Virgin America go Bananas
Those lucky lads and lasses at Virgin America sure are in for a lovely treat. Last week San Francisco-based label Banana Republic unveiled their new uniforms for the Virgin America crew and we at Field Grey reckon that airline staff around the globe are going to be more than just a little bit jealous.
Banana Republic’s range of no-frills Virgin America uniforms is inspired, rather than obsessed, by the world of aviation. The result is a clean, modern collection tied together by the colours of Virgin America, which becomes ever more apparent when the crew model their new threads in the Virgin America lounge – see picture for proof that the colours match. Female flight attendants are gifted with luxurious leather jackets and cheeky red trench coats – simultaneously smart, practical and sexy – and the outfits are designed to be customisable through reversible belts and optional neckties. We love the ‘professional traveller’ feel of the new uniform and although a tiny part of us mourns the traditional embroidery and heavy decoration of a good ol’ fashioned pilot’s uniform, BR’s understated pilot is a brave move into modernity (he’s the guy in the middle by the way).
As well as looking super chic, Field Grey is pleased to report that the uniform has been designed with day-to-day activities of the cabin crew firmly in mind. Shirts have a little extra length so that they stay tucked in when flight attendants reach up to store items in the overhead locker, and skirts and trousers also feature a little rubberised grip to properly secure them in place – meaning minimal risk of your delicious in-flight meal being served with a side of tummy.
With a cracking new uniform that is both fashionable and functional, we bet Virgin America’s crew are on cloud nine. (Sorry).
And if you’re thinking about filling in a flight attendant application form just to get in on the action then never fear – Banana Republic are launching a travel themed autumn collection in-flight and in selected US stores on August 7th 2012.
If you really can’t get enough of these new uniforms you may well want to travel back in time via YouTube to March 2012 when Virgin America hosted a fashion show debuting Banana Republic’s ‘Mad Man’ collection – at 35,000ft, on an actual flying Virgin America plane, with actual passengers (and a few lucky bloggers). Come fly with BR? We would.
THE FIELD GREY UNIFORM OLYMPICS 2012
In a mere 14 days’ time designers from across the globe will wait with bated breath as their clothes go down the catwalk in front of millions of spectators – at the London 2012 Olympic opening ceremony. We at Field Grey have compiled a shortlist of those Olympic uniforms we feel are worthy of a place on the podium (as well as those that should have perhaps stayed in the dressing room).
GOLD MEDAL: Jamaica
A deserving recipient of our gold medal, the Jamaican 2012 Olympic team uniforms were designed by Cedella Marley (Bob Marley’s daughter and designer behind clothing label Catch A Fire) in collaboration with PUMA. We are LOVING the quintessentially Jamaican result, especially the pairing of the vibrant Jamaican national colours with the sleek and tailored outline (the tie just screams ‘I’m the boss’). Special kudos has to go to the women’s printed leggings for their confidently flamboyant pattern and general difficult-to-wear-ability. Unsurprisingly 100m-world record holder/most famous athlete on the planet Usain Bolt was roped in to model the uniform – and did so in his own typically understated way.
Fans of PUMA/Jamaica/a cracking good time should investigate PUMA YARD, 17 days (and nights) of Jamaica-themed events in east London featuring jerk-chicken eating contests alongside music from big names like Professor Green, Gyptian and Groove Armada. Athletic superstar Usain Bolt will be putting in an appearance as well as designer of the Field Grey gold medal winning Olympic uniform Cedella Marley herself. All of the events are free and Field Grey are going. What more encouragement do you need?
https://www.puma.com/news/17-days-and-nights-and-then-some
SILVER MEDAL: The USA
Unavoidably the USA pulled out the big guns for their assault on Olympic 2012 fashion, with their uniforms designed by the one and only Ralph Lauren. The resulting uniform is just (just) the right side of all-American wholesomeness, with those squeaky-clean girls and boys from next door decked out in white trousers (pants) and classic polos in a choice of (wait for it) blue, white or red. The ankle-skimming trousers lend the downtime uniform classic Ralph Lauren preppy elegance and the matching belts really tie the team together. Although admittedly a little on the safe side the uniform is still totally wearable and totally appropriate for London 2012 – go team!
ALSO Nike claim that their superhero-style uniforms for the USA’s track and field athletes are capable of shaving up to 0.023 seconds off 100m sprint times because of their fancy ‘golf-ball’ dimpled surfaces. Find out more about this super technology/magic here:
BRONZE MEDAL: South Korea
South Korea’s super sharp and super cute uniform is an underrated success amongst 2012’s Olympic offerings. A modern re imagining of the Korean kit for the 1948 London Olympics the uniform is pretty nautical, but in a good way. The Breton striped tops teamed with the gold-buttoned blazers (double-breasted for the ladies) gives the uniform a classically sporty feel while somehow managing to narrowly avoid looking like sailor fancy dress. We particularly love the cheeky glimpse of patterned golf sock against the conservative white trousers – and so do the athletes judging by their lovely smiley faces. Of course, their smiles could equally be down to their jaunty fedoras or sleek man bags (which apparently can also be used as a clutch) – to both of these brave accessories we say bravo.
DRESSING ROOM: Spain
You can always tell that something’s not quite right when you can’t get a real life person to model your national uniform. Spain inexplicably outsourced their uniform design to Russia and Russia responded with this. Nice. Incidentally, Russia’s 2012 uniform is actually okay.
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