Fashion Icon Vivienne Westwood tapped to design Virgin Atlantic's new uniforms

Fashion Editor — 5/6/2013 8:40:00 AM

Virgin Atlantic has announce that it is partnering with leading British designer Vivienne Westwood to redesign its iconic red uniform. The collaboration between the two British brands is a long-term partnership which will see a total re-design of the uniform across all areas. With original design and sustainability being vital factors to both Richard Branson and Vivienne Westwood, this project aims to bring these ideals together in an exciting and innovative collaboration.

For the new uniforms, Vivienne Westwood wanted to create a futuristic look which references her enduring interest in 40’s French couture cutting techniques as well as the Savile Row tailoring heritage. The new designs will capture the glamour and style that the Virgin Atlantic cabin crew are renowned for.

Richard Branson, President of Virgin Atlantic commented: “Virgin Atlantic has a distinct spirit and from a design perspective we continually try to challenge the norm and stand out from the crowd. Our current uniform has been around for more than 10 years and we have seen other airlines start to copy it. When we were choosing the designer for this project, we wanted to work with a group of people who share our spirit of adventure, who believe in challenging the status quo and creating something truly memorable.”

Vivienne Westwood commented: “My clothes have always got a very strong dynamic rapport with the body- they are very body conscious, they help you to look glamorous, more hourglass, more woman. I design things to help people to hopefully express their personality. I am always trying to find fabrics that are more friendly to the environment - working with Virgin Atlantic they managed to research into this and find more eco fabrics.”

For the female cabin crew uniform the design process began by looking at cuts which encompassed function as well as form. The suit is, of course, in the iconic Virgin red and the silhouette extremely feminine to fit all shapes and sizes. The jacket enhances the female form with the aid of cleverly placed bust pleats, a nipped in waist and a curved hip line and the pencil skirt which looks deceptively simple from the front then reveals a cheeky dart and double pleat at the back. For the men, a sharp Savile Row inspired three piece suit in rich burgundy wool is subverted with shadow details in grey wool under the lapels and pockets. The effect is of a very traditional British look which is given a contemporary feel.

Over 7,500 staff including cabin crew, pilots, Clubhouse staff and Virgin Holidays employees will receive new uniforms from the iconic designer and employees have been involved throughout the design process. Passengers will receive a sneak peek of the new uniforms from July 2013 when cabin crew and ground staff trial the uniform at the airports and on board. Crew will provide feedback on the design, practicality and wearability so tweaks can be made ahead of the full launch in 2014.

Many items of the new uniform will be produced using recycled materials - in particular working with recycled polyester yarn made from used plastic bottles. The suiting fabrics will also have a nano finish applied which extends the life of garments and enables clothing to retain its colour and finish for longer. Virgin Atlantic is also developing all items with Closed Loop Recycling in mind. This new technology takes worn polyester clothing and turns it back into fibres that can be woven again into new fabrics and in turn new clothing.

Vivienne Westwood has also introduced recycled bags for the ground staff which will be produced for Virgin through the Ethical Africa Programme, in collaboration with the International Trade Centre (ITC). The bags will be created using recycled canvas, reused roadside banners, unused leather off-cuts, and recycled brass, produced in the Kibera slum, Nairobi, where discarded metal like padlocks and car pieces are collected then melted down.

For more information go to http://www.virginatlantic.com

2013 Coachella Style & Party Guide

Editor — 4/7/2013 8:27:00 AM

Are you ready? Festival season is finally here and as a Coachella veteran (going on my 4^th year) here are Michelle Madonna's picks to your Coachella style:

Never forget your combat boots. With the grass & dirt and semi cool nights in the Indio desert a pair of combat boots will be your best friend. Not to mention they will look kick ass with anything you pair it with.

If you’re anything like me you are going to want to run around the festival and see as much as you possibly can. With a side bag or tote it’s just not that simple.Just snap on a sick studded fanny pack and you are all set. And on top of it your stuff is nice and close to you so you don’t have to worry about a creep jacking your money.

Cropped tops & tattoos. Or you can just go with the cropped top. Tribal colors are always a fab way to go or you can be a flower child like me and go with a floral print. Either way you can’t go wrong.

And of course last but not least you one hundred percent need to be wearing a TMG Halo this year! Available in all different styles and colors you are bound to find one that matches yourpersonality perfectly! Because everyone stops to stare at the girl with flowers in her hair

www.thatmadonnagirl.com

To Indio we go! See you at the desert flower children!

Got your Style Down? Now show it off...here are CP's Pick for Parties around Coachella

11th Annual Filter Yacht Club

Filter will be back once again with their Thursday night Filter Yacht Club party to get the entire weekend going. We do know that there will be a party on April 11th and 18th, but that’s all that we know for now. Details on the music line-up have yet to be released, but we hear that we should expect info sometime this week. This party has become a yearly tradition for most of us and is one that we suggest you add to your calendar.

Filter Yacht Party has announced the line up for their first party to be held on April 11th! St. Lucia and Penguin Prison will headline and joined by Channel One, Tres Dubois, Misshapes and K.I.D.S. to spin tunes for you all night long! RSVP for this party HERE.

Desert Gold

ACE Hotel in Palm Springs will hold their fifth Desert Gold event from April 12th-21st. This event will include live music and a Rolling Record Store presented by Third Man Records. Flying Lotus, Jeremy Sole and Benji B are scheduled to spin sets and parties by the Do-Over crew, KCRW, Warp Records and Boiler Room. These parties are mianly reserved for guests of the ACE Hotel and you can reserve rooms HERE. But each party may have their own way of getting in. We’ll keep you posted with any details.

Neon Carnival

This is probably the most outrageous party going on all weekend! Neon Carnival features midway games, rides and a jam packed dance floor. This also seems to be the most star-studded party going on other than the main event at the polo fields. This years Neon Carnival will take place on Saturday, April 13th at Thermal Airport which is only 7 mil

Clubplanet Style Features

Fashion Icon Vivienne Westwood tapped to design Virgin Atlantic's new uniforms

2013 Coachella Style & Party Guide