Every detail of Air New Zealand’s new uniforms revealed

Friday, 11 April 2025

Her designs have been worn by royals, but now they’ll be taken to new heights as the Emilia Wickstead-designed Air New Zealand uniforms are revealed.

At an event in Auckland on Thursday night, the new garments were unveiled with inspiration from New Zealand featuring heavily in the design.

The dress, in a deep purple, features a kōwhai print symbolising protection, responsibility, and belonging. The shirt, designed to be worn by any cabin crew or ground staff, has purapura whetū, patterns which represent the stars and the people of a nation.

An ie faitaga, a more formal version of a lavalava, has been added to the uniform to be trialled by Pasifika team members.

“I think it was really important to think about everyone at Air New Zealand,” Wickstead told Stuff Travel.

“My father is also Polynesian, so maybe instinct I didn't realise, but I think that we're thinking of a wide group of different individuals and making sure that everyone has something that they feel comfortable in that they want to wear.”

A new waistcoat for male crew members either has a kākā feather print or a pepeha print. A trench coat with a purple pinstripe also makes up the collection.

New designs for pilots included a pinstriped suit with a kiwi feather print lining, symbolising leadership and prestige.

Wickstead said she wanted it to be like when someone puts on a korowai, a Māori cloak, and the mana they get when they wear it.

Each print on the uniform has been hand-drawn by tā moko artist Te Rangitu Netana (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Wai and Te Arawa) and tells a story of the indigenous heritage, history and culture of Aotearoa and reflects Air NZ’s values.

“The patterns on this uniform are a reflection of the land, the sea, and the connections that bind us all as Kiwi. As a Māori artist on the world stage, I feel a deep responsibility in ensuring our culture is represented in a way that is authentic and meaningful. I’m proud that these designs have found a place in Air New Zealand’s uniform, bringing te ao Māori to designs that show up all over the world,” he said.

Wickstead said Netana’s artistry and profound connection to te ao Māori had enriched every design element with cultural richness and storytelling.

“I knew that I wanted to collaborate with a Māori artist. I'm not Māori, and it was very important to do things right.

“We want New Zealanders to feel proud and that's really how it all came about. There's a lot of love behind these prints,” she said.

The striking prints on the outfits are embellished with intricate details. All of the shirts have Matariki stars stitched onto the sleeves, while the managers have a huia feather.

“I love the Matariki stars. I think that that represents so much, and of course, it's very important for Māori culture and our heritage, but also just all the things that it represents when you think about wellness, when you think about gathering of people.

“They're beautiful in what they signify, but also where they were placed. The idea of this being on your sleeve, wearing your heart on your sleeve. If you're a manager, you have the huia feather. You earned that. The idea is that you would unpick the embroidery in years to come when you retire and you keep that forever.”

The new outfits will be worn by the airline’s 6000 staff from next year and replace the Dame Trelise Cooper-designed pink, blue and green uniforms they have been wearing since 2011.

Wickstead’s design, which she knew print would play a big part in, needed to stand the test of time.

'One thing that I was very much inspired by was Yves Saint Laurent for Christian Dior that designed the first Air New Zealand uniforms. You look at those, and if everyone was wearing them today, they would still be standing the test of time and they would still feel tasteful and they wouldn't have dated, in my opinion, so for me, that's very important with this uniform.

“It was integral for me that if I was going to have print that needed to showcase and talk about our heritage, our Māori culture, who we are as a country, our mana… and if I didn't do that, that absolutely would not have made sense.

“There are so many beautiful stories, stories that people don't even necessarily know and so the idea behind this is that you hope that people from all over the world will fly with Air New Zealand and ask and talk about that it's not just a print that I've put on to these pieces, but it's actually so much more than that.”

Air NZ began its search for the designer of its new uniforms in May 2023 before Wickstead was announced as the successful designer in November of that year.

Wickstead said she had been talking to the airline even earlier than that.

'When I first did my very first pitch it was completely different. It was after the pandemic that we all came together again, but I have presented something quite different.

“There were so many different options and so many different designs that we could have gone with because it's such an opportunity to showcase beautiful design, beautiful print and put New Zealand on a global stage.

“There were quite a few different necklines and silhouettes but this is the one that we ended up with.

“Once I had been chosen, I flew around all of the different airports of New Zealand and spoke to the team and I think that it was really important. I kept saying this is all about you guys, this is about the people, because at the end of the day you've got to wear it for long haul flights, short haul flights, backwards and forwards and you've got to feel comfortable in your own skin.”

Everything has been considered for functionality, from the pilots’ sleeve length, the room around the neck and the trousers have adjustable elastic to change the size. The tui knot on the shirts and dresses comes undone when going to sleep.

“I couldn't take away the stripes of the pilot's jacket and things like that because obviously that represents something for a pilot, but that would never have been my intention.”

Wickstead follows a line of famous designers whose uniform designs have become part of the airline’s history, including Christian Dior (1961), Nina Ricci (1976), Barbara Lee (1992) and Zambesi (2005).

The New Zealand-born, London-based fashion designer is internationally recognised, having launched her namesake brand in London in 2008. Her designs have been worn by members of the royal family, including the Princess of Wales.

“I always say that whoever we dress and wherever we dress somebody it always has a different feeling and meaning behind it,” Wickstead said.

“The biggest success story of all is when someone wears your design and you see them light up or you see them feel proud and you see them feel empowered, because I think we sometimes forget how powerful clothing can be.

“So I say it's as important dressing someone on the red carpet as it is seeing someone picking up their coat from a coat check, and it's an Emilia Wickstead, and putting it on and how it makes them feel.”

Wickstead said feedback from staff who have already seen and tried on the uniform had been positive.

“The response has been great, but I keep joking, well of course they're gonna tell me that.

“When we went to do the shoot in Queenstown… There was a lot of emotion at the shoot and that was really beautiful. I was crying, they were crying.

“I'm very proud of it and it feels like a very strong meaningful collection.”

Air NZ chief executive Greg Foran said the new uniform represents the best of the airline and the country.

“For us, this is more than just a uniform. It is a celebration of our people, our culture, and our values. Air New Zealand has never been about standing still or blending in. We have a tradition of being bold, showcasing what makes us unique, and celebrating our team members. Our new uniform encapsulates everything we stand for – a combination of innovation, rich cultural heritage, and a deep sense of pride and belonging.”

Air NZ staff will trial the uniform on board next month. After a period of testing and feedback from uniform wearers across the airline, the new uniform will be rolled out across Air NZ’s network from 2026.