NMBS/SNCB chooses UDC for new uniforms

Do you ever take the train? The NMBS/SNCB train conductors and station staff will soon be welcoming you in style in a trendy new uniform.

The staff of the national railway company were allowed to vote electronically to choose among three designs. An overwhelming majority chose the uniform by UDC, a modern design created by the leading Belgian designer Olivier Strelli. If the wearing trials are successful and no major adjustments are needed, UDC will deliver the new uniforms next year for all train conductors, sales personnel, platform stationmasters and reception staff in the stations, for a total of 5,000 employees.

An overwhelming majority of the NMBS/SNCB staff chose a new uniform from UDC. Star designer Olivier Strelli added colourful accents and snappy accessories.

"Destination Better"
The new uniforms are a perfect match for the new house style that the NMBS/SNCB launched at the beginning of this month at the Bozar centre for fine arts in Brussels. 'Destination Better' is the baseline.

Olivier Strelli had previously designed uniforms for Sabena. Still it remains unique for an organisation on the scale of the NMBS/SNCB to choose a design by a leading designer. Colour magician Olivier Strelli gave the NMBS/SNCB-uniform colourful accents and original accessories, featuring colours such as orange that contrast brightly against a contemporary grey.

Ivo de Bisschop from UDC is a happy man: "Traditional uniforms are increasingly being replaced by trend conscious "corporate fashion". More and more organisations are following the latest trends in sportswear for their corporate fashion. Their corporate fashion is an important way to communicate their organisation's image."

UDC Corporate Fashion has a licensing contract with Olivier Strelli and also provides the professional clothing for other large organisations such as De Lijn, TEC and the Belgian Lower House.