Australian national carrier Qantas today unveils the newest uniform for its almost 3,000 pilots under its wings. The modern and sleek navy suit is designed by Australian fashion designer, Martin Grant.
Australian fashion designer Martin Grant (centre) creates a new look for Qantas pilots.
Grant drew inspiration from the quintessential nautical-style uniforms for his new design, which features a modern, single-breasted, navy suit in a streamlined cut with a narrow trouser for males, and a more feminine version for women, including a specific female tie. He listened to feedback from the pilots who wanted to keep the traditional image whilst having a fresh look.
Grant chose a fabric that is lighter, and designed the shirt to be more fitted. He also gave the uniform finer gold stripes, used to define rank, to create a more elegant look. The back of the jacket also features a red vent to add a splash of colour.
The hat is navy with a waterproof white top – important for conducting the pre-flight aircraft walk around in all weather. The gold embroidered hat badge has been simplified using the Qantas Roo logo – the iconic symbol first introduced in 1947 to coincide with Qantas’ first services through to London. The symbol also features on the new wing badge, which has been updated in gold embroidery.
“The hat is what makes a pilot so recognisable. I wanted to go back to the essence of the naval uniform and bring back the white top. It gives a nostalgic element, reminding us of the glamour of air travel,” said Grant.
Only Australian fabrics have been used, including Australian Merino wool for the suits and cotton blends for the shirts, designed for high levels of comfort and different climates. The new uniform also features the Australian Coat of Arms on the tie pin.
“The uniform was developed in collaboration with our pilots to make sure that it meets their needs on the job, as well as perfectly capturing the power and history of the Qantas brand,” remarked Alan Joyce, Qantas Group Chief Executive Officer.
All Qantas pilots will wear the new design by the end of 2016.
