American hires Hollywood fashion designers to create new uniforms for its employees

Kim Kardashian at the 2011 Grammys in a dress by KAUFMANFRANCO, who has been hired by American to design new uniforms for its employees. (Photo from The Associated Press).

First, it was a new paint job for its planes.

Now, American Airlines plans to redesign its employees' uniforms.

On Friday, the Fort Worth-based carrier announced that it has hired fashion designers Ken Kaufman and Isaac Franco to design the new look. The duo's design firm, KAUFMANFRANCO, has outfitted several Hollywood stars for award shows, including Kim Kardashian's 2011 Grammys outfit.

American said it has not changed its flight attendants, pilots and customer service agents' uniforms in more than 20 years.

"These uniforms represent one more step toward building the new American," said Denise Lynn, the carrier's senior vice president of people. "We're especially excited about the collaborative nature of this project, giving our people a role in the process to develop uniforms that will be both functional and fashionable."

The carrier said the design firm will develop the new uniforms with flight attendants, agents and premium service team members. The design process will take 18 months witih the new uniforms rolled out within two years.

"We plan to mix the elegance of American's rich fashion heritage and incredible style with today's cutting-edge technology," Ken Kaufman said in a statement.

American said fleet service workers will also get new uniforms from a different vendor later this year.

-Andrea Ahles

 

Comments

[whitey]

are the new uniforms going to be just like uncle sam.can,t wait to see this one.if it,s anything like the new paint scheme then we have a complete circus show.

[dbrasco]

What about the guys in maintenance! You know, the mechanics who is responsible for making the pilots and flight attendant safe. Lol the red headed step child of the bunch.

[JUAN]

Buying new planes,new uniforms...more money wasted but what about medical benefits and other things that employees and retiree needs.

[Sammie Sawee]

So this means the merger with USAir is completely off now?

[ACitizen]

It would be nice if they had just ONE employee who looks like the picture above, instead of like a cross between Rhea Perlman and Phillis Diller.

[AAsucks]

Cheap cintas-like FSC crAAp!

sAAtan lives at 4333 Amon Carter

[whitey]

HEY ANDREA.DON,T YOU WISH YOU LOOKED LIKE THIS? WELL AT LEAST YOU CAN GET YOUR TEXAS HAIR CUT DONE.

[lauren]

I hope they go in the Star Trek direction.