KARACHI: With innovation and renovation now being a keyword with the national flag carrier, Pakistan International Airlines finally undertook the gargantuan task of conducting an image makeover for its cabin crew.

PIA flight stewardesses and stewards have long been the subject of fascination for starry-eyed adventurous job seekers and passengers alike. The change in uniform over the years has always made media headlines, a trend that has not faded away with time and continues to gain strength with each successive image makeover. With huge shoes to fill of their predecessors, including the likes of the internationally renowned Pierre Cardin, 16 top names in fashion design envisioned their take on the PIA uniform and produced it at a ramp show on Monday to field professionals from aviation, fashion design, media among others. The designers included Amir Adnan and Huma Adnan, Nomi Ansari, Shamaeel Ansari, Sonya Battla, Nida Azwer, Ismail Farid, Omar Farooq of Republic, Fahad Hussayn, Maheen Karim, Maheen Khan, Misha Lakhani, Sania Maskatiya, Yasmeen Sheikh, Shamoon Sultan, Ali Xeeshan and Hasan Sheheryar Yasin (HSY).

The designs were divided into four prominent categories: cap, coat, menswear and women’s wear. Each designer showed a select number of designs with signature looks keeping in mind the directives provided by the PIA management. Designer and revivalist Bunto Kazmi had the distinction of overlooking the entire process from start to finish while a panel of judges was selected to evaluate the designs on the ramp including cuts based on cultural acceptance. The judges panel comprised leading names such as Tariq Amin, Zeba Bakhtiar, Seema Iftekhar, Shahnaz Ismail, Naz Mansha, Rabya Javeri and Shakeel Saigol. Also present among the audience was Mrs Noor Khan.

The extensive presentation featured capsule collections, each preceded by a show reel focusing on the designer’s vision and style philosophy. At the end of it, Atiqa Odho came on stage to deliver a token of thanks and invited Shujaat Azeem, adviser to the prime minister on aviation, to give awards to the participating designers, judges and Mr and Mrs Shahnoor Ahmed (Spectrum).

Speaking on the occasion, PIA chairman Nasser N. Jaffer said their aim was to make the airline’s performance dependable with stronger focus on safety, cleanliness and other visible and not so visible changes so that PIA could truly lead the way, including the induction of 15 new aircraft in its fleet. “We stand committed to making it really happen, and to be able to say ‘PIA – Great People to Fly With,” he said.

After an extended wait, the designers who were chosen for the look of 2015 were: Sania Maskatiya (cap), Yasmeen Sheikh (coat), Omar Farooq (menswear) and Nomi Ansari (women’s wear).

The hair and make-up of the models was by Nabila N-Pro with Frieha Altaf (Catwalk) for choreography.

Published in Dawn, March 17th, 2015

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