<strong>High fashion:</strong> Chinese airline Hainan Airlines has staked its claim as the world's most stylish fleet, premiering a haute couture uniform for its cabin crew.
High fashion: Chinese airline Hainan Airlines has staked its claim as the world's most stylish fleet, premiering a haute couture uniform for its cabin crew.
Courtesy Hainan Airlines
<strong>Style mix:</strong> Designer Laurence Xu has created the beautiful new uniforms -- inspired by Eastern and Western design traditions.
Style mix: Designer Laurence Xu has created the beautiful new uniforms -- inspired by Eastern and Western design traditions.
Courtesy Hainan Airlines
<strong>Fashion show:</strong> Hainan Airlines debuted the collection at the 2017 Laurence Xu Haute Couture Show at Paris Couture Week Fall/Winter 2017.
Fashion show: Hainan Airlines debuted the collection at the 2017 Laurence Xu Haute Couture Show at Paris Couture Week Fall/Winter 2017.
Courtesy Hainan Airlines
<strong>Global routes:</strong> Hainan Airlines launched in 1993 and operates internally in China and internationally.
Global routes: Hainan Airlines launched in 1993 and operates internally in China and internationally.
Courtesy Hainan Airlines
<strong>Traditional origins:</strong> Xu based the designs on the Cheongsam -- a traditional formal Chinese dress, which he pairs with Western-style fitted coats and capes.
Traditional origins: Xu based the designs on the Cheongsam -- a traditional formal Chinese dress, which he pairs with Western-style fitted coats and capes.
Courtesy Hainan Airlines
<strong>Tailor made: </strong>The updated version was the outcome of more than 1,000 design blueprints and several meetings between Xu and Hainan Airlines.
Tailor made: The updated version was the outcome of more than 1,000 design blueprints and several meetings between Xu and Hainan Airlines.
Courtesy Hainan Airlines
<strong>Delicate clouds:</strong> The pastel-colored dresses are decorated with delicate clouds, crashing waves and mountains.
Delicate clouds: The pastel-colored dresses are decorated with delicate clouds, crashing waves and mountains.
Courtesy Hainan Airlines
<strong>Color themes:</strong> "The Oriental art-inspired patterns and gray-color theme that have always been an essential part of the uniform's design," says Hainan Airlines.
Color themes: "The Oriental art-inspired patterns and gray-color theme that have always been an essential part of the uniform's design," says Hainan Airlines.
Courtesy Hainan Airlines
<strong>Visual experience:</strong> "The uniforms are now an element of the masterful visual experience that has become part and parcel of what the airline's domestic and international passengers are treated to when they fly with Hainan," says the airline.
Visual experience: "The uniforms are now an element of the masterful visual experience that has become part and parcel of what the airline's domestic and international passengers are treated to when they fly with Hainan," says the airline.
Courtesy Hainan Airlines
<strong>New horizons:</strong> Hainan Airlines says it's committed to catering to "ever-changing passenger expectations."
New horizons: Hainan Airlines says it's committed to catering to "ever-changing passenger expectations."
Courtesy Hainan Airlines
China's Hainan Airlines: Coolest cabin crew uniform ever?
CNN  — 

From the psychedelic go-go boots of the 1960s to Virgin Atlantic’s iconic red Vivienne Westwood uniforms – cabin crew uniforms are constantly evolving.

Now Hainan Airlines of China has staked its claim as the world’s most stylish fleet, premiering a haute couture collection for its cabin crew.

Fusing traditions

Laurence Xu's attention to detail elevates the uniforms from the ordinary.
Laurence Xu's attention to detail elevates the uniforms from the ordinary.
Courtesy Hainan Airlines

Designer Laurence Xu has created these beautiful uniforms, which the airline says blends Eastern and Western design traditions.

“The fusion of traditional Chinese elements and popular international fashion created an Oriental masterpiece that turned heads in Paris,” it says.

Xu based the designs on the Cheongsam – a traditional formal Chinese dress, which he pairs with Western-style fitted coats and capes. The pastel-colored dresses are decorated with delicate clouds, crashing waves and mountains.

Related article What's the future for airline cabins?

