Exhibition Features Decades of British Airways Uniforms

The exhibition titled “The Fashion of Flight,” which delves into eight decades of British Airways cabin crew attire, is now open to the public at Aerospace Bristol. Running until November 17, this display presents a diverse collection of cabin and flight crew uniforms from British Airways and its antecedent organizations, spanning from the 1940s through contemporary designs. Daphne Oldfield, a former British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) cabin crew member, recalled her initial uniform appearing “like a hairdresser’s overall.” Ms. Oldfield, who now volunteers at Aerospace Bristol, stated: “I remember my first uniform was a mini just above the knee in raspberry pink with a zip up the front, with a little sassy belt at the back.” She further recounted, “Just before that we had paper dresses for the Caribbean which you cut to your preferred length, ” adding, “You can imagine some girls wanted it up high and got told off. “Guys in the aisle would be trying to light your dress with a lighter. Those dresses didn’t last long.” This exhibition aims to examine the progression of airline uniforms, highlighting their influence on both the fashion industry and the field of aviation. The items on display illustrate how these uniforms mirror notable shifts in historical contexts, cultural trends, and aesthetic preferences. Among the uniforms featured are the BOAC 1950s designs created by Maurice Helman, the BOAC Cheongsam from 1955, and the British European Airways 1967 uniform designed by royal dressmaker Sir Hardy Amies. Amy Seadon, who serves as head of collections, learning and interpretation at Aerospace Bristol, commented: “Airline cabin crew have long been associated with first-class service and meticulously coiffured appearances. “She continued, “This exhibition highlights the shifts in societal norms through the decades and illustrates the transition from high fashion to practical functionality in cabin crew uniforms.” Ms. Seadon concluded by stating, “We are incredibly grateful to British Airways for their support and look forward to welcoming everyone to experience the exhibition as part of a day out at Aerospace Bristol.” Follow BBC Bristol on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.