British Airways have unveiled a new uniform in almost twenty years. The new uniform which was designed by Ghanaian-British fashion designer Ozwald Boateng OBE, will be worn by more than 30,000 of the airline’s staff from Spring 2023.
A statement released by the airline said the collection features a tailored three-piece suit for men with regular and slim fit style trousers and dress, skirt and trouser options for women, as well as a modern jumpsuit, which is an airline first. The airline has also added a tunic and hijab option for female cabin crew.
To design the collection, Boateng spent time shadowing staff of British Airways in their roles at the airline. British Airways said the airwave pattern, which features across the entire uniform collection including jackets, t-shirts, buttons and ties, was inspired by the movement of air over an aircraft wing. The jacquard fabric across all of the tailored garments features a variation of the airline’s iconic speedmarque, it added.
Over the last six months, the airline has been putting the uniform to the test in secret trials to ensure that each is fit for the purpose, the airline said.
Boateng, who has been developing the collection since 2018, said “Designing this uniform was a vast and painstaking undertaking and it went far beyond clothes. It was about creating an energetic shift internally. One of my main objectives was to create something that spoke to, and for, the airline’s colleagues. Something that inspired and empowered them, encouraged them to conduct their roles with pride and most importantly to ensure that they felt seen and heard. Although the airline has a strong heritage, it was imperative to support in creating a fresh narrative of change and transcendence, while remaining timeliness.”
Boateng was born on February 28, 1967. The fashion designer is admired for his signature twist on classic tailoring and bespoke style. Boateng was born in North London’s Muswell Hill after his parents emigrated from Ghana in the 1950s. He has said that his father’s immaculate suits that he wore when he was young are a source of inspiration.
Since childhood, his love for fashion has been quite apparent from the fact that he was only fourteen when he found himself a summer job sewing linings into suits.
