Fashion

Vivienne Westwood To Design Sustainable Uniforms For Virgin Atlantic

by Ally Batista
Stocksy

Vivienne Westwood had certainly been in the spotlight quite a bit recently. The designer is famous for creating punk pieces in past collections, thus contributing to the punk style movement in a major way.

The designer has since toned down her aesthetic quite a bit (most likely due to her climbing age), and has recently contributed her efforts towards a more commercial outlet. Westwood has just announced that she has designed the new uniforms for Virgin Atlantic.

Richard Branson, owner and founder of Virgin Atlantic, certainly keeps his business new and fresh. This uniform design upgrade is the fourth to occur in the 30 years since it’s inception (most companies don’t even think to change their designs). However, it has been a while since the last change: 13 years to be exact (not to be confused with Virgin America unveiling new uniformed designed by Banana Republic last year).

The goal of Virgin Atlantic has always been to “bring glamour to airline travel”, and Vivienne Westwood certainly does scream glamour. The uniforms have been designed in the airline’s signature red color, using some 40s-esque-design aesthetics (nipped in waist’s and ‘Savile Row touches’).

“My clothes have always got a very strong dynamic rapport with the body-the are very body conscious, they help you to look glamorous, more hourglass, more woman.” Westwood said. “I design things to help people to hopefully express their personality.”

The men’s uniforms differ from the women’s in the sense that they’re a strong burgundy color. Not only are they new and fashionable, these designs are also sustainable. Made with sustainable fabrics, like polyester made form recycled bottles and bags fabricated from recycled brass, canvas, discarded leather pieces and old roadside banners through the Ethical Africa Program, the uniformed will be produced in the Kibera slum in Nairobi.

The uniforms will debut for a trial period in July of this year, and design tweaks will be made as needed based on crew feedback. After that, expect to see 7,500 Virgin Atlantic crew members donning the ever so perfect, Vivienne Westwood.

Photo Credit: Getty Images