(单词翻译:单击)
Wright said he strives to strike the right balance between domestic and worldwide commitments. This was put to the test in 2015 when the company accidentally double-booked an important international exposition in Abu Dhabi with a royal visit to the Haworth factory. Wright had to fly from Manchester to the United Arab Emirates and back again within 30 hours – sleeping on planes each night to ensure he greeted Princess Anne, but also could manage the trade exhibition.
怀特表示,他希望在本土和海外业务之间寻找一种平衡。这一计划在2015年面临考验,该公司当时有两场重要活动恰好在同时举行:一个是在阿布扎比(Abu Dhabi)举行的重要国际贸易展,另外一个则是在哈沃斯(Haworth)工厂迎接英国皇室的访问。怀特不得不从曼彻斯特飞到阿联酋,然后在30小时内再飞回来——他每晚只能在飞机上睡觉,只有这样才能既不耽误参加贸易展,又能以饱满的精神迎接安妮公主。
Despite Wyedean’s focus on international clients, the MoD remains crucial. This once-reliable income stream may soon narrow, though, as defence spending diminishes. “Naturally the market to expand is foreign businesss – that is our target,” Wright said.
尽管威迪恩的重点是国际客户,但英国国防部对该公司仍然至关重要。然而,随着国防开支的削减,这个曾经十分可靠的收入来源可能很快就会收缩。“市场自然会向海外扩张——这是我们的目标。”怀特说。
In particular, the firm is looking to the Gulf states, where they say that gold garments and British products are held in high esteem – hence the double-booked Abu Dhabi exhibition.
该公司正在瞄准海湾国家,在那里,黄金服饰和英国产品都颇受推崇——正因如此,他才参加了阿布扎比的国际贸易展。
During the same exhibition, where a wide range of military hardware was on display – from underwater pistols to multi-million-pound Apache aircraft – Wyedean found themselves nestled in among the big guns. Even so, the company managed to strike a deal with the Saudi Arabian National Guard.
在同一个展会上还展出了各种军事设备——从水下手枪到数百万磅重的阿帕奇飞机——威迪恩发现他们的产品摆放在各种武器中间。即便如此,该公司还是与沙特阿拉伯国民警卫队签订了协议。
From military uniforms to MJ
从军装到MJ
As their customer base is shifting, so are their products. In particular, Wyedean’s braids, ribbons and sashes that used to serve armies now adorn actors. Theatrical and film costumiers look to outlets like Wyedean to add authenticity and realism; the company has helped with costuming for films including Saving Private Ryan, Lord of the Rings, The Last Samurai and Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark. Despite providing less than 2% of annual turnover, the Hollywood connections, Wright says, add interest to the firm.
随着客户类型的转变,该公司的产品也发生了变化。具体而言,原本专供军队的威迪恩饰带、勋带、肩带如今也成为了娱乐明星的装饰品。戏剧和电影服装供应商也开始向威迪恩这样的企业采购产品,以便增强演出的真实性;该公司还为《拯救大兵瑞恩》、《指环王》、《最后的武士》和《夺宝奇兵》等电影提供过演出服。尽管在年营收中的占比不到2%,但怀特表示,与好莱坞的关系的确加强了该公司的吸引力。
Michael Jackson was another icon Wyedean added to their list of celebrity recipients. The star’s tailor purchased a military tunic from Wyedean that Jackson liked, but the singer wanted to personalise it. There was one particularly novel addition: “The tailor who made the finished item revealed that they put air-conditioning inside of it, a little refrigeration unit to keep him cool,” said Wright.
迈克尔•杰克逊(Michael Jackson)是该公司的一个重要明星客户。这位摇滚天王的服装师从威迪恩那里为其购买了一件束腰紧身军装,并深受杰克逊的喜爱。不过,杰克逊还是希望对这件军装进行个性化改造。其中有一项颇具创意的附加物:“服装师在成品中加入了空调,通过一台小型冷却装置让他保持清凉。”怀特说。
Wyedean may have faced challenges and conflicts during its 150-year history. But as long as wars are fought and films are made, it seems the brand will continue to adorn kings and queens, armies and dictators – and even the occasional celebrity.
威迪恩可能在150年的历史上经历过挑战和冲突,但只要战争在继续,电影在拍摄,这个品牌就会继续为国王、王后、军队、独裁者提供服装——偶尔也会有一些娱乐明星成为他们的客户。