RIYADH AIR: Launches uniforms at Paris Haute Couture Week
Yesterday (27 June) in Paris, Riyadh Air, a new Saudi Arabian airline that will not enter commercial flying until 2025, launched its uniforms during Haute Couture Week as part of Paris Fashion Week.
The uniforms have been designed by Ashi Studio after Saudi Arabian designer Mohammed Ashi joined the airline as creative director.
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No surprises – fashion hyperbole
The Airline’s CEO has been banging on about how the airline will not have traditional uniforms but will have ‘fashion’.
As suspected, we can now see that was mainly hyperbole, although the inspiration from the movie ‘Catch Me If You Can’ is obvious. These are uniforms. In the words of Miranda Priestly – ‘Groundbreaking’.
Oh, and she was at the Balenciaga show during Paris Fashion Week, or at least her doppelganger created by Alexis Stone was.
“The cabin crew fashion line is one of the first things our guests will see when they board our aircraft in 2025 and we are confident that Ashi’s unique designs will leave a lasting impression, ensuring the experience lives long in their memory after they have landed.”
Tony Douglas, Riyadh Air CEO
About the designs
There is an echo of some classic modernist-era tropes, such as Jackie Kennedy’s pillbox hat, boat cowl collars, and three-quarter sleeves. The men’s Nehru-inspired jackets bring a bit more of the ’60s with them.
Mohammed Ashi became the first couturier from the Gulf region to join the Fédération de la Haute Couture in Paris, and has been brought on board by Riyadh Air to design their uniforms.
2PAXfly Takeout
These new uniforms are very chic. However, the monotone purple/blue in these shots is a little safe. The promotional video on the airline’s page indicates that an additional triangle-based pattern is used, possibly on the shirts, which makes for more interest.
I like these uniforms, but they certainly are part of the current tailored uniform look. There are no flourishes such as the collars Vivienne Westward used in the Virgin Atlantic gender-neutral uniforms. But then I expect adopting a gender neutral uniform for a Saudi Arabian airline is a bridge too far.
‘That is All’
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