Air N.Z. launches new uniforms

Press, 13 March 1987, Page 13

Air N.Z. launches new uniforms

By

GERALDINE ROWE

PA Auckland Air Zealand has launched the Air New Zealand Collection, a range of “practical, comfortable, high fashion” apparel for the airline’s female cabin crew. The new uniform, which will be introduced in August, combines a total new look in design with the basic airline colours of teal and navy. It will replace the international and domestic uniforms which have been in use since 1976. More than 375 domestic and 445 international flight attendants will wear the new garments, the first time both domestic and international cabin crews have worn the same apparel. Air New Zealand’s general manager, Mr Norman Geary, said the new uniform had been “well researched, was practical and was the result of consultation with many people. "We believed we could improve on the cabin uni-

form, which had been very serviceable, using New Zealand expertise,” he told guests at the official launching in Auckland.

Although it was time for a uniform change it had not been the company’s intention to move away from the basic airline colours of teal and navy which were associated with Air New Zealand, he said.

Mr Geary said the New Zealand designer, Isabel Harris, of the Auckland fashion house, Thornton Hall, had created an exciting range of garments for all weathers and all situations. It was a uniform with lasting appeal which would still be fashionable in the years to come, he said.

Ms Harris said she had spent many months working in consultation with airline staff and cabin crew who would be wearing the uniform, to create the type of serviceable garments required. She said she had pro-

duced “fashionable, durable garments which would have lasting appeal.” She said she hoped Air New Zealand would be pleased with the result and was delighted the company had chosen a New Zealand designer. One of the advantages of the new collection was that it offered combinations using the basic airline colours of teal and navy with a new introduction, a patterned print with a subtle koru motif in random squares of navy and teal on a white background. Many practical considerations had to be taken into account. For example, the length of the skirts, mid-calf, was in Ms Harris’ opinion “fashionably correct.” The uniform would have to fit people of various sizes with different hair and skin colour and be as comfortable in Honolulu as in Invercargill.

The collection comprises a tailored, doublebreasted jacket made from a poly-wool fabric in

mid-tone teal with brass buttons and epaulettes. The epaulette theme is continued in other pieces of the uniform.

Teaming with the jacket is a pleat-front skirt which follows the same line. A poly-cotton overblouse featuring a new print design, and a tuck-in blouse both have a narrow, double breasted front and can be worn buttoned-up to the neck or open. For colder weather the collection includes a navy-blue knitted cardigan jacket and a navy blue coat made from poly-wool gaberdine with a pure wool liner. A flattop, navy blue felt hat with a 10cm brim complements the coat.

The collection also includes a working tabard, to be slipped on over skirt and blouse, and silk scarves, bags and shoes.

One cabin crew member said the collection was “very practical, comfortable, designed with every detail in mind, and still looks nice.”