|
90 Piece Braniff Airlines Pucci & Halston Collection This is your opportunity own a unique collection of vintage Braniff International Airlines uniforms, luggage and accessories designed by Emilio Pucci, Halston and Nardis of Dallas. Amassed by a former Braniff flight attendant who flew with the airline for 20 years, the collection includes 18 complete uniforms designed by Pucci or Halston along with a host of matching shoes, handbags, luggage, and other accessories.
Below is a description of what is inclued in the collection and many pictures. If you have any questions, please email me.
THE Collection On July 19, 1965, Braniff International unveiled its first flight attendant uniform created by Emilio Pucci. The Italian designer called it Gemini 4, after the NASA mission in June of that year that featured the first US space walk. The mission was also notable for the fact that it was the first multi-day space flight for Pucci’s Gemini 4 was significant because it set the stage for series of flight attendant uniforms that revolutionized commercial aviation - and left a bold imprint on the fashion industry. The stunning colors - including coral pink, melon yellow, and avocado green - were only the foundations of this tapestry. It was the way that Pucci combined them, creating a layered collage designed to make each appearance in the cabin - each walk down that center aisle - a memorable one. It was the birth of what would become to be known as the Braniff "air strip." The concept behind the air strip was to provide Braniff’s flight attendants with a series of garments which could be changed - or removed - as the flight progressed. Had it occurred today, one might considered it aviation performance art. But for Pucci and Braniff, the goal was simple - to make flying a more glamorous and memorable experience. Perhaps the most memorable item in the Gemini 4 uniform was the "Space Bubble" hat. Clearly influenced by NASA’s space helmets, these clear plastic bubble hats were designed to protect flight attendant’s hair from the wind and rain. Like many of fashion’s boldest ideas, the hats proved somewhat impractical despite their stylish appeal, and they were not issued after 1965 - making them rare indeed. The collection includes the following items from the Gemini IV uniform: In 1966, Braniff introduced its second Pucci-designed uniform. This uniform is best remembered for its body-hugging tunic and leotard featuring Pucci prints created exclusively for the airline. The striking multi-color pattern - pinks and blues and greens and purples - was designed to symbolize all of the nations served by Braniff. As a result, this famous Pucci print became known as "Ports of Call." At the time, Braniff was one of the mainstays of The collection includes the following items from the Pucci II uniform:
Pucci IIIWith the introduction of Pucci’s third uniform concept in 1968, the designs became more practical while still retaining much of their trademark flair. Pucci reduced the number of separate components, presumably so the flight attendants could travel a little lighter. The foundation for the Pucci III uniform was a short "above-the-knee" dress with a dropped waist and swinging panels that featured yet another trademark Pucci print. Made from a pale pink Trevira polyester and wool blend, the dress could be easily accessorized with a choice of six different Pucci-print silk scarves. Two reversible wool overcoats - one with a pink or pomegranate option and one with green or orange - along with pink patent-leather pumps completed the outfit. The shoes, manufactured in One of the most notable features of Pucci III was what the uniform did not include. For the first time in Braniff history, flight attendants were no longer required to wear a hat. On the other hand, Pucci included a variety of stylish bags and suitcases - manufactured by Jana in The collection includes the following items from the Pucci III uniform:
Pucci IVIn 1971, Braniff began serving the Dallas-Honolulu route with a new Boeing 747 jumbo jet painted bright orange. The plane became known as "Fat Albert," after the popular yet portly cartoon character who was similarly adorned. But the colorful airplane wasn’t the only fashion statement Braniff made that year. With Pucci IV, the Braniff uniforms returned to their original concept of interchangeable items, offering the flight attendants 25 different combinations. This included Pucci’s "pant dress," which the designer described as "chic and sensible." And that’s what exactly what he achieved with this design concept - the combination of Gemini IV’s creative flair with Pucci III’s functionality. The color palette shifted further in the blue, with added options that included pajama-style trousers, hot pants, and a signature Pucci-print leotard featuring blues, greens, and purples. Pucci also offered garments and accessories in the more familiar pink and red spectrum, including a six-color Pucci-print umbrella that replaced the famed space bubble hat. The collection includes the following items from the Pucci IV uniform:
