Latest news with #TheCelticCollection
Otago Daily Times
a day ago
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Sustainable fashion movement gains momentum
A local collaborative has caught the interest of philanthropists across the country who are dropping tens of thousands of dollars in the name of sustainable fashion. Wānaka Precious Collaborative sold two designer coats for a total of $30,000 and are now getting more calls from generous individuals looking to support the company's ethos. The brand was started by local Claire O'Connell as a way of creating clothing sourced from sustainable materials and sold at an affordable price. In May, the company launched its first line, The Celtic Collection which comprised shirts, pants, a skirt and a pinafore, all made with natural hemp and wool materials. Each item comes with a "true price", reflecting the cost of making and selling the garments and a "gift price", which is the cost subsidised through the sale of the coats. Ms O'Connell hosted an auction towards the end of last year to sell two coats made by Auckland-based designer Liz Mitchell, which would then subsidise Ms O'Connell's line. One of the coats was sold during the auction for $10,000 and, more recently, the second one brought in twice the amount for the collaborative, something that came as a pleasant and emotional surprise for Ms O'Connell. The woman who bought the coat said it was never about simply buying an item of clothing but about supporting a cause that meant something to her. The Wellington-based philanthropist requested to remain anonymous, saying her partner and herself wanted to ensure the spotlight was on the causes they supported instead of themselves. "We do all of our giving anonymously," she said. " ... It's the organisations that deserve the limelight, not us." After seeing the Precious Collaborative's unique model reported on in several news outlets, the philanthropist connected with the cause and decided to get in touch with Ms O'Connell and make a generous offer for the coat. She made it clear it was never about the coat but about supporting an innovative solution to fast fashion. Dressing sustainably was a value close to her heart, having grown up with hand-me-down clothes from friends and family so as to reduce waste and appreciate clothing. "We were not wealthy," she said. "I certainly did not go without but the whole idea was that you looked after what you had, and you made sure that you could pass that on." She said her purchase was about supporting the values of a business that aligned with her own beliefs and experiences. Ms O'Connell said they had interest for two more coats designed by Liz Mitchell which would go further in sustaining their business model. She was not only happy to see that there was interest in the coats but also to witness so many around the country share her vision for more affordable, quality clothes. — Allied Media
Business News Wales
01-08-2025
- Business
- Business News Wales
ICC Wales and the Celtic Collection Shortlisted for MiaList Awards
ICC Wales and venues from The Celtic Collection have been shortlisted in the prestigious miaList 2025 awards. ICC Wales is celebrating double recognition, having been shortlisted for both Venue of the Year (over 300 delegates) and the Event and Operations Team of the Year. Celtic Manor Resort is also shortlisted in the Venue of the Year (over 300 delegates) category, and The Parkgate Hotel in Cardiff is a finalist for Venue of the Year (under 300 delegates). Now in its 14th year, the miaList – organised by the Meetings Industry Association – recognises the UK's most inspiring and impactful venues, teams, and individuals within the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) sector. Julie Hammond, Group Chief Executive Officer of The Celtic Collection and ICC Wales, said: 'It's fantastic to see ICC Wales and two of our hotels recognised by the miaList. These shortlistings are a credit to the dedication, professionalism and passion of our teams, who consistently go the extra mile to deliver exceptional experiences for our clients and delegates. This recognition reinforces Wales' growing reputation as a world-class destination for business events as they follow hot on the heels of our three nominations for the Meetings & Incentive Travel Awards.' The winners of the miaList 2025 will be announced at a ceremony on 6th November at The Belfry Hotel & Resort.
South Wales Argus
18-06-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Celtic Manor Resort and ICC Wales up for M&IT Awards 2025
The flagship venues have been recognised in the best UK Hotel, and best UK Conference Centre categories, with The Celtic Collection in the Best Hotel Brand category at the awards, which are voted for by professionals across the meetings, incentives, conferences, and events (MICE) industry. The Celtic Manor Resort, known for its luxury and top-tier event spaces, is in the running for the best UK hotel category, an accolade it has won 10 times before. ICC Wales is again recognised as one of the country's leading conference centres, having won silver in this category for the past two years. The Celtic Collection brand is also up for best hotel brand, competing against major international groups, despite its smaller size. Julie Hammond, group chief executive officer of the Celtic Collection and ICC Wales, said: "We're incredibly proud to see our venues and team recognised once again by our peers and clients in the industry. "These nominations reflect our ongoing commitment to delivering exceptional experiences for event organisers and guests alike." The M&IT Awards ceremony, where the winners will be announced, will take place in London on September 19.
