Skip to content

Cart

Your cart is empty

British Airway x Ozwald Boateng

REDEFINING A BRITSIH ORGINAL

ELEVATING EXCELLENCE

In celebration of it's centenary, British Airways and Ozwald Boateng, embarked on an ambitious project to redesign the airline's uniform. The new collection symbolises a vibrant new chapter for British Airways, with over 30,000 colleagues donning the new attire. This visual transformation represents a significant investment back into the airline’s most valuable asset, its staff.

Working meticulously with the British Airways crew and production team. Initially tasked with designing uniforms for the above-the-wing crew members, Ozwald Boateng recognised the importance of addressing the needs of the entire workforce, both above and below the wing, to truly impact and uplift the internal morale. The project extended beyond clothing; it was about creating an energetic shift within the company. The primary objective was to design uniforms that resonated with British Airways’ colleagues, inspiring and empowering them, encouraging them to perform their roles with pride, and ensuring they felt seen and heard. The design had to reflect the airline’s strong heritage while supporting a fresh narrative of change and transcendence, all while remaining timeless.

The redesign of the British Airways uniform was a comprehensive and painstaking process. We delved deep into the psychology of the workforce’s daily experiences, recognizing that to create a lasting impact through clothing, it was crucial to understand what would inspire and empower the staff. The ideology that clothes act as armor, influencing not only how individuals carry themselves but also how they present themselves to the world, was a guiding principle for Ozwald Boateng. He aimed to provide each crew member with a near-bespoke tailoring experience, akin to what clients receive at his Savile Row boutique.

IMPACT

Exploring the working experience of British Airways staff was central to the project’s success. We understood that genuine, lasting change had to start with a deep understanding of the employees' lived experiences. By focusing on this, the new uniforms not only enhanced the visual appeal but also significantly boosted the morale and pride of the airline’s workforce.

The project involved over 1,500 British Airways colleagues in the design process, ensuring that the final uniform collection was something the staff could be proud of. This inclusive approach ensured that the new uniforms were not only functional and stylish but also a true reflection of the employees’ contributions to the company’s ecosystem. The redesigned uniforms have set a new standard for airline attire, showcasing the power of thoughtful design in creating a unified and motivated workforce.

“Our uniform is an iconic representation of our brand, something that will carry us into our future, representing the very best of modern Britain and helping us deliver a great British original service for our customers. From the very start, this has been about our people. We wanted to create a uniform collection that our people are proud to wear, and with the help of over 1,500 colleagues, we are confident that we have delivered this.”

Sean Doyle,
British Airways’ Chairman and CEO