Virgin Atlantic unveils Vivienne Westwood uniforms
British designer Vivienne Westwood has officially unveiled her much-anticipated "red hot" uniform collection for Virgin Atlantic.
The designer joined Sir Richard Branson and Blondie at a launch event, with a red carpet (of course).
Virgin’s announcement said Westwood has redesigned the iconic cabin crew look with an "elegant, and feminine red jacket inspired by the "Bettina" jacket designed in the early 90’s with a matching red pencil skirt with a cheeky dart to the rear".
"The hand drawn wing designs are a recurring theme across all members of the team while a new addition of bags for ground staff has also been introduced by the Ethical Fashion Initiative in Nairobi in collaboration with the International Trade Centre, United Nations," it added.
With sustainability in mind, the polyester yarn is made from recycled plastic bottles with a nano finish to extend the garments life and retain colour.
"Vivienne Westwood’s design references her enduring interest in 40s French couture cutting, with a double breasted ‘drape coat’ for women, and updating the classic red shoe with Westwood’s iconic hourglass heel," Virgin’s announcement continued.
"Male crew will be provided with a sharp Saville Row inspired three piece suit with a contemporary twist in a deep burgundy Oxford weave wool."
Over 7,500 staff including cabin crew, pilots, Clubhouse staff and Virgin Holidays employees, will receive the new uniform consisting of 22 pieces in total which has been trialled across airports and on board over the past year.
They will start wearing them from September 1.
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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