I had been working in the corporate fashion industry before moving to Asia, where I lived for over 14 years. At some point, I just couldn\u2019t ignore the amount of polyester used in workwear anymore. I genuinely felt bad for the people who had to wear these synthetic fabrics every day \u2014 especially in sweltering heat.<\/span><\/p>\n So I started designing workwear using natural materials. <\/span><\/p>\n In the beginning, I created full collections \u2014 shirts, trousers, skirts, dresses \u2014 with the idea of building a simple set of pieces that could be worn as a uniform, without feeling too \u201cuniformy.\u201d Everything was made with natural fabrics.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n When I moved to the UK six years ago, I realised I wanted to take things one step further. Sustainability<\/a> had always been important to me, and I wanted to create products that were not only better for the planet, but also better for the people wearing them.<\/span><\/p>\n www.nadinebrandtphotography.com<\/p><\/div>\n There are so many products out there that are labelled \u201csustainable\u201d \u2014 but are they really? Especially in the uniform industry, people often don\u2019t have the time (or sometimes the knowledge) to properly check a brand\u2019s claims. I saw a real gap in the market: sustainable workwear that not only looked good but also felt great to wear, day in and day out \u2014 something that could actually boost comfort and morale on the job.<\/span><\/p>\n As much as I loved the full product range I had, I quickly realised that creating truly 100% sustainable products wasn\u2019t easy \u2014 especially as I was working with a small team and limited resources. That\u2019s when I made the decision to focus solely on aprons. I\u2019d rather go deep with one product and do it properly, than spread myself too thin and compromise on what sustainability really means.<\/span><\/p>\n It\u2019s a simple item, but with so much potential. <\/span><\/p>\n Our materials are soft but sturdy, our colours are vibrant and unique, and above all, our service is personal. We\u2019re a small business, which means every client matters and we listen, adapt, and try to build lasting relationships, not just one-off sales. From first contact to repeat orders, our goal is to be supportive and reliable.<\/span><\/p>\n Of course, I know that price plays a big role in hospitality and I\u2019ll be honest, it\u2019s hard to compete with fast, mass-produced workwear on price. But that\u2019s not really what we\u2019re about. <\/span><\/p>\n We focus on quality that lasts, on pieces that feel good to wear, and on helping businesses who understand that well-made, sustainable products are an investment not just an expense.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n There\u2019s not always an obvious space for what we offer, sometimes we have to create that space in people\u2019s minds. But once people understand the full lifecycle of a product; how it\u2019s made, how long it lasts, how it aligns with their values,\u00a0 that\u2019s when our approach really stands out.<\/span><\/p>\n www.nadinebrandtphotography.com<\/p><\/div>\n For me, the sustainability conversation in hospitality needs to expand. Over the past few years, we\u2019ve seen huge progress with concepts like <\/span>farm to table<\/span><\/i><\/a>, seasonal menus, and sourcing locally<\/a>.\u00a0 Customers are actively looking for that. But now that many restaurants<\/a> have embraced this way of thinking in the kitchen, it\u2019s time to apply the same values across the rest of the business; including uniforms and workwear.<\/span><\/p>\n If you\u2019re serving locally sourced produce, but your team is wearing cheap, synthetic aprons made from water-polluting polyester, produced under questionable conditions and sold for next to nothing; that\u2019s a contradiction. It tells a different story than the one you\u2019re trying to convey. <\/span><\/p>\n True sustainability isn\u2019t just about what\u2019s on the plate. It\u2019s about the entire supply chain, from ingredients to interiors to uniforms.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Sometimes, it\u2019s just about not knowing what\u2019s already out there. The more we share ideas, collaborate, and shine a light on sustainable alternatives, the easier it becomes for businesses to take the next step. That\u2019s why events and organisations like Brighton Hospitality are so important. They help connect the dots between Restaurants and what is out there.<\/span><\/p>\n www.nadinebrandtphotography.com<\/p><\/div>\n Our relationships with suppliers and manufacturers are just as important as the ones we have with our clients. As a small business, working in the textile industry comes with its own challenges. It is a space that is still largely driven by large-scale production. Many manufacturers prefer working with orders in the thousands, but that is simply not how we operate. So it was essential to find partners who understand our standards and are willing to work within our scale.<\/span><\/p>\n Just as important is their understanding that sustainability is not optional. It is at the core of everything we do. That mindset shift can be difficult. In many manufacturing regions, awareness around sustainability is still developing. It is not uncommon to hear, with a little wink, that things could be made quicker or cheaper if we just cut this or that corner.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n It can be exhausting at times, but over the years, we have built a network of manufacturers who understand, most of the time, what we are about. Do they think exactly like we do? Not always. So yes, we double and triple check, every single time. We have learned where the weak spot are, and we keep those checks going.<\/span><\/p>\n Sometimes it feels a bit like asking a child every time they leave the bathroom, \u201cDid you wash your hands?\u201d But in the end, it is worth it.<\/span><\/p>\n www.nadinebrandtphotography.com<\/p><\/div>\n Honestly, it\u2019s a real mix. We see strong demand from bakeries<\/a> and caf\u00e9s, but the core of our business comes from independent, forward-thinking restaurants. That could be a single site or a small restaurant group. It is usually people who put their team, the quality of what they serve, and their brand values at the heart of what they do.