Sep 2023 : BA launch new Ozwald Boateng uniforms
Nov 26, 2023, 4:06 pm
#421
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: UK
Posts: 584
I don't believe they have. At the end of the day, that was a very bold statement to make by the exec publically. He could have just subtly mentioned it being released with no further comment. If staff are not going to complain about it and say that it does put them to same along with the faults of the uniform as well as customers continuing to fly without providing feedback through the direct official channels then you will continue to hear this sort of thing.
Nov 26, 2023, 5:33 pm
#422
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: UK
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 1,177
I don't believe they have. At the end of the day, that was a very bold statement to make by the exec publically. He could have just subtly mentioned it being released with no further comment. If staff are not going to complain about it and say that it does put them to same along with the faults of the uniform as well as customers continuing to fly without providing feedback through the direct official channels then you will continue to hear this sort of thing.
Oh come on.. please. BA internal staff channels had to be disabled when it was launched - due to staff “feedback”, the General Public weren’t quiet about it either on social media.
I think opinion has been shared but as per - seniors refuse to engage or listen. Don’t forget that after the flunk of a launch - the same execs claimed it had been ‘well received by staff’
Nov 26, 2023, 7:25 pm
#423
Join Date: Nov 2023
Programs: None
Posts: 17
Re. Julien MacDonald Uniform
Oh come on.. please. BA internal staff channels had to be disabled when it was launched - due to staff “feedback”, the General Public weren’t quiet about it either on social media.
I think opinion has been shared but as per - seniors refuse to engage or listen. Don’t forget that after the flunk of a launch - the same execs claimed it had been ‘well received by staff’
I think opinion has been shared but as per - seniors refuse to engage or listen. Don’t forget that after the flunk of a launch - the same execs claimed it had been ‘well received by staff’
Nov 26, 2023, 11:19 pm
#424
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 7,268
the Qantas uniform was/is not well received by staff at all and very much geared to one body type. The previous Peter Morrissey one was far more a) Australian and b) forgiving
https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/...rm-in-pictures
https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/...rm-in-pictures
I take your point about the discomfort of the men's JM uniform, and to judge by your comments about the ill-fitting trousers, it sounded as if it definitely needed an upgrade there (nothing worse than a pair of ill-fitting pants!). The new men's uniform is fine, and as long as it is a better fit for you, then that's what matters, as you are the one who has to wear it, at the end of the day.
I think it is the new female uniform that has generated all the criticism and hate. I mean, it really does look like a HUGE disappointing downgrade compared to the much more stylish and professional-looking JM uniform. To be fair, perhaps even some of the ladies did have comfort issues with the JM, I don't know, but at the same time, it is an undeniable fact that a LOT of the female crew DID love the JM uniform, and were very sorry to see it go. I mean, you have got to admit - a nice, smart skirt suit on a female crew member looks MUCH nicer than a drab dress and dishcloth tie. I think so, anyway, and I know many other people do too. That dreadful dress has now earned the less-than-favourable title of "The Dinner Lady Dress", and that just says it all in terms of what the general public - and, indeed, even some of the female crew themselves - really think about this new design. To be honest, I was actually SHOCKED with disbelief when I saw that some of the females chose that dress over the much smarter skirt suit!
I don't want to argue too much about JM uniform now, as I think I have made my point, and I know everybody has different tastes. I loved it. I miss it. Many other people do, including a lot of the crew themselves. But what can you do?
I think it is the new female uniform that has generated all the criticism and hate. I mean, it really does look like a HUGE disappointing downgrade compared to the much more stylish and professional-looking JM uniform. To be fair, perhaps even some of the ladies did have comfort issues with the JM, I don't know, but at the same time, it is an undeniable fact that a LOT of the female crew DID love the JM uniform, and were very sorry to see it go. I mean, you have got to admit - a nice, smart skirt suit on a female crew member looks MUCH nicer than a drab dress and dishcloth tie. I think so, anyway, and I know many other people do too. That dreadful dress has now earned the less-than-favourable title of "The Dinner Lady Dress", and that just says it all in terms of what the general public - and, indeed, even some of the female crew themselves - really think about this new design. To be honest, I was actually SHOCKED with disbelief when I saw that some of the females chose that dress over the much smarter skirt suit!
I don't want to argue too much about JM uniform now, as I think I have made my point, and I know everybody has different tastes. I loved it. I miss it. Many other people do, including a lot of the crew themselves. But what can you do?
Nov 27, 2023, 12:38 am
#425
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 14
Good points made there. What I can't understand, though, is why all the crew who hated the new uniform didn't go to their union with their grievance. If the crew continue to hate it as the months go by, then surely, in the end, the bubble will burst, and BA will HAVE to start addressing the problem. A good start would be to scrap those Dinner Lady Dresses and remove that unsightly red arrow from the front of the skirt.
Nov 27, 2023, 2:12 am
#426
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 517
In this day and age (one where people are very vocal about their rights), it’s a little crazy to launch/design a new uniform for public facing staff especially considering how long they need to wear it for each day and the environment they have to wear it in, without a significant level of feedback/involvement and buy in from said staff. A little naive imo.
Aesthetically, I’m not a fan of the new uniforms, as others have commented they do indeed look cheap, perhaps it’s an "emperors new clothes" scenario at the BA board at sign off level.
Aesthetically, I’m not a fan of the new uniforms, as others have commented they do indeed look cheap, perhaps it’s an "emperors new clothes" scenario at the BA board at sign off level.
