When it comes to uniforms, Middle East airlines aim for the skies

The world of aviation is about safety, efficiency, and timeliness but there’s also a glamorous side to this profession which appeals to most of us. This effect is a direct result of the aviation uniforms which the cabin crew don as a part of their job. 

A good example to explain this phenomenon would be Catch Me If You Can, in which Steven Spielberg left a lasting impression on the masses as he showcased the aviation industry which was at its peak in the 1960s. What most of us remember from this movie is a group of air hostesses dressed in high heels and tightly-girdled uniforms, with perfect make-up that compliments their immaculate hairdo.

This presented us with a visual reminder that flying is synonymous with luxury and boosts a certain je ne sais quoi. 

Functionality takes precedence

The cabin crew uniforms represent the ethos and brand identity of the airline. And so, they’re designed with utmost care and consideration, while also keeping in mind their functionality. Striking that right balance is quite a challenge for designers, airlines and aviation authorities. 

“Riyadh Air is on a mission to reinvent the future of travel, and our uniforms are pivotal in communicating that message. We had to collaborate with someone we could trust to achieve that while being familiar with the Kingdom’s heritage and traditions,” said Anton Vidgen, VP Guest Experience at Riyadh Air. 

Riyadh Air, fully-owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), in collaboration with the Saudi fashion designer Ashi, founder of Parisian couture house Ashi Studio, unveiled its first-ever fashion collection, during Haute Couture Week in Paris in June 2024.

 

 

“Practicality and comfort were vital considerations when designing the uniforms. While we want our cabin crew to look their best, we also need them to feel their best and be able to focus on what’s important—providing guests with an unparalleled flying experience.”

Another airline from the Middle East that made its place among the top crew uniform designs is Emirates. 

The Emirates uniform has had many iterations over the years, and the current design was unveiled on 28 July 2008 during the ceremonial handover of Emirates’ first A380 aircraft at the Airbus factory in Hamburg, Germany. The Emirates in-house team designed the uniform, in collaboration with Simon Jersey, a leading UK manufacturer of uniforms.

Comfort, stain and crease resistance are priorities for uniforms, to ensure they stay impeccable even after long-haul flights. Emirates’ uniforms are also designed to be adaptable to different climates, which is vital for cabin crew who may work anywhere in the world, potentially switching between the hot temperatures of Sao Paulo in Brazil to the cold winters of Moscow.

“The iconic uniform of Emirates cabin crew is instantly recognised as a symbol of the world’s largest international airline and the Emirates fly better experience,” said Emirates spokesperson.

Design is in the details

Designed in the shade of warm sand, the Emirates cabin crew uniform symbolises the desert dunes of the region, while the iconic red hat sports a gold pin showcasing the Emirates logo. 

Gold is an important part of the look of the Emirates brand, featuring on the very first Emirates livery and chosen because of its association with Dubai. The pin logo is designed in elaborate Arabic calligraphy and the defining feature of the cabin crew hat is an elegantly draped cream chiffon scarf, symbolising the local culture. 

The veil itself has seven pleats and legend has it, these pleats represent the seven Emirates of the UAE. The male version of the uniform includes a brown suit, with red trim, complemented by a cream shirt and striped tie.

On the other hand, Riyadh Air has chosen bold colours, modern silhouettes, and a charming ‘60s aesthetic that contribute to the outfits’ beauty and communicate luxury, elegance, and innovation.’ 

From the cashmere coats to tailored wool dresses and trousers, Ashi’s creations are a perfect blend of luxurious textures and sophisticated silhouettes. The collection features the signature pillbox hat of the 1950s airline fashion which has been reinterpreted for the modern era.

“It was an incredible honour to be tasked with this responsibility and to create a historic collection for an innovative Saudi brand like Riyadh Air. I dove into the brand’s ambitions, values, and missions as it gears up for its first flight in 2025. It’s a brand heavily focused on enhanced guest experiences, it’s futuristic,” said Mohammed Ashi.

According to Ashi, who has dressed celebrities such as Beyoncé, Sonam Kapoor, and Penelope Cruz, Riyadh Air pays significant attention to detail, which also reflects in the collections. Once he had a firm grasp of the brand, he dove into the history of aviation. 

“For Riyadh Air to disrupt the future of travel, it needed to embrace its history, which is how we arrived at the golden era—its style, elegance, and ambiance. In a way, we wanted to communicate that Riyadh Air will usher in a new golden era for the industry,” Ashi added. 

Ashi has created 15 looks for men and women revealed at the Couture Week, including dresses, trousers, coats, shoes, hats, hijabs, and accessories that capture Riyadh Air’s obsessive attention to detail.  The collection combined the glamour and elegance of modern Saudi Arabia with the timelessness and excitement of the ‘60s and ‘70s. Each piece in the collection has a story to narrate, one that is of meticulous craftsmanship and evergreen beauty.

“The varying shades of amethyst, which are part of our colour palette, also pay homage to Saudi Arabia’s stunning lavender fields. Our uniforms say: Welcome to Riyadh Air, an airline with its gaze on the horizon and its roots in tradition,” Vidgen remarked.

 

 

Creating a look that compliments the uniform

In this landscape of airline fashion, the Middle East airlines have without a doubt set the bar high when it comes to style and sophistication. 

For instance, Emirates provides female cabin crew with a scrunchie in the signature red shade for the range of elegant hair up-styles crew members may choose. 

“To complement the uniform, female cabin crew wear a signature makeup look synonymous with the brand, featuring flawless skin, a perfect red lipstick and naturally defined eyes. Emirates male cabin crew are required to be clean shaven, with neat hair,” an Emirates spokesperson stated.

Emirates has also launched ‘The Emirates Beauty Hub’ in Dubai to help crew to maintain their health, wellbeing and uniform standards. The hub also offers an in-house team of consultants with whom cabin crew can book personalised appointments to learn about make-up application, nutrition, fitness, skincare, hair care tips, or attend the complimentary group events and masterclass’ series.

Changing with evolving times

Over the period of time, cabin crew uniforms have also undergone various changes–from fabric, shoes to even the shade of lipstick worn by air hostesses. 

During the historic establishment of Emirates Airline in 1985, the very first shoes to be worn by Emirates cabin crew back were red, which changed to brown for a while, and then back to the signature red. Now male crew receive new leather shoes every nine months.

As part of the continued evolution of the uniform, starting from May 2024, Emirates female cabin crew are invited to choose their own footwear preferences from a range of 15 shoe styles, so that their individual comfort and taste is catered to while working.

The latest edition of the female shoes and matching leather handbag are a brighter red colour than before, which complements the pleat of the skirt and the trim of the uniform. 

In recent years, many airlines have made considerable strides in upping their design game when it comes to their uniforms. But at its core, “the crew wear the uniform as a symbol of pride in their important role as guardians of customer safety and providers of world-class hospitality,” said an Emirates spokesperson.