<\/span><\/p>\n Once our aprons arrive, the feedback is always very positive. People comment on the fabric, the colours, the comfort. Our biggest challenge, I think, is that our aprons need to be touched to be fully appreciated. On a screen, it\u2019s hard to show the structure, the softness, the richness of colour, all the things that make them stand out.<\/span><\/p>\n www.nadinebrandtphotography.com<\/p><\/div>\n Our products have character. You can tell the difference right away when you compare one of our aprons to a flat, shiny, mass-produced version. There\u2019s a quality and presence to them that speaks for itself.<\/span><\/p>\n Start small, but start somewhere. <\/span><\/p>\n Sustainability doesn\u2019t have to mean completely overhauling everything overnight. <\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n It is about making better choices, step by step, and being intentional with where you put your money and attention.<\/span><\/p>\n When it comes to uniforms, think about quality and longevity. Instead of buying cheap and replacing often, invest in pieces that will last, that your team enjoys wearing, and that align with your brand values. Natural materials like organic cotton don\u2019t just feel better, they are also better for the planet and for the people who wear them.<\/span><\/p>\n Also, take time to ask your suppliers questions. Where are things made? What are they made from? Is there a take-back, repair, or recycling option? If they can\u2019t answer or answer vaguely, that tells you something.<\/span><\/p>\n www.nadinebrandtphotography.com<\/p><\/div>\n I\u2019m just really excited to meet people who care about sustainability \u2014 or who are open to learning more about it. For me, that\u2019s where it all starts: with curiosity, conversation, and shared values. I love what I do, and I truly believe the best way to spread that energy is by showing up and talking to people directly.<\/span><\/p>\n vWorkshops like this are such a great opportunity to connect, to share experiences and challenges, and to remind ourselves that we\u2019re not alone in trying to make a difference. Sustainability can feel overwhelming at times \u2014 it\u2019s not always linear progress, and it can feel like one step forward and two steps back. But I really believe that if we keep showing up, keep talking, and keep doing the work (even in small ways), it adds up.<\/span><\/p>\n Brighton’s Sustainability Workshops<\/p><\/div>\n So I\u2019m looking forward to being part of that conversation, hopefully inspiring a few people along the way, and being inspired myself. If I can help someone feel motivated to take the next step \u2014 however small \u2014 then it\u2019s already been worth it.<\/span><\/p>\n First, head over to our website <\/span>www.wearshift.co<\/span><\/a> to explore our full range of sustainable aprons \u2014 you\u2019ll find all our available styles and colours there. If you\u2019re after something bespoke or can\u2019t quite find what you\u2019re looking for, feel free to reach out to me directly at claudia.keller@wearshift.co<\/a>. I\u2019m always happy to chat through ideas and explore how we can create something tailored to your business.<\/span><\/p>\n We meet Claudia Spichtig, founder of sustainable workwear brand WEAR SHIFT, ahead of her appearance at the next Sustainability Workshop with Restaurants Brighton and the University of Brighton. In this inspiring interview, Claudia shares how she turned her frustration with synthetic uniforms into a purpose-driven business that puts people and planet first. From natural materials<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":17124,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1012,2825],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-17119","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-supplier-spotlight","category-sustainability-toolkit"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/restaurantsbrighton.co.uk\/jobs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/202202-NBP-SHIFT-Aprons-Flat-Lays-19.jpg\")
What sets WEAR SHIFT apart from other workwear brands, particularly for hospitality businesses like restaurants, pubs and caf\u00e9s?<\/b><\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/restaurantsbrighton.co.uk\/jobs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/2024-Sept-NBP-SHIFT-85.jpg\")
Why is sustainability such a crucial consideration when it comes to workwear in hospitality?<\/b><\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/restaurantsbrighton.co.uk\/jobs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/2024-Sept-NBP-SHIFT-81.jpg\")
How do you ensure your materials and manufacturing processes align with your sustainability values?<\/b><\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/restaurantsbrighton.co.uk\/jobs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/202209-NBP-Packaging-7.jpg\")
What types of venues are currently choosing WEAR SHIFT \u2013 and what feedback are you getting from chefs, baristas, and front-of-house teams?<\/b><\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/restaurantsbrighton.co.uk\/jobs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/NBP-Wear-Shift-Website-8.jpg\")
What advice would you give to hospitality businesses looking to make more sustainable choices when it comes to uniforms and day-to-day operations?<\/b><\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/restaurantsbrighton.co.uk\/jobs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/202202-NBP-SHIFT-Aprons-Flat-Lays-1-e1748866263355.jpg\")
You\u2019re supporting a sustainability workshop with Restaurants Brighton and the University of Brighton\u2013 what are you looking forward to most about this event?<\/b><\/h3>\n
![\"the](\"https:\/\/restaurantsbrighton.co.uk\/jobs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Sustainable-Workshop-2025-53-scaled.jpg\")
If a business in Sussex wanted to find out more about what you do, what would be the process?<\/b><\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/restaurantsbrighton.co.uk\/jobs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/SHIFTLogo.png\")
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"