Rebecca Vallance Takes Flight: From Fashion Pioneer to Qantas Uniform Designer

A New Chapter in Australian Fashion

In a significant development for both the fashion and aviation industries, acclaimed fashion designer Rebecca Vallance has been chosen by Qantas to create its next staff uniform, marking a crucial milestone in the carrier’s transformation journey.

The Scale and Scope

The Australian womenswear designer, renowned for her accessible luxury partywear, will now take on the responsibility of designing uniforms for Qantas’s 17,500-plus employees, bringing unprecedented global exposure for her eponymous brand.

Set to debut in 2027, this will be the first major uniform overhaul in over a decade. To ensure the new designs meet workforce needs, Qantas conducted an extensive survey earlier this year, gathering feedback from pilots, cabin crew, engineers, and airport staff.

Design Philosophy and Challenges

This appointment presents new challenges for Vallance, including her first venture into menswear design. The project emphasizes functionality and sustainability, with plans to explore lower-impact materials and consider the garments’ end-of-life impact.

The uniforms must be designed to withstand various physical demands, including bending and lifting bags during long flights. Vallance has been meticulously studying staff movements in their current uniforms, recognizing that fashion significantly impacts daily performance and well-being.

Legacy and Future Vision

Following in the footsteps of legendary designers like Yves Saint Laurent, Emilio Pucci, Peter Morrissey, and George Gross and Harry Who, this partnership with Vallance represents a bold step forward. It aims to combine innovation, style, and employee pride to redefine Qantas’s global presence.

In Vallance’s own words, “To be entrusted with this redesign is a huge milestone for me personally and for my brand. I am looking forward to creating something iconic, yet wearable while celebrating the people who make this airline such a beloved part of Australia’s story.”