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Air New Zealand Dissed for 'Drag Queen' Uniforms

by Erin Donnelly (Subscribe to Erin Donnelly's posts)
Posted Jan 12th 2010 at 1:25PM  
29 Comments
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New Zealand Airline Crew Uniform

The new and very "Austin Powers" flight attendant uniform

Talk about some style turbulence!

Air New Zealand's proposed new staff uniforms -- designed by Trelise Cooper -- have got Kiwis reaching for their barf bags, the Sydney Morning Herald reports.

Why? Because the vibrant pink and black Lilly Pulitzer-esque uniforms -- set to debut in 2011 -- reportedly made "flight attendants look like drag queens," according to one disgruntled employee.

(Seriously? We are so booking a flight to Wellington next year.)

Cooper's designs, which were chosen over the works of 25 other designers, are said to be inspired by New Zealand themes, according to the paper.

"We have also been working closely with Trelise to ensure the uniform color palette works in harmony with our soon-to-be-unveiled new aircraft interiors," airline spokesman Ed Sims said of the "contemporary" uniforms.

The airline has also reportedly claimed that the uniforms were designed for a "variety of body shapes and work requirements," the angry flight attendant has claimed that the busy pattern is unflattering for large body types, and that the pink hue would show food and drink stains.

"I haven't worn that color since I was five," she complained to the source.

"I know airlines find differentiation very important today, but I've some doubts on whether pink conveys any national values," seconded Lucire magazine publisher Jack Yan.

Ah well -- every party has a pooper!

The new male cabin crew uniforms -- which include a jaunty scarf -- have been deemed "dapper," while female ground staff will wear a fairly tame black trouser suit, the paper reports.

This isn't the first time Air New Zealand has been criticized for its uniforms. The current uniform was reportedly dissed as having a "Thunderbirds" style when it launched in 2005.

Surely there's a "Flight of the Conchords" song in all this?

Meanwhile, check out Christian Lacroix's uniforms for a French railway.

Read All Comments
Filed under: Fashion, News
Tags: air new zealand, dresses, Flight attendant Uniforms, flight attendants, jack yan, trelise cooper, uniforms
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READER COMMENTS

(29)Add A Comment

Newblogger, 1-19-2010, 12:31PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Newblogger

OMG!!! ROFLMAO!!!!!! If the females must wear this I do hope the male counterparts have the same option. Or at least a matching shirt and socks!!!!

Reply »

Newblogger, 1-19-2010, 12:32PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Newblogger

Not flying that airline!

Reply »

Grimmy, 1-19-2010, 12:38PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Grimmy

This reminds me of grandma's old 60s era house dresses, It's revoltingly ugly and looks very unprofessional. I'd prefer flight attendants to wear muted or soothing colors, and be no-fuss, clean lines, classic design, and easy to move in, since they will actually be saving lives in case of a crash..

Reply »

Lee, 1-19-2010, 1:09PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Lee

And THIS is how they spend our fare money? Look. I don't care what the flight attendants are wearing. They'll be the ones in the aisles with the carts. Bring back logic to air travel and maybe there won't be so much tension between passengers and the airline personnel. What peabrain sat there and thought Hmmmm, let's charge passengers if they want to bring luggage, and, oh yeah a few million on changing uniforms makes sense too. I say bring criminal charges against 'execs' who waste money this way.

Reply »

mjr15, 1-19-2010, 1:07PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
mjr15

isn't that comment offensive to drag queens?

Reply »

Squiggles, 1-19-2010, 1:11PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Squiggles

Who hired the designer? That's a lot of money wasted right there. As a passenger I'd be afraid to get motion sickness while looking at those uniforms. Besides, they look nothing anyone would even call a uniform, but more like a cheap hair salon's robe. Just HOW are they supposed to work for people with different body shapes? Really, they should have given a bit more thought to designing the new uniforms. Why not design something in a kiwi color? It would hide stains, and most people can wear green. Also, female flight attendants should have the option of wearing trousers with their blouse.
The article says the new uniforms were designed with the new cabin design in mind. If the uniforms are in line with the cabin design, I can anly imagine how that will look like! Keep the barf bags handy!

Reply »

bunny, 1-19-2010, 4:36PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
bunny

Talk about "over-the-top-reactions"....... & making a "mountain-out-of-a-molehill"........

I don't care for the uniform, but I don't think this is a "Drag Queen" outfit. There was an Australian film [Priscilla, Queen of the Desert] that showcased some amazing costumes. I suggest viewing it BEFORE calling this uniform a "Drag Queen" outfit!!!

I think the employee who complained about the uniform had other issues......

While I am not crazy about the design and color of this uniform, if I was LUCKY enough to have a job as a flight attendant, I would happily wear it!!!

BTW, I choose to fly on an airline by routing schedules and ticket prices, NOT what the flight attendants wear!!!

Reply »

Ex staff, 1-26-2010, 7:17PM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Ex staff

Well having worn the last 2 uniforms, this one is amazingly different. Innovative, stylish and yes it does drum up images of "mardi gras" "gay icons" etc but welcome to the modern world. I hated wearing the last (current) uniform and dreaded to go into it and I am a size 16! This one I give a thumbs up and good on you Trelise. Perhaps a slip to wear during crew rest could be a frilly ensemble! Love it and the ground staff will look great too! (No I havnt forgotten about the staff who work in the tropics and the Islands etc, it will be fantastic and mix n match will be ideal). Cant wait for the Big Reveal!

Reply »

Bev Dibble, 8-04-2010, 4:48AM

2 stars vote downvote upReport
Bev Dibble

So because they are designed by a "designer" that makes them perfect? I am half afraid this is part of the problem. Do the people who commission Trelise Cooper or any other designer fell obliged to say "wow we love it"
instead of telling the truth. Why not throw it open to Polytech design students? The year they designed for the Olympic uniform was a triumph and made us all proud!

Reply »

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