Korean Air exhibits 40 years of stewardess style in the sky

Industry

Korean Air exhibits 40 years of stewardess style in the sky

Published: 16 Mar. 2009, 21:58

Celebrating the 40th anniversary of the airline, Korean Air introduces cabin crew members in the 11 different uniforms worn since its founding in 1969 at Incheon International Airport, yesterday. Provided by Korean Air

Since the days of Pan Am and its clippers, the airline stewardess has always enjoyed an international mystique. And few know that better than Korean Air, one of the world’s top 20 airlines, operating almost 400 passenger flights per day to 116 cities in 39 countries. As part of the celebration of its 40th anniversary of civil aviation, the airline put on a flying showcase of the evolution of its stylish uniforms worn since 1969.

A group of 20 flight attendants in 11 different uniforms from KAL’s past departed for Los Angeles yesterday afternoon to greet and serve passengers. The airline is also scheduled to showcase uniforms on its flights to and from Haneda Airport in Tokyo on March 22, Singapore on March 24, Beijing on March 29, Paris on March 31, Hong Kong on April 9 and Sydney on April 13.

The mixing of the 11 cabin crew uniforms on board will, Korean Air hopes, be pleasantly nostalgic for passengers.

Korean Air’s first-ever stewardess uniform, in 1969, was a combination of a crimson-red skirt with a collarless blouse, popular in the late-1960s here. Uniforms got bolder in 1970 as celebrated singer Yoon Bok-hee introduced miniskirts on national television. With the Asian Games in 1986 and the Seoul Olympic Games in 1988, the uniform took on a more modern look.

For the 14 years starting in 1991, the uniform was navy blue, until 2005, when world-class Italian designer Gianfranco Ferre designed the jade green and beige uniform still worn today.

“Our cabin crew uniforms are an essential element of our brand and style and symbolize the evolution of our airline to become one of the world’s leading international carriers,” said Yang Ho-cho, Korean Air chairman and CEO, yesterday. “The development of our distinctive and fashionable crew uniform designs is also a visual symbol of our commitment to ‘excellence in flight.’”

By Lee Eun-joo Staff Reporter [angie@joongang.co.kr]