Manish Malhotra to redesign Air India uniforms. What can we expect

Air India’s red-blue saree, white shirt, and black trouser uniform will soon be a thing of the past. Air India, which is owned by the Tata Group, is redesigning its uniforms, which will now feature designs by ace fashion designer Manish Malhotra. As part of Air India’s revival and modernisation strategy, the new uniforms are planned to be adopted for frontline employees by the end of this year, presumably to coincide with the arrival of the airline’s first wide-body A350 aircraft. Here’s what we know about it. Fitting sessions and specialised needs Tata Group-owned Air India has partnered with fashion designer Manish Malhotra to design new uniforms for the airline’s more than 10,000 flight crew, ground staff and security personnel. “This is a further step in the manifestation of Air India’s new global brand identity as part of its ongoing modernisation programme. Air India expects to commence rolling out the new look for its uniformed employees by the end of 2023,” the airline said in a release on Thursday. Malhotra and his team have begun meeting Air India’s frontline staff, conducting discussions and fitting sessions with them to better understand their specialised needs. Air India CEO and MD Campbell Wilson said the airline is working closely with Malhotra and his team to combine elements of “our brand, our heritage and our culture, together with the unique requirements of the airline environment, for what we hope will be a fresh and exciting new look that supports and represents the new Air India.” Ready-to-wear sarees in red and gold Earlier, the Hindustan Times reported that sarees may not be fully removed from the uniform options. In fact, “ready-to-wear sarees, designed to look like traditional ones but without the need for intricate draping” are among the options to consider. [caption id=“attachment_13182862” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] Air India flight attendants have been donning sarees for the last six decades. Image Courtesy: Air India/Instagram[/caption] The flight attendants have been donning sarees for the last six decades. The change which came into being in 1962 when the late JRD Tata made the decision to switch from skirts, jackets and hats. The new colour scheme for the uniform is expected to feature shades of deep red, aubergine and gold, an inside source told to Hindustan Times. Attempt to combine comfort with authenticity Malhotra, who is a long-time fan and passenger of Air India, says, “It’s an absolute honour to collaborate with Air India, our national flying ambassadors,” adding that, “Re-imagining their uniforms is the start of a joyous and collaborative journey that I am eager to embark on." In line with the ageless elegance of the heritage, Manish states, “Our shared ideology is simple yet profound: to evolve without erasing, to modernise without forgetting.” Together, we hope to bridge the gap between tradition and the future by creating uniforms that combine comfort with authenticity and are enveloped in timeless elegance." [caption id=“attachment_13182882” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] It was in 2015 that the last time changes were made in uniforms of Air India, when the loss-making carrier was under government control. Image Courtesy: Air India/Instagram[/caption] It was in 2015 that the last time changes were made in uniforms of Air India, when the loss-making carrier was under government control. Last month, Tata Group-owned Air India unveiled its new brand identity ‘The Vista’ inspired by the peak of the golden window frame that signifies “limitless possibilities” and a new aircraft livery. Earlier this year, Air India placed orders for 470 aircraft from Airbus and Boeing. Tata Group took control of Air India from the government in January last year. It is also consolidating the airline business wherein AIX Connect is in the process of getting merged with Air India Express while Vistara will be merged with Air India. With inputs from PTI