When legendary British designer Vivienne Westwood announced a deal with Sir Richard Branson to revamp Virgins iconic red uniforms earlier this year, ELLE could not wait to see what she would come up with.
Now, the designs are in and the one-time queen of punk has not disappointed.
The new garments are glamorous yet practical, with a 40s French couture influence and quintessentially sharp British tailoring. And of course, it wouldnt be a Virgin outfit without lashings of in-your-face red.
Over 180 specially selected staff will be trialling the new designs as of today to test not only the look and feel, but the comfort, breathability and ease of movement before providing feedback.
Westwood did not have an easy challenge on her hands: 7,500 crew members wear the uniform in hot and cold climates around the world and the design needed to cater for all needs. For the guys, the suits have been made using fabrics with cutting-edge nano-technology that enables clothing to retain its colour and look pristine for longer.
The new uniforms have been developed with Closed Loop Recylicng in mind and have been made using recycled materials, including recycled suits and bags for the ground staff which will be produced for Virgin through the Ethical Africa Programme, in collaboration with the International Trade Centre.
