NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY'S NEW SUSTAINABLE UNIFORMS

The National Portrait Gallery's new sustainable uniforms designed by Wayne Hemingway are to be worn by all visitor experience and retail staff members. Their focus on sustainability and longevity features their new branding in anticipation of their re-opening on 22 June 2023.


Image: Visitor Experience staff in a newly renovated gallery space, wearing a recycled shirt and branded t-shirts © David Parry; The National Portrait Gallery monogram embroidered onto a Guernsey jumper © David Parry. 

Designed by the multi-disciplinary design studio, HemingwayDesign, the collection was created in close collaboration with the gallery's visitor experience team to prioritise comfort and sustainability. Stall will have the flexibility to choose between a selection of newly designed curated workwear jackets, Guernsey knitwear, t-shirts made from factory off-cuts mixed with raw organic cotton, bespoke designed workwear waistcoats and recycled shirts, with a new striped lanyard ti distinguish the visitor experience and retail staff members. For formal occasions, a smarter shirt will also be introduced.

Sustainability and longevity have been a key consideration in developing the new uniforms, utilising recycled materials and prioritising high quality products, with 80% natural and certified organic fabrics and 20% waste material. The Gallery's new shirts include recycled sleeves, and its t-shirts have been made from organic cotton offcuts. Outerwear pieces have been designed to be re-used long-term, with all items saved for new generations of staff. Security staff will wear new organic cotton shirts adorned with the Gallery monogram in red, with their new ties sourced from charity shops and repurposed for the Gallery uniform, with the additional option to wear the new melton wool workwear jackets. Shell and copper buttons have been used instead of plastic and suppliers have been advised to use no plastic packaging.


Image: Visitor Experience staff in a newly renovated gallery space, wearing a recycled shirt and branded t-shirts © David Parry; The National Portrait Gallery monogram embroidered onto a Guernsey jumper © David Parry.

All items in the new uniform selection are intended to be gender-neutral, giving staff the freedom to choose from different options to best suit their individual needs, as well as seasons and occasions.

From overlooked details such as staff uniforms, the National Portrait Gallery is leading the way in thinking about sustainability in every aspect of an organisation, setting a new standard for art and cultural institutions. Be inspired and re-think your own uniform. 

Find out more about the National Gallery and their reopening: www.npg.org.uk

Find out more about HemingwayDesign: www.hemingwaydesign.co.uk