Fashion’s high flyers: eight most stylish airline uniforms
We look at the most stylish uniforms, from Laurence Xu’s new looks for Hainan Airlines to Vivienne Westwood’s Virgin Atlantic attire and Pierre Balmain’s ‘Singapore girl’
Flight attendants’ uniforms have evolved dramatically over the years. While some crews get to wear fashionable uniforms created by household names that enhance their professional image, the carriers often try to send out multiple messages. Some embody the spirit of the company or the nationality of the carrier, while others are simply responding to the business strategy.
Featuring traditional Chinese motifs such as, clouds, waves and the roc – a mythical bird, the design draws inspiration from the cheongsam, which women usually wear on formal occasions. The apron is designed as a tulip-shaped dress to emphasis elegance, femininity, looks and practicality.
To tie in with the carrier’s vision of becoming a global carrier, Xu has added some foreign touches. The designer “combined elements of classical, time-honoured oriental aesthetics and the silhouette of a modern Western suit, infusing new vigour and fashion into the attire,” the airline says.
Xu’s work is not the only one to impress us. There is a host of beautiful uniforms crafted by designers, from Vivienne Westwood to Christian Lacroix, and Pierre Balmain to Gianfranco Ferré.
Etihad Airways – by Ettore Bilotta
