The Noel Asmar Group, the lifestyle brand behind Noel Asmar Uniforms and Asmar Equestrian, has been named the recipient of a 2019 ISPA Innovate Award by the International Spa Association.
The company is known for pioneering designs and will receive the award for its new line of eco-friendly athleisure uniforms made from recycled plastic.
Canadian founder and Spa and Wellness advocate Noel Asmar is credited with creating the first designer spa uniform in 2002. The idea at the time was to create an alternative to “the archaic and unflattering” uniforms to which the industry had grown accustomed. She has since received several awards for her designs for the Spa and Wellness and Equestrian worlds, and she and her team work with some of the most iconic hotels and resorts in the world, including Sandals Resorts International and Four Seasons.
The new athleisure uniform line is made out of recycled bottles that are crushed, pelleted and spun into fabric. The fabric is then treated with a sustainable biodegradable ChitoSanté treatment, making it anti-bacterial, odor resistant, and moisture wicking. The treatment also provides a UPF 50 sun protection that blocks 97.5% of UV radiation exposure. ChitoSanté is made from crab and shrimp shells and is the only anti-bacterial bio-agent in the world certified by the US Environmental Protection Agency.
“As a Spa industry, we are very fortunate to have leaders that are constantly looking for new, innovative ways to grow our industry,” said ISPA President Lynne McNees in a statement. “We are excited to recognize the Noel Asmar Group as one of this year’s Innovate Award winners on their forward-thinking approach to use recycled fabric made from repurposed plastic bottles in their athleisure uniform line.”
And Noel Asmar said, “We are delighted to be the recipient of a 2019 ISPA Innovate Award. Innovation has always been the backbone of our business, so this recognition is especially gratifying. Our passion to innovate is what drives us to focus on collaboration – listening to our customers, getting their feedback and understanding their specific needs. We design our garments with that information in mind.”
She added, “I am so proud of the work our team has done over the last year to bring this eco-friendly line to market and provide our diverse range of clients with a sustainable uniform option that they can feel good about.”
The ISPA Innovate Awards celebrate innovations in the Spa industry. They are presented annually to deserving ISPA members.
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