Take Flight in Style: Air India's Stunning New Uniforms by Designer Manish Malhotra

On Tuesday, December 12, Tata Sons-owned Air India introduced new uniforms for its cockpit and cabin crew, months after revealing a new logo and fleet livery.

In September of this year, the airline announced a collaboration with Indian designer Manish Malhotra to create the new uniforms. The uniforms will be phased in over the next few months, beginning with the induction into service of Air India's first Airbus A350.

In a statement, the airline's communiqué, “Crafted by Indian celebrity couturier Manish Malhotra, the new uniforms feature an array of colors and timeless designs. The collection mirrors a rare, harmonious blend of rich Indian heritage and aesthetics with 21st-century style, elegance, and comfort.”

The female cabin crew wears ombré sarees with designs inspired by Indian heritage architecture (jharokha) and the Vista (the new Air India trademark emblem), which are matched with a comfy blouse and blazer. The ready-to-wear sarees can be paired with comfy trousers for an 'East-meets-West' style.

Campbell Wilson, CEO & MD of Air India, said, “Air India's crew uniforms are amongst the world’s most storied in aviation history, and we firmly believe that Manish Malhotra's innovative ensemble will script an exciting new chapter for Air India's future narrative. It perfectly captures the essence of our new identity, service principles, and our pursuit of setting new benchmarks in global aviation. We are confident that our new crew uniforms will rise to the heightened expectations, distinctly making a statement that defines the very best of Indian heritage and hospitality. Travelers across continents will be able to instantly recognize these uniforms as the new Air India.”

The senior female cabin crew will wear eggplant-to-burgundy ombré sarees with aubergine blazers to exude power and sophistication. Junior female cabin crew will wear brilliant red-to-purple ombré sarees with red blazers to represent youth and vitality.

"My goal was to create uniforms that capture the essence of India's diverse culture and traditions while also embodying a modern and sophisticated look," Manish Malhotra stated. I think that by adding iconic Indian colors, these uniforms not only make the crew proud but also create a lasting impact on the guests, exhibiting the warmth and hospitality that India is known for."

The airline believes that the new outfits for both male and female cabin crew are practical and appropriate for in-flight activities, allowing for greater mobility. The new uniform designs were created in collaboration with Air India's cabin crew members and the In-flight Services team.

The uniform of the cockpit crew is a black double-breasted suit with a Vista pattern. Female cabin personnel will be dressed in dual-tone (black and burgundy) block heels, while male cabin crew will be dressed in comfy black Brogues. For female cabin staff, the costumes feature pearl earrings and sling purses. Manish Malhotra has also created uniforms for ground people, engineers, and security personnel, which will be shown in due course.

#thecommuniquenews #thecommunique #tcn #tc #art #AirIndia #newuniform #ManishMalhotra

The NGMA of the Culture Ministry will house the valuable 'Maharaja Collection' of Air India artworks

Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia, Union Minister of Civil Aviation and Steel, and Shri G. Kishan Reddy, Union Minister of Culture, Tourism, and Development of the North-Eastern Region, were present at the collection's handover ceremony.

The Air India Collection's modern and contemporary artworks include works acquired and commissioned by artists such as B Prabha, Shankar Palsikar, Lakshman Pai, Vasudev Gaitonde, M F Husain, and Arpana Caur, among others.

M/o Culture's National Gallery of Modern Art will house the valuable 'Maharaja Collection' of Air India artworks. An MoU for the transfer of the artworks to the NGMA was signed today at the NGMA headquarters in New Delhi. Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia, Union Minister of Civil Aviation and Steel, and Shri G. Kishan Reddy, Union Minister of Culture, were present at the MoU signing ceremony. The MoU was signed by Smt. Mugdha Sinha, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Culture, and Shri Satyendra Kumar Mishra, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation; Director NGMA Smt Temsunaro Tripathi, Air India Asset Holding Limited (AIAHL) CMD Shri Vikram Dev Dutt, and Ms Kalpana Rao, representative of Air India Ltd. Shri Rajiv Bansal, Secretary of Civil Aviation, and Shri Govind Mohan, Secretary of Culture, were also present.

Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister of Civil Aviation and Steel, Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia, stated that India has a 5,000-year history that has been fueled by spiritual forces and moral values. He stated that the Prime Minister has emphasised not only India's economic power but also its cultural renaissance on the global stage.

According to the Minister, Air India was a pioneer in its field. They were not only able to fly the Indian flag high in the sky, showcasing India's capabilities, but they were also able to serve as ambassadors of Indian heritage and culture. He praised JRD Tata for his foresight and role as a pioneer. He stated that the exhibits being handed over to the NGMA do not only include modern art masterpieces, but also a diverse range of exquisite handloom, sculptures, and other art pieces.

In his remarks on the occasion, Union Minister Shri G. Kishan Reddy stated that the historic MoU transfers the priceless artefacts collection of Air India since 1953 to the NGMA of the Ministry of Culture. The paintings and artworks will now be returned to their rightful home at the National Gallery of Modern Art, according to the Minister. Shri Kishan Reddy explained that, in line with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's vision, the Culture Ministry is working hard to preserve its culture, bring it to the people's attention, and strengthen ties with the youth. The Culture Ministry is constantly working in accordance with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of "Vikaas Bhi Viraasat Bhi," he added. Air India and the Ministry of Civil Aviation have worked hard to preserve and protect these valuable artworks, and I pledge that we will do so for future generations, the Minister said. He also revealed that the collection will be shown to art enthusiasts in the near future. He also stated that it will be made available to audiences worldwide via innovative digital interfaces. He thanked M/o Civil Aviation and Air India for their significant contributions to the NGMA's art treasure.

Air India acquired and collected a massive number of valuable artworks from around the world during its eighty-year journey as a commercial airline, including paintings, sculptures, wooden carvings, glass paintings, decorative items, textile art, photographs, and other objects. These works of art will be added to the NGMA collection.

The decision by the Ministry of Culture to purchase the priceless collection and transfer it from the Air India Building at Nariman Point in Mumbai to the National Gallery of Modern Art is historic.

The Air India Collection includes acquired and commissioned work by artists such as B Prabha, Shankar Palsikar, Lakshman Pai, Vasudev Gaitonde, M F Husain, S H Raza, K H Ara, and other founders of the Progressive Art Movement such as the pioneering artist Hari Ambadas Gade. It also includes works of art by living legends such as Anjolie Ela Menon and Jatin Das, which will add to the NGMA collection.

#thecommunique #tc #tcn #art #NGMA #MaharajaCollection #AirIndia