Fashion designer Leesa Dawson is transforming beauty therapists’ working wardrobes with uniforms that are as stylish as the clothes they wear in their time off.
Leesa opened up her business, The Uniform Stylist, earlier this year to fill gaps in the beauty uniform market for salon uniforms “that dare to be different, stylish, accessible, sustainable and practical”.
“We aim to inject individual style to work place uniformity,” she says.
“Bringing fashion back to uniforms really is overdue from a modern business/brand aesthetic point of view and just as importantly the happiness/comfort of staff.
“Prior to The Uniform Stylist, there have been several popular, traditional uniform styles in the market that offer function and familiarity − a smart look that clients recognise and have come to expect a therapist to wear in salon.”
Although this is “a sensible solution” for some salons, Leesa believes many salon owners and therapists are now looking for something “a bit different”.
“Some salon owners have businesses that have moved on in so many ways, and so as part of that evolving process they’re now sourcing uniforms that can offer something a bit more unique to their brand,” she explains.
“Retailers like Cue, Zara, Myer and Portmans have some good options as they offer current styling that suits the modern aesthetic of their business and offer professional collections designed specifically for ‘boss babes’.
“However, these styles can be hit-and-miss as they vary so much from month to month, sizes can be limited, and they’re not really designed to be durable or comfortable enough to wear all day long in a salon.”
Leesa, who has 20 years’ experience as a fashion buyer/designer, therefore collaborated with salon owners and therapists to develop uniforms that meet their specific needs – and help ensure their salon’s success.
“We never get a second chance to make a first impression and how we look at work has a massive impact on our confidence, wellbeing and performance,” she says.
“We understand that every therapist wants to look great as an individual but also needs to be united as a part of the salon brand.
“We therefore aim to offer every therapist in a salon the opportunity to feel empowered in an outfit that suits them.”
“‘One style suits all’ and ‘one size fits all” options don’t actually exist but at The Uniform Stylist one collection can work for everyone in the salon team.”
The Uniform Stylist has just launched its first collection, EMBASSIE, and plans to release more products and collections in 2019.
“I look forward to collaborating with even more salons to ensure future products will continue to tick all the important boxes for the modern salon,” says Leesa.
For more information visit www.theuniformstylist.com