1986 Carven
IA C
N
N
R
R H C
20
05
IS
TI
A
C
IS
LA
C
TÓ
R
B
O
A
L
IX
B
A
LE
19
69
G
A
1978 Carven
an entire wardrobe with pieces that female employees could mix and match. Then in 2005, Christian Lacroix took the Air France uniform to a whole new level. Declaring that he wanted “to invent a new universe, a cross between two worlds that are strongly associated with dreams, the world of flight and the world of fashion,” he launched a line of more than 100 items for the airline’s 36,000 staff members— including 25,000 women who by then included cockpit crew as well
as flight attendants and ground personnel. Lacroix’s variety of options in dresses, coats, slacks and accessories allows staffers to create a personal look—even if it stays within the familiar navy blue and light gray tones. His collection also offers Air France’s 11,000 male employees a few variations on the traditional double-breasted uniforms they have worn for years. It was the first time in the airline’s history that uniforms for both sexes were designed at the same time. So what happens to these chic wardrobes when Air France personnel retire? For security reasons, they are turned in and destroyed. –RF FRAN C E • FALL 2 0 1 3
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