After more than 10 years of partnership with Australian fashion designer Martin Grant, Qantas has revealed that it is searching for a new Australian designer to take it into the next era of aviation.
The uniform overhaul has been planned to align with its historic fleet renewal program as it prepares to conquer the final frontier of aviation with the launch of Project Sunrise.
Qantas will begin surveying its uniformed workforce of more than 17,500 team members today to assist in developing the new uniform, which will represent the future of the national carrier.
Qantas Group CEO Vanessa Hudson said the redesign was the start of a new era for the airline and its people.
“Our uniform represents the Qantas spirit all over the world. With a vast and growing international and domestic network, a historic fleet renewal program underway and the final frontier of global aviation just around the corner it’s time to define a new look for our people that reflects where we are heading,” she said.
“Our people have loved wearing the current design, which was created by Martin Grant in 2013, and I want to thank him for his partnership over the course of the last decade.”
Past designers of the uniform include Peter Morrissey, Yves Saint Laurent, George Gross and Harry Who, and Emilio Pucci, which have often reflected key moments in the Flying Kangaroo’s 105-year history.
Qantas will now engage several Australian designers to review the requirements and undertake a selection process for what will become the eleventh uniform in its history.
The next uniform designer will be announced in the coming months with Qantas planning to debut the new design in 2027. The new look will form part of the airline’s major fleet investments in the coming years with more than 100 aircraft on order across the Qantas Group over the next decade.
To celebrate the new uniform, here’s a look back at some of the previous iterations of Qantas’ uniform:
1948 – 1959
1959
1971-1974
1974
2003-2014
Current uniform
Qantas is not the only airline revamping its uniform. Emirates recently debuted a new uniform designed for its Premium & VIP Passengers Services team.
The new uniform has echoes of the iconic Emirates cabin crew look, however, exclusively represents Emirates’ elite unit that caters to high profile customers.
Emirates debuts new uniform for Premium and VIP Passenger Services team
Riyadh Air also made headlines back in July last year when it debuted its uniform on the runway at Haute Couture Week in Paris. The reveal evening was attended by guests including senior stakeholders, diplomats and even celebrities.
