Aerospace Bristol is hosting The Fashion of Flight, an exhibition tracing the evolution of British Airways cabin crew uniforms from the 1940s to today.
Open until 17 November, the display includes an array of uniforms from British Airways and its predecessors, highlighting changes in both fashion and aviation history over the decades.
Daphne Oldfield, a retired British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) crew member and Aerospace Bristol volunteer, shared memories of her own uniform journey.
She recalled her first uniform, a raspberry pink mini dress, as “a little sassy” with a zip-up front and a belt.
Oldfield also humorously recounted the paper dresses once issued for the Caribbean routes, which crew members could cut to their preferred length.
The exhibition showcases iconic designs, such as the 1950s BOAC uniform by Maurice Helman, the 1955 BOAC Cheongsam, and the 1967 British European Airways uniform by royal dressmaker Sir Hardy Amies.
Amy Seadon, Aerospace Bristol’s head of collections, said the exhibit captures “the transition from high fashion to practical functionality” in cabin crew attire, illustrating broader societal shifts through fashion.
Supported by British Airways, The Fashion of Flight offers visitors a unique glimpse into the cultural and historical impact of cabin crew uniforms, enhancing a day out at Aerospace Bristol with a blend of style, service, and aviation heritage.
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