Tour Couture: Fashion Hits the Travel Industry

Where did you get that stunning uniform?  This is not a question that escapes our lips on an airplane, in a hotel or on a cruise ship, but the more fashion is evolving the more cruise lines, hotels and airlines are breaking out of their military-style digs and looking to world-class designers for inspiration. 

So without further do here are eight companies of the travel industry that reflect their elegance and style with fashion-forward uniforms made to upstage the most glitzy guest.

Silversea Cruises

Where do you go when you want to make the biggest fashion statement or all time? To the Instituto Europe di Design in Italy which is Milan’s prestigious fashion school.

Topping this fashion-forward list are the new “haute couture” uniforms Silversea Cruises debuted this year during a fashion show aboard the Silver Wind.  The new designs feature natural materials that are elegantly coordinated in grey, white, blue and black to reflect the professionalism on board its ships, while stylishly complementing Silversea Cruises reputable image.   

By paying close attention to the specific needs and the responsibilities of the cruise line’s variety of attendants, both women and men will be able to work comfortably and look good in the process.  When the fashion world of Milan is by your side, every employee onboard should feel as royal as their guests.  

Qantas Airline

Dressed in an exquisite French-style navy trench coat, supermodel Miranda Kerr, who is also the ambassador for the Australian flag-carrier airline, walked the runway to unveil Qantas’ new line of uniforms. 35 different pieces were created by Martin Grant, a Melbourne-born designer renowned for his intricate tailoring techniques. 

Paying close attention to Qantas world-famous logo, the lapels of the “inspector gadget” styled trench-coats as well as the shirt vents dynamically flaunt the red triangle emblem of the airline.  Also incorporating colors of hot pink, red and French navy to the new uniforms profoundly represent the chic, modern and trendy look the designer and the airline were both seeking.

Holland America Line

As the recipient of this year’s Image of the Year Award (IOY), Holland America Line has made a great splash with its stylish vessels and employee uniforms to match. Its dining room, wine and housekeeping attendants have all hit the waterways with new threads that strongly demonstrate the elegance the cruise line is known for. 

The designers of Cintas, who became inspired when they made a visit to one of its ships, created pieces that would make a fashion statement while crew members catered to their guests’ every need.  Dining room attendants shine in white or blazers or buttoned-up collared shirts with black pants, wine attendants now sport new vests with a crisp white shirt tucked into their black pants and housekeeping are dressed in light blue and black zippered shirts.

Singapore Airlines

Photo courtesy of Wikipedia

The airplane is the ultimate catwalk for the "Singapore Girl" as she floats down the aisle in her beautiful Sarong Kebaya.  The outfit has been a staple for Singapore Airlines for years and continues to stand out by diverting from the typical business attire female flight attendants usually wear. 

Intricately decorated with woven designs of different colors, the Sarong Kebaya was revamped by courtier designer Pierre Balmain of France and tailor-made to accentuate the figure of every flight attendant accurately.  There’s no mistaking a "Singapore Girl," who can also be seen in advertising campaigns for the airline company as well, especially since her iconic wardrobe has been a fashion classic for decades.

Sofitel So Bangkok

Who says all uniforms have to be one boring color? Well, at Sofitel So Bangkok it’s all about vibrant colors, which drastically dominate the hotel’s entire spaces as well as the clothing of its staff members. Created by Christian Lacroix, beautiful elements are added to the uniforms that contribute to the warmness flowing throughout its atmosphere.

From colorful flirty skirts and bold sweaters to flower-inspired dresses, you’ll definitely want to wear your Sunday’s best if you don’t want to be upstaged by Sofitel’s staff.  But even if you aren’t dressed to impressed, you’ll instantly become mesmerized by the brilliant colors and textures worn by the hotel’s employees.

Viking River Cruises

Flawlessly ironed white shirts tucked into formal black pants or shirts and fashioned with a red scarf worn around the neck or tie complete the outfit of Vikings River Cruises. And with every detail of its vessels meticulously designed, it’s no wonder the uniforms of this river cruise line are as immaculate as the ships themselves. 

You’d want to be an employee onboard Viking too in order to wear its trendy outfit while sailing the waterways just to sail the waterways in style. Whether you’re a bartender of dressed as a chef, the signature red emblem of the river cruise line can be seen on and off shore.

Korean Air

When you’re flying with Korean Air, high-end fashion doesn’t only sit in first class but all throughout the plane.  That’s because these trendy attendants grace the in-flight experience with celadon blue collar blouses barely hidden by cream-colored blazers and form-fitting skirts or pants. 

The outfit is also heightened with a chopstick-infused hair piece that is neatly secured right the air hostess’ bun as well as neck scarves. With the colors of blues, whites and creams decorating Korean Air’s attendants, it seems like they are blending in with the clear blue skies often conquered by the airlines. 

And with a name like Gianfranco Ferre behind this fashion statement, Korean Air is a flying world of high-end couture.

W Hotel London

By the way these staff members are dressed it seems like they have big plans to hit the town of London instead of delivering superb service.  Thanks to the Uniform Studio, the employees of London’s W Hotel can work in style since the designers have seamlessly incorporated the fashion sense of the city while creating a versatile outfit that blends in perfectly with its nightlife as well. 

Combining the chic styles of SoHo with materials from Savile Row, men and women supervisors are decked out in tailored suits, waitresses flaunting their curves in little black dresses and waiters dressed to the nines in all black. Distinguishing between the guest and the employees may be a bit difficult because their uniforms are so trendy you'll definitely be wondering where you can buy W Hotel London’s style.