Fashion week debut

United started coordinating their flight attendant uniforms with the company's colors in this 1939 look by in-house designer Zay Smith. These outfits were used for the airline's Douglas DC-3 service.
United Air Lines, 1939 —
United started coordinating their flight attendant uniforms with the company's colors in this 1939 look by in-house designer Zay Smith. These outfits were used for the airline's Douglas DC-3 service.
Courtesy SFO Museum
This 1944 look by Hollywood fashion designer Howard Greer employed TWA lettering on the shoulder. The logo could be covered with a triangular jacket flap when the attendant wanted to smoke or have a cocktail while off-duty.
Trans World Airlines, 1944 —
This 1944 look by Hollywood fashion designer Howard Greer employed TWA lettering on the shoulder. The logo could be covered with a triangular jacket flap when the attendant wanted to smoke or have a cocktail while off-duty.
Courtesy SFO Museum
This 1959 piece by Hollywood designer Don Loper for Pan Am celebrates the Jet Age with sharp, angular detailing.
Pan Am, 1959 —
This 1959 piece by Hollywood designer Don Loper for Pan Am celebrates the Jet Age with sharp, angular detailing.
Courtesy SFO Museum
In a 1965 look designed by Emilio Pucci, a Braniff International Airways hostess displays her space bubble helmet. No, these were not very practical.
Braniff International Airways, 1965 —
In a 1965 look designed by Emilio Pucci, a Braniff International Airways hostess displays her space bubble helmet. No, these were not very practical.
Courtesy SFO Museum
Never one to be afraid of color, Pucci designed Braniff outfits with bold patterns and theatricality.
Braniff International Airways, 1965 —
Never one to be afraid of color, Pucci designed Braniff outfits with bold patterns and theatricality.
Courtesy SFO Museum
Goodbye, traditional suits. Hello, swinging '60s. Emilio Pucci designed this Braniff 1966 Supersonic Derby outfit that was sure to make the woman wearing it stand out.
Braniff International Airways, 1966 —
Goodbye, traditional suits. Hello, swinging '60s. Emilio Pucci designed this Braniff 1966 Supersonic Derby outfit that was sure to make the woman wearing it stand out.
Courtesy SFO Museum
This United Airlines uniform designed by Hollywood costumer Jean Louis was made in double-knit wool and in a tighter fit. These 1968 dresses came in two colors: Hawaiian Sunset and Maliblue.
United Airlines, 1968 —
This United Airlines uniform designed by Hollywood costumer Jean Louis was made in double-knit wool and in a tighter fit. These 1968 dresses came in two colors: Hawaiian Sunset and Maliblue.
Courtesy SFO Museum
This 1969 winter suit for Air France flight attendants was designed by Cristobal Balenciaga. He closed his fashion house shortly after finishing this collection.
Air France, 1969 —
This 1969 winter suit for Air France flight attendants was designed by Cristobal Balenciaga. He closed his fashion house shortly after finishing this collection.
Courtesy SFO Museum
Designed by Hanae Mori, this 1970 Japan Airlines uniform pays homage to two of Japan's national symbols. The hat features a crane motif while the belt invokes the rising sun.
Japan Airlines, 1970 —
Designed by Hanae Mori, this 1970 Japan Airlines uniform pays homage to two of Japan's national symbols. The hat features a crane motif while the belt invokes the rising sun.
Courtesy SFO Museum
Inspired by an English-style riding habit, this 1971 Pan Am outfit aimed to be both functional and fashionable with a uniform that could be worn in all seasons.
Pan Am, 1971 —
Inspired by an English-style riding habit, this 1971 Pan Am outfit aimed to be both functional and fashionable with a uniform that could be worn in all seasons.
Courtesy SFO Museum
This 1971 polyester knit dress for TWA was designed by Valentino -- just in case you missed the branding on the scarf.
Trans World Airlines, 1971 —
This 1971 polyester knit dress for TWA was designed by Valentino -- just in case you missed the branding on the scarf.
Courtesy SFO Museum
This polyester three-piece suit from 1976 had a Western flavor and a blouse checkered with the United Airlines logo.
United Airlines, 1976 —
This polyester three-piece suit from 1976 had a Western flavor and a blouse checkered with the United Airlines logo.
Courtesy SFO Museum
The era of shoulder pads and power suits is celebrated by Yves Saint Laurent in this 1986 jacket-dress combo with kangaroo print for Qantas Airways.
Qantas Airways, 1986 —
The era of shoulder pads and power suits is celebrated by Yves Saint Laurent in this 1986 jacket-dress combo with kangaroo print for Qantas Airways.
Courtesy SFO Museum
This uniform created by the House of Dior is all about the polyester midi-skirt and the power dressing of the 1980s. It was worn by Union de Transport Aeriens attendants in 1987.
Union de Transport Aeriens, 1987 —
This uniform created by the House of Dior is all about the polyester midi-skirt and the power dressing of the 1980s. It was worn by Union de Transport Aeriens attendants in 1987.
Courtesy SFO Museum
Eastern Airlines (no longer in service) celebrated traditionalism in this 1990 design featuring a retro hat invoking the golden age of air travel.
Eastern Airlines, 1990 —
Eastern Airlines (no longer in service) celebrated traditionalism in this 1990 design featuring a retro hat invoking the golden age of air travel.
Courtesy SFO Museum
Christian Lacroix's atelier designed over 100 pieces for Air France from 2000 onwards, including this wool-blend dress with Japanese-style tie-belt.
Air France, 2005 —
Christian Lacroix's atelier designed over 100 pieces for Air France from 2000 onwards, including this wool-blend dress with Japanese-style tie-belt.
Courtesy SFO Museum
This 2008 Aeromexico uniform by Macario Jimenez resurrects the polyester suit, which can be worn in both skirt and pant versions.
Aeromexico, 2008 —
This 2008 Aeromexico uniform by Macario Jimenez resurrects the polyester suit, which can be worn in both skirt and pant versions.
Courtesy SFO Museum
Dame Vivienne Westwood brought her aesthetic to Virgin Atlantic in 2014 with this scarlet tailored suit with bold gold buttons, complete with wing insignia.
Virgin Atlantic, 2014 —
Dame Vivienne Westwood brought her aesthetic to Virgin Atlantic in 2014 with this scarlet tailored suit with bold gold buttons, complete with wing insignia.
Courtesy SFO Museum
The history of flight attendant uniforms

“The Oriental art-inspired patterns and gray-color theme that have always been an essential part of the uniform’s design,” adds the airline.

The updated version was apparently the outcome of more than 1,000 design blueprints and several meetings between Xu and Hainan Airlines. The carrier, which ranked No. 9 on Skytrax world’s top 100 airlines ranking in 2017, says the design process took two years.

Hainan Airlines debuted the collection at the 2017 Laurence Xu Haute Couture Show at Paris Couture Week Fall/Winter 2017 – cementing the airline’s status as a fashion force to be reckoned with.

Hainan Airlines says it’s committed to catering to “ever-changing passenger expectations” – so the new uniforms could be just the first step in the airline’s journey to aviation dominance.