Air New Zealand on Country Calendar

[Dave Homewood]

Did anyone else see Country Calendar tonight? I caught the last half. It was about how Air New Zealand hired the Zambesi fashion house to design their new uniforms, and how most of the material is Merino wool (a small enough link to be on the farming show...)

It struck me how with all the research (both with the people to find out what they wanted, and on the materials themselves) then the design of multitudes of styles of garments for the cabin crew must have cost an absolute fortune. No wonder a lot of it has to be made on the cheap in China. Of course the Chines made stuff wasn't mentioned, they only highlighted the bits being made by NZ firms.

What did strike me was the men's stuff doesn't look any different (to me anyway, I'm not fashion buff), and the women's gear looked like it was inspired by a combination of 1940's TEAL hostess clothing, Allo Allo's Helga's uniform and the uniforms in Thunderbirds. Still, it looks quite good.

[steve]

Dave ..I missed that..I saw it advertised..however forgot to watch. My wife Rose works for Air NZ and told me that that there was a lot of critical comments regarding the colour and style.
I saw her in full uniform on the first day of change and liked it...You are right ...the style is back to the future stuff..TEAL etc. I note that Captain and First Officer braid has changed from gold to silver....hmmmn... not sure i like that?

[Dave Homewood]

As a late follow up.... it just goes to show these expensive fashion houses are not as great as they think...

Dark future for airline garb
The Press | Tuesday, 18 December 2007

TOO PALE: Air New Zealand is to darken the colour their cabin crew uniforms, which have been criticised as too pale, confusing and unflattering.

Air New Zealand will make changes to its controversial cabin crew uniform, with chief executive Rob Fyfe admitting that the colour is too pale.

The predominantly teal and schist colour uniform, designed by fashion label Zambesi, was launched at the end of 2005.

However, it has been criticised for its "Thunderbirds" look, is difficult to keep clean, is easily creased and unflattering on larger female staff.

Passengers have also confused male cabin crew, dressed in the more casual open collar shirt option, with fellow passengers.

Fyfe said the colour of the uniform would be changed to a darker shade rather than a new colour.

While the uniform looked good on darker-skinned staff, European employees could look "washed out", he said.

Jackets, skirts and trousers worn by management are a darker slate colour.

Some accessories like scarves would also be updated as part of a periodic refresh programme, Fyfe said.

A spokeswoman said the uniform would continue to reflect New Zealand's natural environment, "but in some cases will go a shade darker next year to keep the look fresh and up-to-date".

Staff had been encouraged to provide feedback on their uniform, but none approached yesterday were prepared to comment publicly. A final decision on the changes would be made in early January.

It costs an estimated $2 million to supply the 3000 staff members with a uniform each and most employees required more than one uniform.

www.stuff.co.nz/4327494a13.html