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New Delhi: In September 2023, it came to the fore that Air India had made the collaboration with the popular Indian fashion designer, Manish Malhotra, to design the next iteration of the uniforms for their frontline staff. Today, Air India has unveiled the looks of those uniforms.
Today, Air India, India’s leading global airline, unveiled its brand-new collection of cabin and cockpit crew uniforms, paying homage to the airline’s esteemed history while signifying a bright and promising future. The new uniforms will be introduced in phases over the next few months, starting with the entry of Air India’s first Airbus A350 into service.
Manish’s take on modern Indian style complements and showcase three iconic Indian hues: red, aubergine, and gold.
Contrary to earlier reports that the Air India saree would be discontinued, the female cabin crew attire includes a ready-to-wear ombre saree with intricate patterns reminiscent of Indian heritage architecture (jharokha) and vistas (the new Air India logo icon). Casual blouses and blazers. Ready-to-wear sarees can alternatively be worn with casual pants, providing female cabin crew more flexibility to choose the style they most identify with and a unique East-meets-West look.
The ombré sarees for the senior female cabin crew will be aubergine-to-burgundy, combined with aubergine blazers, exuding a balance of authority and sophistication. Conversely, the junior female cabin crew will wear vibrant red-to-purple ombré sarees combined with red blazers, embodying youthfulness and energy.
The technique of ombre is Malhotra’s creation, reflecting his deep love for traditional attire and gradients. The color palette of the new uniforms includes deep red, burgundy, aubergine and gold accents, paying homage to India’s rich cultural heritage.
The male cabin crews will get a bandh gala, with different colours indicating their seniority, although Air India did not indicate which colour indicates the junior/senior nature of the male cabin crews.
The well-fitting male and female cabin crew uniform is practical and suitable for performing in-flight duties with ease of movement. The designs of the new uniforms were developed in close consultation with Air India’s cabin crew representatives and the airline’s in-flight services team, who also conducted extensive testing exercises for the new designs.
In a post on X (Formerly Twitter), Air India said “Introducing our new Pilot & Cabin crew uniforms, an ode to Air India’s rich history and a promise of a bright future. These uniforms, envisioned by India’s leading couturier @ManishMalhotra, features three quintessential Indian colours – red, aubergine and gold, representing the confident, vibrant new India.
Introducing our new Pilot & Cabin crew uniforms, an ode to Air India’s rich history and a promise of a bright future.
These uniforms, envisioned by India’s leading couturier @ManishMalhotra, features three quintessential Indian colours – red, aubergine and gold, representing the… pic.twitter.com/Pt1YBdJlMN
— Air India (@airindia) December 12, 2023
Due to a decision by JRD Tata the airline started using sarees instead of skirts, jackets and caps in 1962. During that time, women working as crew members felt proud of their sari uniform and were trained on how to wear it properly.
Founded as Tata Airlines in 1932 by Jehangir Ratanji Dadabhoy Tata in collaboration with former Royal Air Force pilot Mr. Neville Vincent, Air India has a remarkable history. In the 1960s, the airline became a pioneer in the industry by choosing to dress air hostesses in silk sarees. The move was aimed at positioning the company as a symbol of Indian values across the world.
Manish Malhotra has also designed uniforms for Air India’s ground staff, engineers, and security personnel. They are yet to be unveiled.
