Tony Powers (Senior Visitor Services Manager Tate Britain – retired) describing the Tate Modern project.
I first got to know Jeanette just prior to the opening of Tate Modern and the new galleries and entrance of Tate Britain in 2000. Paul Smith who was a friend of our director Sir Nicholas Serota; offered his companies’ resources to help in designing a new staff uniform. I had recently been made Senior Visitor Services Manager at Tate Britain; previously I had been Head Warder. I had some experience in procuring uniforms and was asked to coordinate the process, working with two designers from Paul Smith. The company Jeanette worked for was one of those approached to help with the design and to supply uniform. When we met Jeanette and her team we were impressed from the start. Jeanette’s knowledge and understanding of supplying corporatewear was bottomless. The fact that we managed to have the uniform ready for the opening of Tate Modern was largely down to Jeanette. Dealing with what seemed like endless meetings and presentations. Making adjustments to the designs, adding new items are just a fraction of what was needed to get the uniform ready. Jeanette was never phased and just knew what to do to keep the project on schedule. Jeanette is one of the most motivated, professional and capable people I have ever worked with. I highly recommend her to you.
A module range of uniform designed Paul Smith, to fit across all Tate art galleries within the UK; Tate Britain / Tate Modern/ St Ives and Liverpool. Wearers being predominately art gallery visitor assistants merging into cafe and restaurant staff.
The brief, co-ordinated with the Tate team and Paul Smith designers was to create samples and manufacture a range of interactive garments that were stylish and comfortable to wear as well as working in line with the Tate ethos and Paul Smith brands.
