It's been over 2 weeks now that the Qantas cabin crew have been wearing their new uniforms.

This is an interesting discussion, I never understood why the old uniform was so ugly, both the pattern, and the cutting. I realise now that the issue with the cutting is probably to make up for the fact that a lot of the staff don't have the body to pull off a nicer cutting, unlike CX, SQ staff etc. I think the new dress looks much better on the thinner, younger staff, but I haven't noticed how it looks on someone a bit older or wider. 

With the pattern, I hated it. What's with aboriginal prints? From an artistic point of view, I don't think aboriginal art is that beautiful, and it should never be on a dress. There's a reason no one wears aboriginal print dresses on the street. As for the "multiculturalism" or "national identity" comments... Aboriginal art has very little to do with our national identity, and you don't see American Indian art making its way into AA's corporate identity. 

Spinoza you do make some interesting points. Beauty, like art, will always be subjective, the eye of the beholder and the ability to express ones perspective is limited by our capacity to do so and the degree by which the dominant culture is prepared to listen. A national identity is not based on a singular ideal, however, considering that we do have one national carrier, unlike the U.S (I dont think AA symbolises an american identity as much as Pam Am and TWA symbolised era's) this gives us an opportunity to showcase all that we love about who we are (ala the highly successful 'still call Australia home" campaign) or what we aspire to be. QANTAS, because of its heritage, is in a better position to exploit, promote, market this with some credibility than perhaps Virgin or any other airline. Interestingly Emirates uniform is considered stylish whilst yet highly representative of the cultural heritage it is derived from.

Yes, art is subjective, some people might really like aboriginal art, and my comment is my personal opinion. But its not exactly something that is on display in international art galleries or museums.

Let's be realistic, foreigners don't associate Australia with Aboriginal people or Aboriginal culture, and rightly or wrongly, neither do Australians. Other than learning about dream time in primary school, its not something we think about at all. 

As a non-white migrant, I'm comfortable with Australia's national identity being predominantly Anglo-Saxon with its Judeo Christian heritage. So I agree with you that Qantas can give us a chance to "showcase all that we love about who we are", but I am thinking of the lamb cutlets served in business class, with a Penfolds Shiraz. 

RBabs (glad you're not offended) once again I do concurr but I will clarify why, having spent almost 10 years working and living on indigenous communities in the NT I agree with your thoughts re Indigenous participation (positive discrimination shouldn't be a dirty word as plenty in the corporate world have made large sums from Indigenous branding). I'm not advocating exploitation through the use of indigenous themes and I was only suggesting an alternative,however linked to that idea could be real acknowledgement of our indigenous culture including proactive action by the company with regards to participation rates etc, this could be a win win for all and a great marketing coup? With sizing taken into account as well.