OWINGS MILLS, Md. — America’s Best Cleaners (ABC) recently held a WorkFlow Live event, “Bridal — Couture & Vintage Cleaning and Restoration,” in collaboration with industry experts.
Held in Owings Mills, Maryland, on May 16-18, this event featured a mix of classroom presentations and group collaboration on fibers, fabrics, finishes and the unique approach to working on the restoration and conservation of the latest couture fashion and vintage apparel.
Instructors for the event included Bob Edwards from A.L. Wilson Chemical Co., ABC Senior Consultant Liz Davies, ABC Executive Director Chris White, and host Affiliate Janet Garman of Glyndon Lord Baltimore Cleaners.
Technicians from across the country learned and shared experiences and techniques on cleaning, restoring, and preserving some of the world's most unique designs.
“The unique skill sets required to maintain and restore the world's elite fashions are continually evolving,” White says, “and programs like this allow our technicians to sharpen their ability to safely and effectively keep these investment pieces in top shape. With the growth of the circular fashion economy, we are seeing more high-fashion and couture-level garments that require a unique approach and bespoke level of care. We are proud of our Affiliate's continuous work to ensure that the best brands are cared for by the best hands.”
During the event, guest speaker Francesca Ripple, representing the Luxury Bridal House - Francesca Bridal & Atelier, shared updates on the current trends in bridal fashion and unique fabrics, drawing from her recent visit to luxury bridal shows in Barcelona, Spain. With a rich family history deeply rooted in fashion and bespoke craftsmanship, ABC reports that Ripple’s personal journey added an extra layer of inspiration to the event.
“It was a pleasure for Glyndon Lord Baltimore Cleaners to host America's Best Cleaner's Bridal and Workflow Live Bridal and Couture two-day training event at our facility,” says Janet Garman, vice president of Glyndon Lord Baltimore Cleaners. “Chris White, Liz Davies, and Bob Edwards are all treasure troves of information, and they didn't hold back on sharing their knowledge of how to best clean and care for bridal, vintage, and couture garments. The energy behind the preparation, presentations, and hands-on experience kept all of the attendees fully engaged. It was a great group, and not only did we gain a wealth of information, but we forged new friendships with colleagues across the country."
ABC Workflow Live, the organization states in its release, empowered attendees with the confidence and skills to develop and implement unique cleaning processes across the nation, further solidifying the CoutureCare Certification exclusive to ABC Affiliates. By bringing together industry leaders and fostering knowledge exchange, ABC says it continues its mission to elevate standards and redefine excellence in fabric care
Have a question or comment? E-mail our editor Dave Davis at [email protected].
