NAUMD names 2026 award winners in uniforms and workwear

By AI, Created 11:29 AM UTC, May 20, 2026, /AGP/ – NAUMD announced the winners of its 2026 awards on May 5 at the association’s annual convention in Boston. The awards spotlight uniform and workwear programs, products and public safety designs that stand out for design, functionality, innovation and impact.

Why it matters: - The awards point to where uniform and workwear design is heading: more focus on fit, performance, technology and real-world use. - The winners span retail, health care, public safety, entertainment, transportation and manufacturing, showing how uniforms now serve both branding and operational needs. - The recognition can influence buying decisions across an industry that depends on uniforms to support workers and reinforce identity.

What happened: - NAUMD announced the 2026 NAUMD Awards on May 5 during its annual convention in Boston. - The awards honor achievement across the global uniform, image apparel and workwear industry. - Independent judges scored submissions on appearance, client problem-solving, innovation and program execution. - The highest-scoring entries in each category were selected as winners.

The details: - Rick Levine, NAUMD executive director, said the awards reflect collaboration, creativity and technical expertise in the industry. - In the Image of the Year Awards, Affinity’s program for Huntington Bank refreshed uniforms for more than 6,300 employees across 975 branches. - BAMKO’s program for Kampgrounds of America unified a legacy outdoor brand across 500+ locations. - TSC Inc & Bicosa created immersive wardrobe design for Universal Orlando’s Epic Universe. - Design Collective by Cintas won for programs at Hollywood Casino Joliet and State Farm Arena. - Lands’ End Outfitters won for the Chase Style Apparel Program and the Avis/Budget initiative. - Luly Yang Design Group was recognized for Canlis and Open Arms Health Care. - OOBE Apparel Design Group won for Chick-fil-A’s TeamStyle 4.0 program, which serves more than 250,000 team members globally. - Unisync Group, Workwear Outfitters and J.A. Uniforms also earned Image of the Year recognition. - In the Innovation Awards, Bodi Me’s Size-Me 5.0 platform focused on digital sizing and fit. - Hero’s Pride introduced NFC-enabled smart patches that connect uniforms to digital data. - Xerafy’s TEX Roll enables on-demand RFID tagging in production. - Fechheimer’s ElementFlex HardShell Jacket and LION’s CX360 Stretch Blousecoat were recognized for improved comfort and mobility. - Milliken & Company’s Assure™ is a non-PFAS, non-halogenated moisture barrier for firefighters. - Kariwala Industries’ AI-driven line balancing improved production efficiency. - The Uniform Solution’s Insights platform is designed to transform data use. - Lands’ End School Uniform’s One Less Worry initiative was highlighted for sustainability. - In the Best Dressed Public Safety Department Awards, Fechheimer was recognized for programs with the Kentucky State Police Honor Guard, University of Kentucky Police Department and Seattle Police Department. - GALLS & LION featuring Elbeco were honored for programs with the Atlanta and Philadelphia Police Departments. - That public safety work included a large-scale transformation affecting nearly 2,000 officers. - The Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office, Canadian Coast Guard, Peel Regional EMS and Three Rivers Ambulance Authority also won awards.

Between the lines: - NAUMD is increasingly spotlighting products that combine aesthetics with operational performance, rather than treating uniforms as simple apparel. - The innovation winners show a clear push toward digital sizing, RFID, NFC and data tools inside uniform programs. - The public safety awards suggest agencies are looking for uniforms that balance tradition, professionalism and modern function.

What’s next: - NAUMD is likely to keep using the awards program to set benchmarks for the next generation of uniform and workwear products. - The association will continue connecting industry professionals, offering education and recognizing excellence through its awards program. - As buyers look for more specialized solutions, winning programs may become reference points for future procurement and design decisions.

The bottom line: - NAUMD’s 2026 winners show a uniform industry moving toward smarter, more functional and more specialized programs.