Case Study: Premium Workwear Solutions for Coronet Ridge Resort

Client and Project Background 

Client Overview: 

Coronet Ridge Resort is a luxury hospitality destination located in the renowned resort town of Queenstown, New Zealand. Known for its stunning alpine surroundings and premium guest experiences, the resort prides itself on delivering exceptional service across accommodation, dining, spa, and guest services.

Maintaining a consistent and elevated staff presentation was a key priority to support the overall guest experience and brand perception.

Client Needs:  

Coronet Ridge Resort approached Henry & Gray to develop a comprehensive uniform solution that would elevate their brand image while remaining practical for a wide range of hospitality roles.

The resort required uniforms that would:

• Reflect the premium positioning of the brand
• Provide a polished and professional appearance for guest-facing staff
• Offer durability and comfort for day-to-day operations
• Allow flexibility for future reorders and staff expansion

To achieve this, the solution needed to combine custom-designed pieces with ready-stock uniform options for efficiency and scalability.

Goals and Objectives: 

The goal was to develop a flexible and brand-aligned uniform program that could support multiple departments while maintaining a consistent look and feel.

This included uniforms for:

• Front of house reception staff
• Food and beverage teams
• Spa staff
• Housekeeping staff
• Maintenance team members
  

Each role required garments suited to their day-to-day responsibilities, while still aligning with the overall resort brand.

Project Execution

Custom Statement Pieces for Front of House Staff

A standout feature of the project was the creation of fully custom herringbone blazers for the front-of-house team.

These blazers were crafted using a premium herringbone wool outer fabric, offering a refined texture and elevated appearance that aligned with the resort’s luxury identity. The tailored fit and structured design delivered a sharp, professional silhouette ideal for guest-facing roles.

Internally, the blazers featured custom lining matched to the resort’s brand colours, adding a subtle but distinctive branded element.

This combination of fabric, fit, and detail created a premium statement piece that enhanced first impressions and elevated the arrival experience for guests.

Custom Branded Accessories

To complement the blazers, Henry & Gray also developed custom digital print scarves and pocket squares for front-of-house team members.

These accessories incorporated the resort’s branding and colour palette, helping to tie the entire uniform look together while providing a subtle yet distinctive visual element.

The scarves and pocket squares allowed the resort to introduce brand personality and colour into the uniform while maintaining a refined and professional appearance.

Combining Ready-Stock and Custom Uniform Items

To support the broader team, we implemented a hybrid uniform approach, combining custom garments with high-quality ready-stock items.

While custom pieces defined the brand at key touchpoints, ready-stock uniforms were used across departments including:

• Food and beverage
• Spa
• Housekeeping
• Maintenance

This approach delivered several advantages:

• Flexibility for reordering
• Faster turnaround times
• Lower minimum order requirements
• A wide range of suitable garments for different roles

By selecting one or two key custom items and supporting them with ready-stock uniforms, the resort achieved a strong brand identity without compromising practicality.

Completing the Uniform with Branded Details

To complete the uniform program, we also supplied branded name tags across all departments.

These name tags were designed to align with the resort’s visual identity and added a consistent, professional finishing touch. They also enhanced the guest experience by making staff more approachable and reinforcing personal interaction.

From reception through to housekeeping and food service, name tags played an important role in creating a cohesive and recognisable team presence.

Challenges and Solutions

Challenge: Balancing Premium Branding with Operational Flexibility

The resort required a uniform solution that delivered a high-end, custom look while still being easy to manage across multiple departments.

Solution: 

By focusing custom development on key visual elements — such as the herringbone blazers and branded accessories — Henry & Gray was able to create a distinctive brand presence for front-of-house staff.

At the same time, incorporating ready-stock garments for other roles allowed the resort to maintain flexibility in managing its uniform program, ensuring garments could be reordered quickly as needed.

This blended approach provided the resort with the best of both worlds: unique custom pieces that enhanced the brand experience, combined with practical uniform solutions that supported day-to-day operations.

Results and Impact 

Elevated Brand Presentation

The new uniform program significantly enhanced the visual consistency of the resort’s team.

The custom herringbone blazers and accessories created a strong, premium first impression, while ready-stock items ensured all departments maintained a clean and professional appearance.

Improved Team Experience

Staff benefited from uniforms that were both functional and comfortable, while also feeling aligned with a high-quality brand.

The addition of branded name tags further supported team identity and improved guest interaction across all service areas.

Lessons Learned and Future Implications

This project highlighted the value of combining custom and ready-stock uniforms to create a solution that balances brand impact with operational efficiency.

For hospitality businesses, selecting a few key custom pieces — such as blazers or accessories — can elevate the overall look, while ready-stock garments provide the flexibility needed for day-to-day operations.

The Coronet Ridge Resort case study demonstrates how a thoughtful, balanced approach can deliver a uniform program that is both visually impactful and highly practical.