As I’m packing for Quiksilver Pro (no I’m not a surfer… unless you mean online?) there is no doubt in my mind what airline I’m going to choose for my Melbourne to Gold Coast flight. For the first time in 10 years I’m ditching Qantas to satisfy my curiosity and witness the newly updated fashions of Virgin Blue’s cabin crew.

Designed by the Project Runway winner Julie Grbac and modeled by Australia’s true blue Elle Macpherson, the new striking red and royal purple uniforms are inspired from the glamour of flying in the 1960s; which is when I believe Emilio Pucci designed the very first air hostess getup.

Emilio Pucci was discovered on the ski slopes of Zermatt by legendary fashion editor, Diana Vreeland. Captivated by the sleek ski ensembles Pucci designed for himself, Vreeland featured his winter resort designs in the December 1948 issue of Harpers Bazaar. The look of ski clothes changed forever and a new fashion empire was established. Naturally the creator of jet-set style was the perfect choice to design fashions for jet hostesses. He brought playfulness and youthful color to a traditional world dominated by boxy wool suits and military caps.

Pioneered by Pucci, designer uniforms quickly became a trend: Singapore Airlines’ iconic dress is the work of Pierre Balmain, Korean Air enlisted the Italian stallion Gianfranco Ferré, Air France hired local countryman Christian Lacroix while British Airways turned to Givenchy’s very own Julien Macdonald.

Anyway, back to Virgin Blue: since they unveiled their first domestic business class with the leather seats available on the new Airbus 330, I might choose them again for my trip to Perth later this year… depending if I like their uniforms of course!

by Olga Titarenko