On the runway: the Luly Yang designs were unveiled at a launch event for Alaska Airlines, last week. Photo / Elaine Thompson, AP
On the runway: the Luly Yang designs were unveiled at a launch event for Alaska Airlines, last week. Photo / Elaine Thompson, AP
A high-end ballgown designer has swapped the catwalk for the runway after creating new uniforms for Alaska Airlines staff, writes Jennifer Newton for the Mail Online.
Seattle-based Luly Yang has been unveiled as the creator of the new outfits, which the US carrier said represented a fresh, modern West Coastlook. And stylists MailOnline Travel spoke to hailed the designs as 'sharp' and 'very well cut'.
The new uniforms were showcased at a fashion show inside Alaska's Sea-Tac hangar, where airline employees modelled the 90 garments and accessories to thousands of other employees.
By 2019, all Alaska, Virgin America and Horizon Air staff will wear the uniforms, although they will be tested by 130 flight attendants, pilots, customer service agents and lounge employees from next week.
Designing the cabin crew uniforms is a departure for Ms Yang, who normally works on red carpet couture gowns, bridal collections and bespoke menswear. She also has a ready-to-wear label, which includes cashmere knits and leather accessories.
Flight attendants' new styles, featuring asymmetrical hemlines and pops of color, are being put through a test flight over the coming months. Photo / handout
But she says that working on the cabin crew uniforms was one of the most challenging tasks of her career.
Ms Yang spent two years designing and creating the uniforms and had to consider water-resistant fabrics, shirts that don't untuck from trousers and materials that move with the body.
She said: 'With 45 sizes per style and 13 very distinct work groups, this was the ultimate puzzle to solve.
'My hope is that employees feel that they were heard throughout this process, love the collection and wear their uniforms with pride.'
Alaska Airlines' vice president of marketing added: 'Luly's designs perfectly capture our fresh, West Coast vibe and we're absolutely thrilled with the collection.
'Like our refreshed brand, launched in early 2016, our new uniform collection includes bright pops of color, clean lines and stunning finishes, creating a stylish yet approachable look.'
Hannah Eichler, a senior brand stylist for British fashion retailer Oasis, was pleasantly surprised by the new outfits and said Ms Yang now joins a series of designers who have created cabin crew uniforms.
She told MailOnline Travel: 'Following in the fashion footsteps of Vivienne Westwood for Virgin Atlantic and Christian Dior for Air France, Luly Yang is the latest to join style's elite in designing a uniform for an international airline.
Ground and maintenance workers' uniforms have also had a makeover. Photo / handout
'The American fashion designer has teamed up with Alaskan Airlines to bring their flight attendants uniform into the 21st century.
'Yang has shaken up Alaskan Airlines stiff suited looks more likely seen in your local bank, and introduced details inspired by the runways.
'Using navy as a softer alternative to black, the uniforms feature fashion forward colour blocking and this season's romantic frill details – not forgetting the obligatory neck tie, of course!
'And whilst Luly Yang might not be a household name unlike the likes of Pierre Balmain and Christian Lacroix who have also turned their hand to designing high flying outfits, she's certainly made her mark on the fashion industry.
'Yang broke into the industry designing wedding gowns, has shown her couture line in Beijing and recently launched two ready-to-wear collections in 2015. We're expecting big things.'
Fashion blogger Simon Glazin added: 'Thanks to this "50p flight" culture we now live in, airlines don't want to spend a lot of money on uniforms. You only have to look at the budget airlines to see this.
'How many times have you thought to yourself that those now famous Tango-orange outfits look like they'll scratch your skin off?
'It's nice to see flight attendants looking chic. It nods back to the days where they used to wear crisp white pussy bow blouses and pillbox hats (maybe just in the movies).
'Luly Yang, although not the first designer to create uniforms for travel companies, has done a good job here. It's interesting to see a couture designer turn her hand to something everyday. The menswear isn't anything groundbreaking, but the womenswear looks very well cut.
'The wrap-style dresses, with their two-tone asymmetric designs, are winners, and are great for all body shapes. And the coats with big, splaying collars are the standouts. Women would pay good money for a cover-up like that.
'The tailoring looks sharp, for both men and women, and the accessories are nice twist: hats, scarves and even handbags to match. All lovely added extras.'
