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18th May 2001, 13:04
from the Glasgow Herald:
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size="2">PLANS by British Airways to put its 30,000-plus staff in "sexy" new uniforms designed by the man who has dressed the likes of Madonna, Victoria Beckham and Liz Hurley have run into considerable turbulence.
Glamour designer of the year, Julien Macdonald, who has also come up with skimpy outfits for Nicole Kidman, Kylie Minogue, Joely Richardson and Goldie Hawn, says that air travel is a glamorous business and his aim was to create a BA uniform reflecting this, yet also practical.
"I want to make all BA staff feel smart and comfortable whether they are in Moscow or Mauritius", said the man whose designs have often hit the headlines for being daring, flesh-revealing, and barely-there.
"The girls will look very sexy and the men will look like strong heroes. They'll be the envy of all other airlines, in the uniforms which will have the Macdonald stamp, with a tight waist and a sharp silhouette.
"The main colour will be navy and I'll be using lots of stretch which helps define the body. They will be sexy, but they will be practical", he said.
However, a concerned spokesman for the main cabin crew union, the Transport and General Workers' Union, said that BA uniforms must be functional, smart and presentable.
"Our members should not be dressed as sex objects and should be consulted on changes to their uniforms," he said adding that cabin crew are "safety professionals" and should be treated as such.
The main objection was that with air-rage incidents and general harassment of crew already on the increase, nothing should be done to put crew in an even more vulnerable position. Quite apart from the safety aspect it is believed that the more mature crew members would be opposed to any move towards "sexy" uniforms.
Announcing that 28-year-old Macdonald soon would be "working his magic" to ensure "glamour is in the air", Martin George, BA marketing director, said: "Our uniform is one of the most powerful symbols of British Airways' brand, and it is important that it is worn with pride by our people on the ground and in the air.
"Julien's vision for our new uniform reinforces the airline's refreshed identity - classic, yet modern, stylish but practical - a quality brand which is recognisable around the world."
Welsh-born Macdonald, who was recently appointed artistic director of fashion house Givenchy, said he would be meeting as many staff as possible to listen to their views.
-May 17th</font>
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size="2">PLANS by British Airways to put its 30,000-plus staff in "sexy" new uniforms designed by the man who has dressed the likes of Madonna, Victoria Beckham and Liz Hurley have run into considerable turbulence.
Glamour designer of the year, Julien Macdonald, who has also come up with skimpy outfits for Nicole Kidman, Kylie Minogue, Joely Richardson and Goldie Hawn, says that air travel is a glamorous business and his aim was to create a BA uniform reflecting this, yet also practical.
"I want to make all BA staff feel smart and comfortable whether they are in Moscow or Mauritius", said the man whose designs have often hit the headlines for being daring, flesh-revealing, and barely-there.
"The girls will look very sexy and the men will look like strong heroes. They'll be the envy of all other airlines, in the uniforms which will have the Macdonald stamp, with a tight waist and a sharp silhouette.
"The main colour will be navy and I'll be using lots of stretch which helps define the body. They will be sexy, but they will be practical", he said.
However, a concerned spokesman for the main cabin crew union, the Transport and General Workers' Union, said that BA uniforms must be functional, smart and presentable.
"Our members should not be dressed as sex objects and should be consulted on changes to their uniforms," he said adding that cabin crew are "safety professionals" and should be treated as such.
The main objection was that with air-rage incidents and general harassment of crew already on the increase, nothing should be done to put crew in an even more vulnerable position. Quite apart from the safety aspect it is believed that the more mature crew members would be opposed to any move towards "sexy" uniforms.
Announcing that 28-year-old Macdonald soon would be "working his magic" to ensure "glamour is in the air", Martin George, BA marketing director, said: "Our uniform is one of the most powerful symbols of British Airways' brand, and it is important that it is worn with pride by our people on the ground and in the air.
"Julien's vision for our new uniform reinforces the airline's refreshed identity - classic, yet modern, stylish but practical - a quality brand which is recognisable around the world."
Welsh-born Macdonald, who was recently appointed artistic director of fashion house Givenchy, said he would be meeting as many staff as possible to listen to their views.
-May 17th</font>