Qantas names designer for new flight attendant outfits

Australian fashion designer Martin Grant was yesterday announced as the new designer of uniforms for Qantas.

The airline revealed in October that it was ditching Peter Morrissey's uniforms after eight years in the skies, in favour of a fresh look.

The designer charged with revamping the image of Qantas was unveiled this morning following an eight-month global search.

Qantas representatives met Australian designers, including Collette Dinnigan and Grant during Paris Fashion Week in October, after making the decision to scrap the uniforms Morrissey unveiled in 2003 and then updated in 2008.

Grant was seen in the crowd at the March reopening of the Museum of Contemporary Art in Sydney, which was also attended by the chief executive of Qantas, Alan Joyce.

The Paris-based designer was believed to be in town to present his uniform concept to senior Qantas management.

Josh Goot and Dion Lee were two others who presented to Qantas, but both fell by the wayside in favour of the more established Dinnigan and Grant, who are both close to Qantas selection panel member Charlotte Stockdale, the partner of Qantas designer Marc Newson.

Qantas must be mindful that its chosen designer can consistently deliver over the years as the multimillion-dollar uniforms contract is believed to be 10 years in duration.

Dinnigan and Grant both ticked that box, although some felt Dinnigan had an added home-ground advantage because she was based in Australia.

Dinnigan has previously created first-class amenity kits for the airline, and her designs were showcased in a catwalk show to launch the revamped Qantas first-class lounge in Sydney in 2007. Dinnigan has graced an Australia Post stamp and this month was honoured with the Australian Fashion Laureate award during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia.

In Europe she shows on the closely guarded official schedule of Paris Fashion Week, and has a global reputation for elegant, well-made dresses and evening wear.