America’s Best Cleaners may not be up on the catwalk, but chances are they’re cleaning up after the runway. Why high-end designers and manufacturers are warming up to certified “couture cleaners.”
In the fall of 2006, high-end men’s designer Jhane Barnes released a line of suits along with the rest of her high-quality apparel. There was, however, a point of distinction – inside of each care label read the statement: “We suggest a dry cleaner certified by America’s Best Cleaners” along with the web site name, www.americasbestcleaners.com.
From an industry often loath to acknowledge the mere existence of dry cleaners, it is almost unthinkable to see such a strong manufacturer’s recommendation. Yet Jhane Barnes Menswear “feels that because we use the finest fabrics coupled with the best type of construction and trim in the manufacture of their suits, it is important that the care of quality-conscious dry cleaners be employed.” Jhane Barnes gravitated to America’s Best Cleaners (ABC) based on its independent, exacting and extremely critical Quality Management Certification, the most stringent in the industry, and backed by the world’s foremost garment laboratory in the world, the Hohenstein Institutes of Bonneigham, Germany.
America’s Best Cleaners has worked with other such designers and manufacturers, from established lines like Willy Bogner Outerwear and Ike Behar, whose sales force has been instructed to refer their clients to one of America’s Best Cleaners, to hot new leather jacket company Kaptain Bubble, from testing garments to garment care advice. Fabric specialists from Brooks Brothers have attended meetings and seminars on new environmentally safe methods of cleaning.
Most recently, representatives from certified affiliates, including Angel and Maria Suarez of local affiliate Rey’s Cleaners, took an 11-day tour of several Italian factories and mills, where lines and textiles for such names as Zegna, Agnona, Canali, Brioni, and Corneliani are constructed, in order to better familiarize themselves with the complexities and ingenuities of quality garments and fabrics. The union of the garment industry and garment care industry is unique: Maddalena Di Giovacchino of Brioni said that this was the largest group ever to tour their facility, which opened in the early 1960’s, let alone of dry cleaners.
For certified affiliates, such continual education has been instrumental in elevating their already award-winning status. Suarez described it this way: “Working as we do with the top fashion houses in Miami, many of which are from Italian firms, experiences like this trip only add to our reputation as the most respected couture dry cleaner in the city. We can go into these boutiques, and we can talk the same language.” Rey’s was recently re-selected as a Couture Care Specialist in early 2007, and currently works with most of the top boutiques at high-end centers Bal Harbour and Merrick Park.
The Quality Management Certification (QMC) is the most independent, objective and respected certification in the dry cleaning industry. It is a joint effort of ABC and the prestigious Hohenstein Institutes of Bonneigham Germany. In March 2005, a delegation of ABC executives and affiliates traveled to Germany to visit the institutes. The reach of the Hohenstein was quickly realized, as the delegation was given subsequent access to Hugo Boss and Willy Bogner corporate headquarters. While touring the research labs of Hohenstein, the current RAL RG990 certification was introduced and discussed as the model for future development of the QMC and a long term relationship with Hohenstein.
In October 2005 Christopher White Technical Director of ABC traveled to Hohenstein for certification and to finalize the endorsement of the ABC Quality Management Certification, of which the RAL RG 990 certification is central. This certification includes: weekly self-monitoring and recording, monthly solvent testing to monitor the consistency and quality of the cleaning process, annual site inspections, 31 Individual Finishing Quality Control inspection points on six core garment types, and Final Quality Control verification. Failure to meet QMC requirements will result in the denial of prospective affiliates and the termination of recognition for current affiliates.
At their recent quarterly meeting hosted by Sacramento affiliate Rytina Fine Cleaners & Launderers, Christopher White presented an in-depth review of the ABC/Hohenstein joint certification program. Affiliates were shown comparisons of their position within the affiliation, along with detailed breakdowns of critical testing points. “The affiliation is based on strict testing standards that are not found anywhere else in the industry,” explained White. He continued, “The data accumulated through the weekly, monthly, and annual site inspections has become an extremely valuable component in assisting affiliates to maintain a high level of quality throughout their businesses”.
Several components to be implemented for 2007 were presented to the affiliates and have been adopted with the aid and approval of several high-level designers and manufacturers of designer brand apparel. “This is an exciting time to be in the dry cleaning industry,” said Ed D’Elicio, founder and executive director. “By raising the standards of excellence, we’ve created a level of trust with a garment industry that traditionally has been at odds with us. We now have a presence at fashion shows and retail exhibitions, and the feedback from our fashion alliances has been amazing.”