Business News Wales
16-06-2025
- Business
- Business News Wales
The Celtic Collection and ICC Wales Celebrate Triple Shortlisting at Awards
The Celtic Collection and ICC Wales have been shortlisted in three prestigious categories at the 2025 M&IT Awards. Widely regarded as the Oscars of the business meetings and events industry, the group's flagship venues and brand have been selected as finalists in the following categories: Best Hotel Brand – The Celtic Collection Best UK Hotel – Celtic Manor Resort Best UK Conference Centre – ICC Wales The awards are voted for by professionals across the meetings, incentives, conferences and events (MICE) industry, making them a trusted indicator of quality and service excellence. The Celtic Manor Resort has been recognised in the Best UK Hotel category, an accolade it has secured 10 times previously. ICC Wales has once again earned a spot among the country's top conference centres, having secured the Silver Award in this category for the last two years. The wider Celtic Collection brand, which includes a portfolio of experience-led hotels and venues across Wales and beyond, is also in the spotlight, shortlisted for Best Hotel Brand against much larger international groups including Four Seasons, Hilton, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Marriott International, and Melia Hotels. Julie Hammond, Group Chief Executive Officer of The Celtic Collection and ICC Wales, said: 'We're incredibly proud to see our venues and team recognised once again by our peers and clients in the industry. These nominations reflect our ongoing commitment to delivering exceptional experiences for event organisers and guests alike. We're grateful to everyone who voted for us, and we're excited to celebrate with the best in the industry at the M&IT Awards later this year.' The winners will be announced at the M&IT Awards ceremony taking place in London on 19 September, where hundreds of professionals from across the UK and international events industry will come together to celebrate the sector's top achievers.
Western Telegraph
07-06-2025
- Business
- Western Telegraph
Milford Haven hotel recognised as one of the best in Wales
Tŷ Hotel Milford Waterfront, part of The Celtic Collection, has achieved Level 4 of the UKAS-accredited Green Dragon Environmental Standard, making it one of the first hotels in Wales to do so. The Green Dragon accreditation, owned and accredited by Groundwork Wales, recognises businesses for their commitment to environmental management and sustainable practices. Katy Stevenson, chief executive of Groundwork Wales, said: "We are delighted to have worked with the Celtic Collection and ICC Wales for a number of years, accrediting their venues through the Green Dragon Environmental Standard and now uplifting to Level 4. "This demonstrates consistent improvement and progress across a large and complex business." The award-winning hotel, which was named Hotel of the Year at the South West Wales Tourism Awards in 2024, is one of seven Celtic Collection properties to receive the Level 4 accreditation. The Celtic Collection includes the flagship Celtic Manor Resort in Newport and has more than 30 years of sustainable business practice. The group has committed to achieving net zero by 2050. Fitzroy Hutchinson, energy and environment manager at The Celtic Collection, said: "We are committed to making sustainability part of our everyday. "Having held the Green Dragon Environmental Standard at Level 3 at the Celtic Manor Resort for 20 years, we are delighted that our efforts to reduce our carbon footprint and our environmental impact have resulted in us achieving Level 4 across The Celtic Collection and ICC Wales. "We have made significant investment in our facilities to minimise our energy and water consumption, reduce our waste and raise our recycling levels but perhaps the most pleasing aspect of Level 4 recognition is that it reflects the enthusiastic participation of our team. "More than 1,300 people have been trained to recognise and enhance our sustainability practices and we have proactive working groups in all properties and across every department. "This engagement has been instrumental in reaching the Level 4 standard." All Celtic Collection properties source 100 per cent of their electricity from REGO-backed renewable supplies, send zero waste to landfill, and recycle food waste into renewable energy. Waste oil is also converted into biodiesel. In 2024, the group opened Tŷ Hotel Newport, Wales' first all-electric large hotel. At Celtic Manor Resort, sustainability efforts include planting 5,000 trees, installing 120 bird boxes, and introducing four beehives housing 150,000 honeybees. ICC Wales, also part of the collection, champions sustainability through eliminating single-use plastics, using locally sourced produce, and maintaining Green Meetings Certified status.
