KARACHI: As Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) unveiled new uniforms for its flight attendants earlier this week, it’s evident that the carrier is pulling all the stops in its attempt for an image makeover.

Late last month, it was announced that PIA had added three new planes to its fleet, which will be launched under the banner — PIA Premier.

Flight stewardesses of the exclusive service are getting a fashion makeover and will be dressed in uniforms by Kar­achi-based designers Nomi Ansari, who is responsible for the outfits, and Sania Maskatiya, who designed the scarf. In an effort to revamp PIA’s image, a fashion show was organised in March 2015 by the carrier’s authorities, showcasing design proposals by 16 designers to update the flight crew’s uniforms.

It was decided that the selected designs would be worn by the flight crew starting August 14, 2015; however, the implementation of the designs was delayed by a year and now will be worn from Aug 14 of this year.

The uniforms, which are set to make their first appearance in flights bound for London, UK, are available in three colours: mushroom-green, navy and maroon.

Mr Ansari, the designer behind the new uniforms, shared a photograph of PIA Premier flight attendants’ redesigned attire on social media and explained that “different hues are going to be worn by the lower ground staff, the cabin crew and the pursers”.

“The shirt has a straight princess-cut and it’s paired with a tailored jacket that can be taken off,” he said.

“The straight pant that we showcased in the fashion show has been replaced by a narrow tailored shalwar. I have also devised the draping and pleating of the headscarf so that it can be worn under the air hostess’ cap, covering the head, and can also be wound round the neck,” he added.

The print of the headscarf is designed by Ms Maskatiya who took inspiration from her ‘Uraan’ collection.

“The scarf is made with crepe and there are digitally-printed birds on it and a black and white geometric border,” said the designer.

“We have three different colours for different levels of the staff hierarchy. I have also designed the apron to be worn by the stewardesses and its design emulates my collection ‘Naqsh’. It has a sky-line etched onto it in digital print, featuring the Minar-i-Pakistan and Quaid-i-Azam’s mausoleum,” she added.

When the uniforms were unveiled two days ago the response on social media was mixed. PIA spokesman Danyal Gil­ani admitted that when they shared a sneak peek of the new uniforms on Twit­ter, “the response hadn’t been great”.

Published in Dawn, August 12th, 2016