A touch of batik to airline crew’s uniform

The next time you fly with Firefly, look out for the batik accents on the crews’ revamped uniform. The airline recently introduced its new range of attire for cabin-crew and ground operation personnel in conjunction with the commencement of its Boeing 737-800 jet aircraft services to Kuching and Kota Kinabalu on Jan 15. The airline hopes that the new attire will project authority, efficiency and service readiness.

At the launch last week, guests were given a preview of the uniform and a fashion show featuring designs by Jendela KL, in which its silhouettes served as the inspiration for the new uniforms. Jendela KL designer and chief executive officer (CEO) Faisol Abdullah readily took up the task given by Firefly managing director Datuk Eddy Leong, who insisted on giving the uniform a Malaysian touch. “My aim is to make batik fashionable. I value the chance to put batik in a contemporary context such as in designing a fashionable outfit representing a Malaysian company. “Not much has been changed, just the little details,” he said, adding that it helped that orange was his favourite colour.

Based on feedback from the crew, Faisol said their number one request was that the uniform should make them look good. “The key words (to consider when designing) are efficiency up in the air, fashionable, easy to maintain and fresh. “Everyone likes the silhouette, the nice, snappy blouse and fitted skirt,” he said, adding that he hopes to see a batik trench coat in Europe when Firefly flies there.

Firefly managing director Datuk Eddy Leong said, “We went through a long process. We wanted something new but not too different and it has to be noticeable. “We recently introduced male crew for our jet flights, so we had masculine designs for men and feminine features for the female crew. “It is a difficult blend: masculine, feminine, friendly yet authoritative. “We like the batik as it is close to our values as a community airline. After all, it is part of Malaysian heritage, culture and history,” he added.

An interesting feature is the fabric buttons, instead of plastic or metal ones. The vest and tie makes them more service-oriented. “Black shoes are boring so we went with brown shoes, and it went well with the uniform’s orange colour,” he said. Hosting the event was former Miss Malaysia/ Universe and senior radio presenter Datuk Yasmin Yussoff, “the voice” of Firefly Tunes on-board all aircraft. Also at the event were celebrities Ning Baizura and Xandria Ooi.

-thestar online.