Australia’s flying kangaroo is getting a fashion-forward makeover. Qantas has announced that marie claire’s designer of the year 2023 Rebecca Vallance will helm the airline’s first major uniform overhaul in more than a decade, ushering in a new era for the national carrier as it prepares for its ambitious Project Sunrise flights and the largest fleet renewal in its history.
The choice of Vallance, known for her polished, red-carpet ready tailoring and modern take on femininity, signals a shift towards a sharper, more contemporary image for the airline. The new looks will be unveiled in 2027, replacing the current Martin Grant design that debuted in 2014. They join an illustrious design lineage that has included Yves Saint Laurent, Emilio Pucci, and Peter Morrissey.
But this is more than just a wardrobe update. Earlier this year, Qantas surveyed its 17,500-strong workforce – including cabin crew, engineers, pilots, and ground staff – on the everyday realities of their uniforms. Feedback on durability, comfort, and functionality will form the backbone of Vallance’s creative process, blending practicality with her signature sleek aesthetic. The result promises to be as wearable on a long-haul flight as it is iconic on the global stage.
Qantas Group CEO Vanessa Hudson emphasised the symbolism of the redesign. “Our uniform represents the Qantas spirit all over the world,” she said. “We want the new uniform to reflect the pride our team feel when they wear it, and this redesign is a collaborative journey that will be shaped by our people every step of the way.”
For Vallance, the appointment is nothing short of career-defining. “To be entrusted with this redesign is a huge milestone,” she said. “I am looking forward to creating something iconic, yet wearable, while celebrating the people who make this airline such a beloved part of Australia’s story.”
With the airline’s biggest transformation in decades underway – 20 new Airbus A321XLRs on order and Project Sunrise ultra-long-haul flights in the pipeline – the uniform refresh feels like a fitting metaphor: a visual expression of modern Australia ready to take on the world. Expect sharp silhouettes, modern sophistication, and a renewed sense of national pride at 35,000 feet.
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