Designers upset

Press, 23 July 1976, Page 1

Designers upset

Air New Zealand’s decision to ask Nina Ricci, of Paris, to design its new hostess uniforms, has upset New Zealand fashion designer and manufacturers, the Press Association reports. Four staff members of Air New Zealand modelled the uniform in Christchurch yesterday. A stewardess, Sue Nicholson (“Miss New Zealand,” 1974-1975). back, and a ground hostess, Phillipa Bunce (middle), are shown wearing the dress uniform. This. is a tailored knee-covering suit in linen-look wool for winter and terylene for summer. Pill-box hats and tie-neck blouses are worn with the suits. A stewardess, Christine Railey (right), is wearing the long skirt and top that hostesses will wear for dinner service. This is made of a geometric

border print designed by Nina Ricci. A flight steward, Ron Twine (left), is wearing the new men’s uniform of grey trousers and sky-blue jackets. The cabin crew’s uniforms are all in Pacific blue, to complement the interiors of the aircraft, and the ground crew’s uniforms are in a darker teal blue, the airline’s traditional colour. Miss Nicholson and Miss Bunce are wearing sunglasses designed by Nina Ricci. These are not yet available in New Zealand. but when they appear in the summer they will retail for $4O to $5O a pair. The industry was disappointed that the country’s national airline, which already spent a lot of money nromoting the New Zealand image, could not find a suitable design within New Zealand, the senior

executive officer of the Textile and Garment Manufacturers’ Federation (Mr Bruce Goldsworthy) said in a statement yesterday. There was ample evidence that New Zealanddesigned and manufactured fashions were up to world standard, and he found it incredible that Air New Zealand should rush to Paris, to one of the world’s most expensive designers, in apparent disregard of botn the country’s overseas exchange problems and design talent, Mr Goldsworthy said. “The Ne, Zealand industry regrets the decision, and can onlv hope that the company will accept the federation’s offer of assistance on any future occasion.” More than 1200 items, including shoes, handbags, hats, and ties, are needed to complete the change of uniform.