Last edited by Richardc77; Nov 27, 2023 at 2:20 am
Nov 27, 2023, 3:20 am
#427
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: London
Programs: BAEC Bronze
Posts: 1,090
In this day and age (one where people are very vocal about their rights), it’s a little crazy to launch/design a new uniform for public facing staff especially considering how long they need to wear it for each day and the environment they have to wear it in, without a significant level of feedback/involvement and buy in from said staff. A little naive imo.
BA set up a new uniform group and invited staff from all uniform wearing departments to get involved. There were over 1000 staff members involved in workshops, some were flown out to view manufacturing locations and test various fabrics/colour options. People from this group had opportunities to view designs and give input. Many of them trialled the uniform and were involved in various fittings long before the official launch. The design team also spent time observing the different uniform roles and speaking to agents doing those roles about what was important in a new uniform. The staff I spoke to at the time were all excited about what they had seen of the designs.
If most of the wearers don’t like it, then the design process or involving a large group of staff didn’t work.
Nov 27, 2023, 3:31 am
#428
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,026
Haven't followed this thread, but all feedback I have is negative.
with the main thing being that the clothes for the girls have been designed for anyone who identifies that way. Meaning that they are not suitable or flattering for people born as a female
Genuinely crew I spoke with were considering leaving over it
with the main thing being that the clothes for the girls have been designed for anyone who identifies that way. Meaning that they are not suitable or flattering for people born as a female
Genuinely crew I spoke with were considering leaving over it
Nov 27, 2023, 3:32 am
#429
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Programs: Mucci des Hommes Magiques et Magnifiques
Posts: 19,204
It absolutely didn’t, I’m afraid it’s a case of the Emperors New Clothes with those involved frightened of saying anything and getting take on the wave of the excitement of being involved and keeping the secret!
Nov 27, 2023, 3:49 am
#430
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 7,268
This is exactly what happened and BA management will point to this.
BA set up a new uniform group and invited staff from all uniform wearing departments to get involved. There were over 1000 staff members involved in workshops, some were flown out to view manufacturing locations and test various fabrics/colour options. People from this group had opportunities to view designs and give input. Many of them trialled the uniform and were involved in various fittings long before the official launch. The design team also spent time observing the different uniform roles and speaking to agents doing those roles about what was important in a new uniform. The staff I spoke to at the time were all excited about what they had seen of the designs.
If most of the wearers don’t like it, then the design process or involving a large group of staff didn’t work.
BA set up a new uniform group and invited staff from all uniform wearing departments to get involved. There were over 1000 staff members involved in workshops, some were flown out to view manufacturing locations and test various fabrics/colour options. People from this group had opportunities to view designs and give input. Many of them trialled the uniform and were involved in various fittings long before the official launch. The design team also spent time observing the different uniform roles and speaking to agents doing those roles about what was important in a new uniform. The staff I spoke to at the time were all excited about what they had seen of the designs.
If most of the wearers don’t like it, then the design process or involving a large group of staff didn’t work.
Nov 27, 2023, 4:09 am
#431
Join Date: Nov 2023
Programs: None
Posts: 17
Re. Julien MacDonald Uniform
In this day and age (one where people are very vocal about their rights), it’s a little crazy to launch/design a new uniform for public facing staff especially considering how long they need to wear it for each day and the environment they have to wear it in, without a significant level of feedback/involvement and buy in from said staff. A little naive imo.
Aesthetically, I’m not a fan of the new uniforms, as others have commented they do indeed look cheap, perhaps it’s an "emperors new clothes" scenario at the BA board at sign off level.
Aesthetically, I’m not a fan of the new uniforms, as others have commented they do indeed look cheap, perhaps it’s an "emperors new clothes" scenario at the BA board at sign off level.
Nov 27, 2023, 4:14 am
#432
Join Date: Nov 2023
Programs: None
Posts: 17
Re. Julien MacDonald Uniform
Well, all I can say is that if the guys were allowed to make "alterations" to their uniform, surely the women could be allowed to make similar alterations to THEIR uniform. And the first thing that should be altered is that awful, usightly red arrow on the skirt, pointing up towards a place where it shouldn't! That red looks as if somebody has spilt tomatoe ketchup down the skirt. It detracts from the look of the suit.
Nov 27, 2023, 4:40 am
#433
Join Date: Nov 2023
Programs: None
Posts: 17
Re. Julien MacDonald Uniform
I’m remotely not interested/completely oblivious as to what the staff are wearing if I’m honest but it matters to some.
and as for BA managers reading this and bringing something back (said in jest I assume) when they’ve just changed the uniform you’ve more chance of getting a happy black cab driver when you tell him you want to go to Cranford from T5.
and as for BA managers reading this and bringing something back (said in jest I assume) when they’ve just changed the uniform you’ve more chance of getting a happy black cab driver when you tell him you want to go to Cranford from T5.
The best we can hope for, I suppose is that this dreadful new uniform will have as short a life as possible. The sooner the damn ugly thing goes, the better. I hate it, and I am certainly not alone in feeling that way..
Nov 27, 2023, 4:40 am
#434
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Herts, UK
Programs: BAEC GGL, HH Diamond.
Posts: 3,189
Do you mean that the clothes have been designed too small i.e. for girls or that they are just not suitable for anyone born a woman? I can imagine clothing is a big factor and given CC have to wear it for such long periods of time, it is something that would make people consider leaving. That would be a real shame.
Nov 27, 2023, 4:42 am
#435
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 43,185
Is there a reason you are particularly worked up about the new uniform Jorntroop66?
Tbh, like others have noted, it has grown on me.
Tbh, like others have noted, it has grown on me.
