Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has chosen fashion designer Hassan Sheheryar Yasin, widely known as HSY, to create its new cabin crew uniforms. The national flag carrier announced the selection on Thursday, and the new outfits are scheduled to enter service on October 31.
According to the airline, the uniforms will first be worn on the inaugural London-to-Islamabad flight of PIA’s newly acquired Boeing 787 Dreamliner. In a social media post, PIA framed the project as a return of runway glamour to the skies and said the carrier had officially picked the couturier to shape the new look of its crew.
Karachi showcase and judging panel for the new uniforms
The selection follows a showcase in Karachi last month, where 10 leading Pakistani designers and fashion houses presented concepts for the airline’s new uniforms. A panel of fashion industry figures and an experienced PIA aviation professional assessed the designs.
Also read: PIA begins interviews for air hostess recruitment in Karachi
The participating designers were:
- Maheen Khan
- Deepak and Fahad
- Generation
- Ismail Farid
- Munib Nawaz
- Deepak Perwani
- Faraz Manan
- Amir Adnan
- HSY
- Nomi Ansari
The judging panel included Shamoon Sultan, founder and chief executive of Khaadi; couturier Nilofer Shahid; fashion and beauty expert Nabila; Hina Tayyaba Khalil, vice-chancellor of the Pakistan Institute of Fashion and Design; and Naseem Tehrani, a PIA veteran with 33 years of aviation experience.
PIA described the new uniforms as designed for long-haul durability and ease of movement. The airline said they use breathable fabrics and structured tailoring to suit the practical demands of cabin crew work.
Yasin said designing for the national carrier was about capturing collective pride and the warmth of Pakistani hospitality. He added that the designs drew on Pakistan’s heritage while bringing in contemporary fashion, and that comfort and confidence for crew members were central considerations.
A long tradition of designer uniforms at PIA
PIA has a long record of working with prominent designers to create a distinctive look for its cabin crew. In its post, the airline said it had long held a tradition of linking commercial aviation with world-class fashion.
The airline said French designer Pierre Cardin created its pioneering A-line tunic and hood in 1966. That design became closely tied to PIA’s international image. In the 1970s, Sir Hardy Amies, who was known for his work for Queen Elizabeth II, added refined tailoring to the airline’s legacy.
Pakistani designers later continued the tradition. The airline said Nomi Ansari’s uniform design served PIA for 12 years. The current uniforms were introduced in 2016 after a design initiative that involved local fashion professionals, including Nomi Ansari and Sania Maskatiya.
Ownership change and public reaction to the showcase
The uniform decision comes as PIA moves into a new phase following the transfer of management control to PIA Equity Limited, the special purpose vehicle of the Arif Habib-led consortium, on June 29. PIA’s official company profile says PIA Equity Limited holds a 66.67 per cent stake in the airline, while PIA Holding Company Limited holds the remaining 33.33 per cent.
The airline is also working to expand its international operations, including more flights to London. The latest change is part of an effort to refresh its image.
PIA’s September uniform showcase drew discussion on social media. Some users welcomed the design initiative, while others called for greater attention to aircraft maintenance, operational reliability and passenger service. The new uniforms will mark another change in the visual identity of the national carrier, whose cabin crew attire has long been part of its public image.
