Ghanaian born British Designer, Ozwald Boateng to design new uniforms for British Airways
1st October 2018
Ozwald Boateng
Airline giants, British Airways, have tapped in the experience of celebrated Ghanaian born British tailor Ozwald Boateng to redesign the uniforms of the staff of the Airline.
The new uniform will form part of the airline’s celebrations for its centenary next year.
Boateng, who is known for bringing a modern contemporary twist to British institution launched his first womenswear collection earlier this year, will be designing a collection for the airline’s 32,000 employees who wear a uniform as part of their role.
In a statement, British Airways stated that the OBE-honoured designer would 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.
The Boateng-designed uniforms will be worn by flight crew, cabin crew, customer service agents, special services, ramp operators, baggage handlers, cargo employees, and engineers.
British Airways chairman and chief executive, Alex Cruz, said in a press statement: “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.”
Ozwald 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.”
Ozwald started his career in fashion in 1986 and became the first tailor to host a catwalk show at Paris Fashion Week. As well as being the youngest tailor to open a store in Savile Row, Ozwald was the Creative Director at Givenchy Homme from 2002 to 2006.
Boateng, who launched his first womenswear collection this year, 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.