Hainan Airlines sets the bar high when it comes to traveling in style. Partnering with fashion designer Laurence Xu, the Chinese airlines debuted their new crew uniform, which took two years to make, at Paris Haute Couture Week last July 4.
The civilian-owned airline shares in a statement, "During the design process, Hainan Airlines and Laurence Xu met and talked frequently, going through more than 1,000 design blueprints and trying out more than one hundred samples of garments and accessories."
IMAGE WEIBO/Laurence Xu
Laurence has been known for his flair in blending Eastern and Western details, which he demonstrated in this line. He flaunts haute couture in Chinese colors through iterations of a repurposed Cheongsam (or Qi Pao in Mandarin)—a long sheath dress with slits on both sides and a high collar with an asymmetrical opening that's usually fastened by knotted buttons.
IMAGE WEIBO/Laurence Xu
As per Laurence's vision, he fused together the oriental aesthetic with the modernity of Western clothes. His designs feature clouds and alternating waves and mountains that are deemed to be auspicious signs. These symbols together with images of the roc, a legendary mythical bird, refer to the Hainan planes in flight.
IMAGE shanghaiist.com
The fifth-generation cabin crew uniform is also noted for its 3/4 sleeves and tulip-shaped features that highlight simplicity and elegance. The oriental prints are complemented with muted hues like gray as a nod to the airline's previous cabin crew uniforms.
IMAGE WEIBO/Laurence Xu
With this update, the company is able to further display its vision of becoming a competent international airline. “The cooperation between Hainan Airlines and Lawrence Xu is industry leading. We are not only creating a new uniform but also showing the internationalized image of our airline. Especially on international routes, we would like to let passengers know that China is modern and trendy,” says Xu Fei, brand director of Hainan Airlines.
Hey, Preview readers! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Tiktok, and Twitter to stay up to speed on all things trendy and creative. We’ll curate the most stylish feed for you!