Pucci V Pucci designed his last uniform for Braniff in 1974. Pucci V, as it was known, featured various combinations of turquoise and green solids with the obligatory Pucci print accents. The final concept included updated versions of some of his mainstays, including a turtleneck, tunics, and the reversible overcoat. The collection includes the following items from the Pucci V uniform:
Halston In 1977, Braniff opted for an entirely new look. To match the more polished and refined sophistication of the times, the airline turned to the hottest designer of that era - Halston. Pucci’s bold and colorful designs were ideal for the vibrant movement of the 1960s and early 70s. Halston brought a more muted sense of style, favoring an earthier palette and arguably simpler designs. Reflective of a generation that was more interested in connecting than shocking, Halston’s uniforms featured textured materials such as cardigan knits and his favored Ultra-Suede. And, whereas Pucci had been known for his almost psychedelic swirls, Halston opted for a more brand-conscious approach - using a print with his signature "H" pattern. The collection includes the following items from the Halston uniform:
Nardis of Before Braniff hired Pucci to design its uniforms, the airline had a contest to design their uniforms. Flight attendant Terry Labus won and her designs were produced by Nardis of Dallas. These military style uniforms - which reflected the utilitarian feel that ushered in the jet age - were designed by Labus and produced by Nardis of Dallas. The standard uniform consisted of a square, Chanel-style jacket with ¾-length sleeves and a narrow skirt of charcoal wool. Those flying aboard the newer planes were issued a special "jet jacket" of white wool with black trim. The collection includes two military style suits from this period.
 Click to view supersized image  Get simple, reliable, and affordable image hosting with Vendio today!
In the 1960s, Dallas-based Braniff International set out to make commercial air travel more glamorous, with ads that boasted "The End of the Plain Plane." To give this attitude some texture, Braniff hired Emilio Pucci, a former WWII bomber pilot and one of the hottest designers of the time, to create the uniforms for its flight attendants. Pucci's innovative designs were a blend of fashion at altitude and fashion with attitude, serving up bright, bold colors with both style and sex appeal - at a time when sex appeal was still stylish. In the 1970s, Braniff hired Halston to provide a new, refreshing look for its flight attendants, continuing its leadership in high-flying fashion.
Braniff's fashionable flight attendant uniforms set the trends not only for the center aisle, but also for the streets of New York and Los Angeles. They inspired many of today's top designers, and Braniff's branded sex appeal rewrote the rules on luxury and lifestyle marketing, proving that bold innovation can lead to commercial success. After all, these ground-breaking uniforms played a pivotal role in propelling Braniff to new heights in the aviation industry.
While Braniff no longer flies, and fashion has long since been mothballed by the airline industry, you can own a comprehensive collection of Braniff flight attendant uniforms dating from 1963 through 1983. These are pictures from this summer's fashion preview of the collection.
 Click to view supersized image  Click to view supersized image  Click to view supersized image  Click to view supersized image  Click to view supersized image  Click to view supersized image  Click to view supersized image  Click to view supersized image  Click to view supersized image  Click to view supersized image Get simple, reliable, and affordable image hosting with Vendio today!
Here are studio shots of the items:
 Click to view supersized image  Click to view supersized image  Click to view supersized image  Click to view supersized image  Click to view supersized image  Click to view supersized image  Click to view supersized image  Click to view supersized image  Click to view supersized image  Click to view supersized image  Click to view supersized image  Click to view supersized image  Click to view supersized image  Click to view supersized image  Click to view supersized image  Click to view supersized image  Click to view supersized image  Click to view supersized image  Click to view supersized image  Click to view supersized image  Click to view supersized image  Click to view supersized image  Click to view supersized image  Click to view supersized image  Click to view supersized image Get simple, reliable, and affordable image hosting with Vendio today!
 Click to view supersized image  Click to view supersized image  Click to view supersized image  Click to view supersized image  Click to view supersized image  Click to view supersized image  Click to view supersized image  Click to view supersized image  Click to view supersized image  Click to view supersized image  Click to view supersized image  Click to view supersized image  Click to view supersized image  Click to view supersized image Get simple, reliable, and affordable image hosting with Vendio today!
These charges are normally collected by the delivering freight or shipping company or when you pick the item up - do not confuse them for additional shipping charges.
You may be interested in Chelsea Marketeers other listings on eBay. Another auction from Chelsea Marketeers |
