By Gary Raynaldo
Savile Row tailoring expert, Ozwald Boateng OBE, is to be the next in an auspicious line-up of British designers to develop uniforms British Airways, the airline announced. Boateng, who is known for bringing a modern contemporary twist to the classic British institution of tailoring, will be designing a collection for the airline’s 32,000 employees who wear a uniform as part of their role. The new uniform will form an important part of the airline’s celebrations for its Centenary next year. Alex Cruz, British Airways’ Chairman and Chief Executive, said:
“Our uniforms have been an iconic symbol of our brand throughout our 100-year history and our partnership with Ozwald will take us forward to the next chapter in our journey. At a time when we’re investing for customers, new uniforms are a visual representation of investment in our people and we want them to feel proud when they wear the new uniform,” Cruz, BA’s Chairman and Chief Executive.
Ozwald, “The King of Savile Row”, started his career in fashion in 1986 in London
Credit: New York Times.com / Ozwald Boateng is a British men’s wear designer, who has taken the fashion world by storm ever since coming on the scene in 1986 with his cutting edge designs.
The British fashion designer of Ghanaian descent is known for his trademark twist on classic British tailoring and bespoke style. Ozwald started his career in fashion in 1986 and became the first tailor to host a catwalk show at Paris Fashion Week. Boateng OBE, said:
“I am really excited about creating this new uniform for British Airways. It is important for me to create something that makes all of British Airways’ 32,000 uniform-wearing employees across the world excited, at the same time as enabling me to really demonstrate my skills as a designer. British Airways is investing £4.5 billion over the next five years and the uniform I design will form part of that, so I’m looking forward to taking a uniform and refining it into a collection,” British Designer Ozwald.
Savile Row tailor Ozwald launched his first womenswear collection this year
Credit: British GQ.com / The Personal Syle of celebrated Savile Row tailor Ozwald
Ozwald will be working closely with the airline’s employees throughout the development process, from shadowing them to understand their roles and how the uniforms need to perform, to design, testing and final delivery. British Airways has worked with a number of famous names throughout its history to design its uniforms. These include Paul Costelloe, Roland Klein, Baccart Weatherall, Hardy Amies and Julien MacDonald, the designer of the airline’s current uniform.
Credit: BA media / Ozwald will create a unique design to be worn by all of BA’s 32,000 uniform wearing employees around the world.
