Skift Take
Uniform design received extra attention this week when Asiana flight attendants were heralded as heroes for evacuating flight 214 in pencil skirts and heels, giving the public a rare view into the degree of detail that goes into airlines' operations.
Virgin Atlantic is taking its new uniforms for a test run with the redesigned red jackets starting to pop up in Clubhouses and onboard planes this week.
Spotting the new uniform in person will be tough with only 180 staff members chosen to test the comfort and practicality of the designs and fabric. Feedback will inform the adjustments to be made before the line’s full launch in 2014.
U.K. designer Vivienne Westwood was hired to create the new collection and her past designs are peeking through in the new uniforms. For example, the stewardesses’ iconic red “Bettina Jackets” were inspired by Westwood’s spring collection from 1995.
Approximately 7,500 people working as cabin crew, pilots, lounge staff, and Virgin Holidays employees will be outfitted in the new designs next year; however, they’ll have to go through a five and a half week training course before receiving the new threads.
Look through the slideshow above for a sneak peak at Virgin’s new punk-inspired uniforms.
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Tags: design, uniforms, virgin atlantic
Photo credit: Flyers get a sneak peak at Virgin Atlantic's new uniforms as the designs undergo wearer trials, starting on July 12. Screenshot / Virgin Atlantic