Virgin America And Banana Republic Take Fashion To New Heights With Debut Of New Flight Crew Uniforms This Summer

SAN FRANCISCO and NEW YORK, July 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Virgin America and Banana Republic announced that this summer the airline will debut new Banana Republic-designed uniforms for the airline's 2,000 in-flight and airport teammates,  and pilots.  The uniforms will feature a fresh, modern look with aviation details and a palette inspired by the airline's own inventive service style and signature cabin design.  The runway-worthy looks will be unveiled on Virgin America flights and at airports nationwide on August 8, 2012 – the day the airline marks its fifth anniversary of operations.  Virgin America also will offer Banana Republic travel essentials inspired by the new uniforms, available to Virgin America flyers for a limited time via the airline's Red™ in-flight entertainment system Shop platform and in select Banana Republic stores beginning August 7, 2012. Full details and high-resolution photos of the new uniforms are available at: www.virginamerica.com/vx/newuniforms.  

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20090123/VIRGINAMERICALOGO)

"In creating the uniform designs for Virgin America, we wanted to respect the heritage of in-flight uniform design while injecting a modern twist that's both functional and fashionable," remarked Banana Republic Creative Director and Executive Vice President, Simon Kneen. "We referenced the time when onboard style and sophistication was of utmost importance and designed a modern interpretation that incorporates aviation details and celebrates Virgin America's signature style."

The uniform project was an 18-month process, involving ongoing design brainstorms among Kneen and Banana Republic designers, as well as informative focus groups and fit sessions with the airline's creative and brand teams, airport teammates, crew, and in-flight leadership.  The partnership also consisted of a unique internal "Design Challenge," in which Banana Republic designers competed for the coveted opportunity to create the uniform design. A behind-the-scenes video of the making of the new collection can be viewed here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdI-XBgJLqE&feature=youtu.be .

"The new uniforms were designed to be modern and sleek in keeping with the Virgin America brand and cabin design, but also needed to accommodate the unique work needs of teammates – such as the use of performance fabric for long travel days, stretch and extra room factored in to meet the demands of the airport and aircraft environment, and the creation of a variety of pieces for weather conditions all over the country," said Frances Fiorillo, senior vice president for People and In-Flight Services at Virgin America. "Banana Republic worked directly with our teammates to rise to this challenge and create uniforms that are ultra chic, durable and comfortable. It was a very tall order, and if the reaction of our teammates is any measure:  they more than over-delivered."

The uniforms feature an array of styles for Virgin America's pilots, in-flight and guest service teammates. For men, the nine styles include leather jackets, lined mac coats, striped sleeve sweaters, woven shirts and pants. For women, thirteen styles include a classic pencil skirt, slim dress, trousers, leather jacket and trench to start, paired with luxe silk print scarves, slim plaque belts and Virgin America-branded serving aprons for in-flight meal service. All looks include classic aviation touches, such as shoulder tabs and button chest pockets.  

Virgin America will also offer travelers a chance to upgrade their own style and get a piece of the newest high-flying on-the-go fashions with Banana Republic travel essentials, inspired by the new Virgin America uniform collection and available for a limited time to flyers via the airline's Red™ in-flight entertainment system shop platform.  The items, available for mail order purchase in-flight, include stylish aviator sunglasses, classic trenches for men and women, a chic leather tote and men's messenger bag.

"Since the golden age of jet-setting in the 1960s, in-flight fashion has often been elusive in the U.S., but we hope to bring a little of it back to the skies with these new designs," said Luanne Calvert, vice president of marketing at Virgin America.  "Even as a young airline just celebrating its fifth year in operations, continued investment in our design and overall guest experience is a priority for us.  These new uniforms really represent the next stage of evolution of in-flight fashion, incredibly practical and designed for the modern work world – but with a nod back to the stylish golden age of air travel." 

This is not the first time Virgin America and Banana Republic have partnered - past partnership highlights over the last few years include the first live-tweeted in-flight fashion show this past February and in-flight makeovers at 35,000 feet in 2010. 

To find out more, visit Banana Republic's Facebook page (www.facebook.com/BananaRepublic) or Virgin America's website (www.VirginAmerica.com) for details. You can also join the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag: #UpgradeYourStyle.

Additional assets are available at the link below.

Collection information and high-resolution images, including a behind-the-scenes video of the making of the collection: www.virginamerica.com/vx/newuniforms .

About Banana Republic:  Banana Republic is a global accessible luxury brand that delivers modern, soulful and effortless style. Banana Republic's lifestyle collections are characterized by elevated design and luxurious fabrications at approachable prices. Banana Republic collections include apparel, handbags, jewelry, fragrance and eyewear. Banana Republic, a division of San Francisco-based, Gap Inc. (NYSE: GPS), can be found at over 600 retail locations in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, Italy, and France, BananaRepublic.com, BananaRepublic.ca, BananaRepublic.eu, or (888) BR-STYLE. In addition, Banana Republic is expanding its international presence with franchise agreements in Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East. For more information, please visit gapinc.com. Like us on Facebook at Facebook.com/BananaRepublic Follow BR on Twitter, @BananaRepublic

About Virgin America: Headquartered in California, Virgin America offers guests attractive fares and a host of innovative features aimed at reinventing air travel.  In just over four years flying, Virgin America was named "Best Domestic Airline" in the Conde Nast Traveler 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 'Readers' Choice' Awards and "Best Domestic Airline" in Travel + Leisure's 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 'World's Best' Awards.  The airline's base of operations is San Francisco International Airport (SFO)'s sleek and sustainable new Terminal 2.   The airline's new aircraft offer interactive in–flight entertainment systems and power outlets near every seat.  Virgin America offers Gogo™ WiFi on every flight and hosts the largest in flight entertainment library in the North American skies via the touch–screen Red™ platform.  For more: www.virginamerica.com

SOURCE Virgin America