sponsors. They had to meet the functional requirements of wearers, both in fabric choice and elements such as pockets and other practical considerations. The requirement was to visually unite the 2022 Commonwealth Games Workforce and reflect the look and vision of the 2022 Commonwealth Games while at the same time reflecting the local community
| 64 | September 2022
The uniforms that Incorporatewear designed and supplied
and culture. To that end too, the uniform needed to be regarded as a significant reward and recognition item that the Games Workforce is proud to wear and ultimately feel is a memorable keepsake A creative brief was provided by the organising committee in February 2021 as well as functional requirements such as being easy to maintain and preserve its quality throughout the Games period and beyond, recognising it is a significant recognition item from the Games. It needed to be able to withstand multiple machine washings and machine drying, and requiring minimal alterations. Fabrics needed to meet the technical/ functional requirements of the roles performed for example moisture wicking, waterproof/ repellent, breathable etc., as well as be comfortable to wear for long periods of time. The uniforms needed to look as professional and smart on the last day as they did on the first and be suitable for for varying weather conditions. A full range of age groups, sizes and shapes needed to be considered.
In developing the Birmingham 2022 brand, the people of Birmingham and the West Midlands were consulted. Their voices helped to shape the brand, creating an authentic platform that embodies everything the region and the Games
stands for: youthful, diverse, dynamic, creative and always looking to innovate, and they wanted the workforce uniforms to be a tangible and living expression of the Birmingham 2022 brand. A colour palette was provided taking inspiration from Birmingham for example, iron grey, reflecting Birmingham’s proud industrial heritage, canal blue, demonstrating Birmingham’s ambition to connect the wider region and one of the secondary colours being Balti orange, highlighting the cultural influences on the city. While the palette was provided it was at the supplier’s discretion as to how to utilise these with in their design proposals.
Q
Why were the colours and fabrics used chosen?
A. The colours were taken from the prescribed organising committee palette, however, were selected considering a number of practicalities and design elements, like what would suit many skin tones, darker bottom colours which lived with the top colours. The volunteers’ uniform also had to stand out so they were visible to visitors and easy to spot. We had to determine which elements of shape and pattern we wanted to incorporate for example the swirls on the bag paying homage to the famous Library of Birmingham.
Q
How did you ensure that a uniform to be worn by thousands was going to be suitable for all ages, shapes and sizes? A. Incorporatewear utilises sizing digital technology to capture individual’s sizes and then generate the necessary details to pick and pack a full uniform for each individual. This technology was integrated into the volunteer online registration process. This process facilitated a database capturing the sizing details for each member of the workforce. Incorporatewear developed an appropriate database and structure for uniforms to enable delivery of uniforms in individually pre-labelled presentation.
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