TRAVELING IN STYLE.....New Hainan Airlines Couture Flight Attendant Uniforms

TRAVELING IN STYLE.....New Hainan Airlines Couture Flight Attendant Uniforms

Welcome to First Class: Model in Paris showing one of the newest looks from Chinese designer Laurence Xu Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2017 show which will be part of the new Hainan Airlines uniforms

Last week was the Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week where many top fashion houses the likes of Dior, Valentino and Chanel showcased their latest bespoke one-of-a-kind (or sometimes for two, three or four very,very, very rich clients around the world!) couture creations.

Laurence Xu Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2017

Shandong China-born, Paris-based designer Laurence Xu also showed his latest Haute Couture offerings last week. His collection, shown at the the ballroom at the InterContinental Paris Le Grand, combined elements of Chinese high glamour with contemporary stylings. 

But it wasn't his collection that made news, it was the news that he was picked to design the latest uniforms for Hainan Airlines, People's Republic of China's largest civilian-run airline and 4th largest in terms of its fleet size. Xu showed several of these Hainan Airlines uniforms designs as part of his Haute Couture collection. 

 Suited Cheongsam Glamour--Hainan Airlines Laurence Xu Haute Couture uniforms

Capelet Chic: Flight attendant Couture from Laurence Xu-designed Haiana Airlines uniforms shown at Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week

Normally these designs would probably cost in the high thousands (normally a true Haute Couture suit--from the likes of French fashion houses of Christian Dior or Chanel--could set a client back about $50,000 while an evening gown, $100,000), but since these will go into mass production for many flight attendants and airline staff, one assumes these will actually not be true Haute Couture--even though their origins were.

Coffee, Tea, or COUTURE: New uniforms for Hainan Airlines from Laurence Xu Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2017/2018

The uniforms that were showcased combine elements of classical, Far East aesthetics and the silhouette of a modern Western suit. Styles included the traditional Cheongsam Chinese dress, featuring 3/4-length sleeves, a print of clouds, skies and birds, as well as a knee-length curved hem. The curving style lines were also seen in the front part of the dress. 

The new Hainan Airlines Laurence Xu Haute Couture-designed flight attendant uniforms will also have a fabulously chic capelet coat that is reversible--gray on one side, raspberry colored on the other (Photo above).

There is also what is probably one of the most stylish aprons I have EVER seen on a flight attendant in the design of the  side-wrap draped look (model in the center, photo above). 

The men don't look too shabby either in their Nehru-collar-like suits and double breasted VERY wide lapeled coats (SOOO 80's/90's Retro!).

According to the press release, Hainan Airlines and the designer Laurence Xu began discussing the designs over two years ago, eventually going through more than 1,000 designs and more than one hundred samples of garments and accessories (yikes!). I love these designs, and especially like the mix of contemporary design with traditional Chinese styling. I also like the curved mini hats. 

Flight Attendant Best Dressed--Which one wins the Best Dressed Flight Attendant? (L to R) Gianfranco Ferre designed Korean Air uniform, Emirates Airline uniforms created by UK uniform manufacturer Simon Jersey, and the new Laurence Xu-designed uniforms for Hainan Airlines

I can't wait for a going-through-security FASHION RUNWAY UNIFORM airport terminal catwalk contest the next time I see those very chic Gianfranco Ferre-designed Korean Air or Emirates Airline  Simon Jersey-designed flight attendant's uniforms confronted by Hainan Airlines COUTURE. I hope I am there ready with my iPhone to get some photos!

Hello Goodbye Fashion Week

Hello Goodbye Fashion Week

Tuesday 14th March

We finally got around to checking out the gallery!

Sometimes leaving the house and interacting with people really sucks. We had one of those situations today. You know you suck at customer service when despite solving their problem you made them cry. 

Passionfruit Ginger Crumble $8

Vanilla custard, fresh banana, traditional butter 

burst biscuit, passionfuit cream, ginger oat topping

After a trip to the office/my safe place we went for ice cream, ginger & passion-fruit frozen custard, yum! I loved the tanginess of the passion fruit cream paired with NY cheese cake like crumbs and freshness of the ginger. At $8 it seems to be the standard for desserts these days, though I think they should be priced around $6. Service was excellent! I always seem to get the same waiter and he's very warm and friendly. The A is a reference to a show I used to like (too many filler episodes and the game was reset multiple times that now no one cares who A is).

Over to South Wharf for a Tuesday Dinner at Bangpop. Tuesday Special - $10 pad thai (save $6). We discovered this special last time, though we were already set on what we'd order. On this visit we didn't see it advertised on the wharf side.

