Leading female chefs have worked with specialist British manufacturer Oliver Harvey to create the UK’s first totally bespoke range of female chef’s whites.
The groundbreaking portfolio of jackets, trousers and aprons have been launched after a five-year design and development programme collaborating with chefs and women working throughout the catering and hospitality industries.
User surveys, roundtable discussions, design workshops and wearer trials have fed into Oliver Harvey’s curated custom collection that delivers a true female fit and ensures utmost comfort and performance.
Rick Shonfeld, commercial director of the Dukinfield-based company, (pictured), said: “It was clear from round table discussions with our brilliant female chefs that the industry just hasn’t catered properly for women in the past.
“Aprons were too long and usually incorrectly shaped and fitted, chef jackets were uncomfortable, either being too tight or too baggy and chef trousers were incorrectly shaped and unflattering.
“The overarching complaint was that so many ‘female’ options were just simply reworks of male or unisex products. We passionately felt this had to change and set a goal to bring the first eco-friendly, fully customed-designed ladies’ chefswear range to the UK.”
The pandemic put the brakes on most of this work, but Oliver Harvey put together a team of designers, seamstresses and machinists to work with a group of female chef triallists with wide-ranging body shapes and professional roles.
Over two years the final range designs then went through rigorous inhouse testing and full wearer trials before this summer’s launch.
Triallists praised the flattering yet comfortable fit of the jackets and the lightweight, breathable fabric. The single and double breast designs incorporate female fit elements including side splits and shaped panelling. In addition, underarm Coolmax Mesh panels ensure ventilation to the body in even the most stifling of kitchen environments.
The range also includes stylish, comfortable chefs’ trousers, tailored aprons and bibs and Rick added: “These ladies’ specific garments have been years in the making and we are confident that the increasing numbers of incredibly talented women chefs finally have a range to call their own!”
