THE FIRST INSPIRATION
The first 'uniforms' were made up of a wardrobe inspired by the clothes worn by sleeping-car attendants, in keeping with the conventions of high-end hotels: a white jacket, navy trousers, a white cap and a collared navy spencer. Stripes and insignia served to highlight the crews' hierarchy, ensuring military order as well as a military style that male civil aviation uniforms retain even today.
In 1946, Air France organised the first competition to recruit hostesses. Having a uniform became essential. The fashion house Georgette Renal, chosen by hostesses, included a wardrobe of basic clothing items: a suit, a summer dress, and a coat. In 1951, with the airline experiencing great success, it chose the Georgette de Trèze fashion house to modernise and feminise its hostesses' appearance, and to convey the spirit of the 1950s.
The old uniform no longer suited the active role Air France wanted its hostesses to play. In March 1962, the airline launched a new model designed by Marc Bohan at Dior, which introduced the 'Air France' range into its haute couture collection. The outfit became lighter – a shade of 'Marceau' blue – and a navy blue pillbox hat adorned with the Air France insignia replaced the beret. The tiniest details of the new uniform recalled the refinement of high fashion. The first couture uniform, this version left the most lasting impression on flight crew.
At the end of the 60s, the famous fashion designer Cristobal Balenciaga created Air France's new uniforms. The project was confined to the uniform of female flight attendants, who would receive a winter suit cut in a very 'aeronautical' style. In 1971, the Balenciaga fashion house added two outfits (winter and summer) to distinguish ground hostesses. At the end of the year, hostesses were complaining that fashion designers were not taking their working conditions sufficiently into account.