Photos: China Eastern's new Christian Lacroix uniform revealed

By David Flynn, May 2 2013

China Eastern Airlines has unveilled a stylish new uniform today, designed by none other than fashion superbrand Christian Lacroix.

We've got first snaps of the new kit right here, following the uniform's reveal at a lavish ceremony in China Eastern's home city of Shanghai.

The bywords are "simple, beautiful and dignified", says China Eastern, with the new look showcasing cosmopolitan "Shanghai-style fashion".

However, what's most evident in these shots are the crisp European lines and Parisian influences – such as a trim pencil-thin slit skirt sitting just above the knee, paired with a shirt with abbreviated sleeves cut just past the elbow, belted above the hips with a wide bright red sash punctuated in the middle by an oversized roundel.

And that's not to mention those scarves, or the playful beret-like hat seen in the main photo atop this article.

Christian Lacroix has gone for navy blue with red accessories – a similar but slightly more sombre palette to that chosen by Melbourne-born Parisian-based Martin Grant for Qantas’ new uniform, revealed last month to widespread approval.

Read: Photos and video of the new Qantas uniform

China Eastern's pilots are in for a more traditional look – after all, it'd be hard to take your captain seriously if he looked like Derek Zoolander.

Variations on the new uniform will also be issued to ground services and other front-line employees.

China Eastern's current uniform (seen below) was recently voted the world's most stylish in a public poll by travel website Skytrax.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, Virgin Atlantic has signed up British fashion doyenne Dame Vivienne Westwood to create a new look for the airline's 7,500 flight crew and ground staff.

Westwood's take on Virgin's iconic red threads stays in the safe territory of sharp silhouettes and dapper detailing with a modern slim-fit cut. In other words, very Cool Britannia, as you can see from these sketches below.