Wednesday

Set on the Next Runway was the UK show, in the great outdoors! It's five degrees warmer than outside in the hall and so we were glad to be outside. A warm but gloomy day - my kinda day! Its been a heat wave lately. This was during fashion week outside the museum.

Back to main street for dinner, Oppa Korean. Somewhere new. Cheap and delicious though cash only. Quite amazing that they were open till 11pm on a Thursday night, we have mixed feelings about how it felt like a Wednesday out there. Review coming soon.

Friday

An afternoon with the dentist, a clean, scans and check cost $180! It hurts and now I can feel the gaps between my teeth. Why is life so painful?

Wrapping up the main and last fashion week of the festival, Myer hosted a runway. A small event as David Jones was a partner. Outside you could get your hair and makeup done, but as we came straight from the dentist we didn't have any time for exploring. Inside there was drinks, coffee, ice cream and a nail bar. We hit everything inside, yay! A full post is coming up soon.

Opened on May 28, 1878 at the Opera Comique HMS Pinafore is one of the most popular Gilbert and Sullivan operas! A "timeless social satire of everything from the ruling classes and institutions (and any kind of class system) to patriotism, politicians and the public
service, ... and the heroic (and sometimes pompous) nature of serious opera". 

A top 3/5 Gilbert and Sullivan classic along with pirates, gondoliers (saw last year with grandpa and the mikado (which was amazing). The classic baby swap in social ranking. Captain and the bf - visual plot hole is that the girl and her guy are similar age while the captain is her father... All three main couples get their happy ending of course. Sir Joseph marries his cousin. It's the Regency era. I love main girl's white empire dress! Heavily beaded. Great show, one that we can't wait to see again next month.

Saturday

By 2pm on a Saturday in our small little town all the restaurants were closed and shops were closing up. Only the iga was open. Rustica's opening up here within the year and we can't wait to add life to the town !

There is no sincerer love than the love of food - Mama Marija

On this particular Saturday we're heading over to market and lunch. Enjoy it while you still can! Because we've got more dental surgery coming up followed by a month on the liquid diet.

Conveniently we're in time for end of day deals! As we forget this was happening (in between shows and dental hell) we didn't bring bags or a Granny market trolley. But you'll need those, also a husband to help hold stuff while dive in. Bring cash, small notes.

Sunday

We went for a local dinner, over at the next town, we were going to go for Huxtaburger but they were out of chicken so we went for souvalakis instead. Any recommendations for Hawthorn/Glenferrie?

Ya Mena $11.50 & Chips $3.50 = $15

Soft sov wrap with my favourite chicken honey mustard, coriander (just a touch) and caramelized onions! It was perfect. This is the same one I had last time. For $15 I had a sov (bigger than Jimmy's) paired with feta/oregano fries it was a meal. Crispy chips, for $3.50 it's quite a good deal for chips (if you want fries, McD is down the street) especially as you have the option for them plain or with thee feta/oregano. They come in three sizes, the smallest is my medium. Medium is to be shared between two.

Royal Fashion Minute: Catherine Duchess of Cambridge Gives you Military Chic in Alexander McQueen Pre-Fall 2011

Royal Fashion Minute: Catherine Duchess of Cambridge Gives you Military Chic in Alexander McQueen Pre-Fall 2011

Salute Couture!

Soldier Girl: Catherine Duchess of Cambridge in Alexander McQueen Pre-Fall 2011

Over the weekend, on Saturday, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge--and yes, new wife of Prince William--stepped out with her Prince, attending the Irish Guards Medal Parade, in the Victoria Barracks, in London England. As usual, Catherine looked FANTASTIC (does she ever get it wrong??) in a Military-inspired (how apropos?) navy wool crepe double-breasted coat-dress with brass buttons and epaulets from Alexander McQueen's Pre-Fall 2011 Collection. On the original model--in the McQueen Look Book (on the right) it is not a dress but a coat with an open "cut-out" section. Of course it was customized for the Duchess!

Try Not To Be Excited Boys: Catherine Duchess of Cambridge, greeting the Irish Guards, Irish Guard Medal Parade, London England

Catherine accessorized her look with a golden Irish shamrock brooch, an Anya Hindmarch Marano clutch as well as a chic little matching pillbox hat with a looped ribbon and feather by Rachel Trevor-Morgan--the ribbon detail is VERY Korean Airlines flight attendant if I don't say so...(I just did!)

And lest we forget, Prince William also looked dashing in his Military uniform and coat!! Seriously! THAT is a COAT huney!!! It could have come straight from a McQueen Collection as well!!!!