QANTAS: New uniforms to arrive in 2027

Qantas has a long association with infamous Australian and international designers. It’s scouting for a new designer to produce its next uniform collection, which will debut in 2027. Part of the process is consulting with its 17,000 staff.

It’s been more than a decade since the current uniforms designed by ex-pat Australian Martin Grant were introduced at Qantas. They feature deep dark blue/blacks and bright pink and red highlights.

The designers

Qantas has a long history of working with designers on its uniforms. However, the early uniforms from the 1940s to the mid-1960s are not accompanied by design names. They seem to have been forgotten by history. It’s from 1964 that the designers responsible get names, starting with Leon Paule. His aqua wool uniform with heart-shaped hat was followed by a burnt coral mini dress from 1969. Very au courant.

Next up is Madame Germaine Rocher, the design name adopted by Russian emigre Vera Fels. She re-introduced navy to the line-up, not seen since the original military uniforms at the birth of the airline in 1948. Featuring gold buttons and a red striped hat that earned the moniker ‘Red Back Spider’. Her designs were introduced in 1971, along with the Boeing 747.

Emilio Pucci brought some colour to the uniforms, with a spectacular coral and orange, plus a riot of mix and match prints. Staying in Europe, Yves Saint Laurent designed suits and even trousers for female staff in blue and terracotta, and a flying kangaroo print.

Qantas returned to Australian designers, Adelaide-based George Goss and Harry Who, who returned to navy along with a plain or printed shirt. Staying in Australia, Peter Morrissey went charcoal and introduced the Wirriyarra boomerang print. This design, with a slight colour refresh to coincide with the arrival of the first Airbus A380, endured until 2014, when Martin Grant designed the current uniform

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Uniforms are an integral aspect of airline branding. When designers get it right, airlines get a branding boost. When they don’t, the press often has a field day. That happened with Pucci and Laurent’s designs because he wasn’t Australian, or Morrissey because it was fashion over fit and comfort.

Consulting staff, rightly should be the starting point. David Caon, Qantas branding and design lead will also give them the once over. Caon is responsible for the tableware designs, A350 interiors, and the template for new Qantas lounges so will doubtless run an eye over any proposed uniforms.