Happy Birthday Qantas! Australia’s flag carrying airline turns 95 today. To celebrate, we’re taking a look back at the rich visual history of the brand. Over nearly a century, Qantas have collaborated with some of the world’s greatest names in art and design, from legendary fashion designers to the cream of the product design world. With thanks to the Qantas archives, here’s a look back at some of the most momentous design moments.
The first major uniform, in use 1948 – 1959, was inspired by post-war fashion:
Flights to London in the 1950s featured luxurious onboard sleepers:
And first class cabins offered travellers other luxuries:
From 1959, the influence of the New Look was apparent, while in 1964 uniforms began to look modernised:
Paule also designed the uniforms in use between 1969 and 1971, using Qantas’ signature red. A twin set with lavish gold buttons and red berets were produced:
Gents were offered luxury too, with these onboard shavers!
1974 saw the introduction of a bold blue uniform:
…while the Boeing 747 First Class lounge in 1971 offered an insight into the glamorous travel of the 1970s…
Pucci, no stranger to designing airline style, was drafted in in 1974 to create a range of vibrant looks for cabin crew, which included tropical print skirts for women and a variety of brightly coloured tailored jackets for men:
The baton then fell to fashion legend Yves Saint Laurent, who designed this range of clothing for Qantas staff. The first uniform design to provide items across the board, Yves produced outerwear to compliment his cabin crew designs:
George Cross and Harry Who designed these understated uniforms for use between 1994 and 2003:
In 2003, Australian designer Peter Morrisey offered this national pattern printed on fine silks, with hints of heritage:
2008’s business lounge featured now iconic lighting by Mooi:
Famed designer Marc Newsom designed the current First lounge in Sydney:
And lastly, Qantas’ current uniforms, designed by Australian born, Paris-based designer Martin Grant: