The International SPA Association (ISPA) announced Noel Asmar Group as this year’s overall winner for the ISPA Innovation of the Year award. Their athleisure uniforms that use recycled fabric made from repurposed plastic bottles received the most votes by ISPA members.
With 17 years’ experience designing clothing, Noel Asmar Group learned it was possible to make their trademark high-quality, functional garments from recycled plastic. Instead of ending up in landfills, recycled bottles are given a new, sustainable life where they are crushed, pelleted, and spun into fabric. Noel Asmar Group then chose a sustainable biodegradable ChitoSanté treatment for their fabric, which naturally offers an anti-bacterial element that is both odor resistant and moisture wicking, and provides powerful UPF 50 sun protection.
“It is truly an honor to receive the 2019 International SPA Association Innovate of the Year Award at a time when sustainability and planet health is at the forefront of every global news outlet,” said Noel Asmar, founder and creative director of Noel Asmar Group. “Thank you to ISPA for recognizing innovation. The Noel Asmar sustainable uniform collection is simply the beginning – once this journey began, we quickly discovered just how much more must be done and we are proud to be launching a major sustainability initiative this fall.”
The ISPA Innovate Awards are designed to recognize members who lead the way with pioneering initiatives that advance the spa industry.
“ISPA is proud to recognize Noel Asmar Group as this year’s Innovation of the Year award winner for their forward-thinking approach to design and sustainability,” said ISPA President Lynne McNees. “Each of the innovative ideas that were submitted are a testament to the commitment and passion our spa leaders bring to the industry and we are excited to see what ideas these inspire others to achieve.”
After applications were received for the ISPA Innovate Award, ISPA members voted for their favorite innovations, which were recognized onstage at Friday’s General Session taking place during the 2019 ISPA Conference & Expo. A full list of ISPA Innovate Award Winners can be found on experienceispa.com.