Fashion in the air

Did you check out the latest airport look in India?

Well, for some celebrities, its a very important question. The reason is very clear – Airports have always been the most sophisticated public place. Its huge, its updated, its secured & its all about the experience. Everyday, one can spot paparazzi at the airport waiting for a fashionova to shine.

Today, as we speak about airport looks of celebrities, how many of us do remember the fashionovas in the sky. We obviously mean the crew members of the various airlines – who spend hours in the flight looking after the comfort of their passenger guests. Its noteworthy that these crew members make the most shining brand ambassadors of the airlines. They are infact the perfect embodiment of the airlines values and culture.

Fashion in the airline industry is not a new concept. Airlines have been betting on it for years to create a distinct identity and attract flyers. The first ever uniform designed for any commercial airline crew dates back to the year 1922 by the British carrier Instone Airline. 

Since then, many designers took up the challenge of deigning the uniforms of various airlines included names like Adolfo, Cristóbal Balenciaga, Pierre Balmain, Bill Blass, Pierre Cardin, Oleg Cassini, André Courrèges, Christian Dior, Halston, Edith Head, Stan Herman, Macario Jimén, Vivienne Westwood, Ozwald Boateng & Simon Jersey.

When Air India introduced its trademark sari for air hostesses in the 1960s, it was a way to advertise India as an exotic destination. The perfectly pleated sari became a sort of symbol for the East, projecting a well-groomed and hospitable image of India to global travellers. Fashion Designer Ritu Beri redesigned the Air India uniforms in 2007.

Indeed, the ensembles of each of these airlines clearly speak to the appeal of the brand. While SpiceJet pops in reds & blacks for a bold and vivacious feel, the cool and professional chic of Indigo comes alive in shades of blue. The global sophistication of Vistara finds expression in purple and gold, a palette that seeks to set it apart from low-cost carriers. Amidst these, Akasa is looking to create its space in the skies with the warmth and glow of orange.

The Akasa Air uniforms created by Delhi-based fashion designer Rajesh Pratap Singh, the look essays comfort and originality with a bandhgala-style jacket reimagined in a futuristic avatar. The crew sports cushioned black and white sneakers with orange laces, designed by Vanilla Moon. It’s a rare sighting in airline uniforms and one that is believed to be speaking directly to the brand’s ethos – easy, playful, and fun. Akasa is also highlighting its focus on sustainability through the outfits.

Internationally, In some cases, airline fashion has even been elevated to cult status – like the famous ‘Singapore Girl’. Singapore Airlines’ sarong kebaya outfit for female flight attendants was designed by haute couturier Pierre Balmain back in 1968. The timeless attire made with Asian batik print has stayed the same ever since – including the patterns and fabric. What’s more, each piece is tailor-made for the specific crew member, a tradition that has been alive for over 50 years. The ‘Singapore Girl’ is even immortalised at Madame Tussauds.

This synergy between cockpit and couture has always flown high. From the glamorous makeover of Virgin Atlantic by Dame Vivienne Westwood in 2014 to Air France’s longstanding collaborations with French designers, including Balenciaga, Dior and most recently Christian Lacroix. And it’s an interesting playground for designers.

Obviously, we can see the sky is not the limit for our Indian designers and they will keep spreading fashion in the air.