5 QUESTIONS WITH BANANA REPUBLIC CREATIVE DIRECTOR SIMON KNEEN: VIRGIN AMERICA
That little aisle aboard your next Virgin America flight will start to look a little more like a runway come August 8th. That’s when the airline company’s crew will start to don their new uniforms created by Banana Republic. A day before, a small collection of travel essential, flight-inspired goodies like aviators, messengers bags and trenches will launch in select Banana Republics as well as on Virgin Red’s™ in-flight entertainment system Shop platform. Its all to celebrate Virgin’s 5th year in business. We chatted up Banana Republic Creative Director Simon Kneen to get the story on the new style in airline uniform.
Essential Homme: The Uniforms are very cool! What were the biggest concerns for you as a designer in making them? Was it difficult to work with an airline?
Simon Kneen: The challenge in designing airline uniforms is to constantly keep in mind that while each piece should be fashionable, its functionality and comfort take precedence to suit the busy day-to-day lives of Virgin America employees. This is something that at Banana Republic we constantly filter during our design process – keeping it fresh and fashionable, but always wearable. We referenced the time when on-board style and sophistication was of utmost importance in flying. This “golden age” served as inspiration to design a modern uniform interpretation that still incorporates aviation details such as shoulder tabs and button chest pockets. We also referenced recent runway looks to draw inspiration in cuts and colors.
EH: You’ve got a travel inspired collection coming out in August that will be sold in Banana Republic as well as through Virgin. Did working with the airline inform your design? What things were you thinking about when designing this travel collection?
SK: In addition to the new flight crew uniforms, we wanted Virgin America travelers and BananaRepublic customers to be able to participate and upgrade their own style. We’re offering a selection of our favorite Banana Republic travel-ready essentials, including fitted trenches for men and women, aviator sunglasses, a stylish tote for ladies, and a men’s messenger bag, for purchase for a limited time to flyers on Virgin America’s Red’s™ in-flight entertainment system Shop platform and in selectBanana Republic stores. These pieces were specifically selected because they’re quintessential BananaRepublic items that helped inspire the uniform design and are naturally travel-right!
EH: Can you tell us about your relationship with travel? What sorts of places do you like to go when you’re not designing? What are some items you can’t travel without?
SK: I travel so often I’ve got it down to a science. I put on my head phones and favorite playlist, followed by my trusty Brookstone eye mask and pass out. It’s a luxury to have a stretch of downtime! I agree that you need to be comfortable but I draw the line at lounge wear. No matter where I go, chinos or jeans do the trick for travelling and still look quite smart. A sweater or cardigan is a must as you never know how cold the cabin will be. While I always pack travel essentials like our non-iron shirts, I’m now extra conscious of throwing on a chic trench and luxe cashmere scarf to tie the whole look together in a comfortable fashion.
EH: What destinations did you have in mind when creating the collection? Where is the Banana Republic customer going in the new Virgin America inspired collection?
SK: Both our partnership with Virgin and our Fall 2012 collection were inspired by the man about town and the girl on-the-go who move forward with a newly reinvigorated sense of momentum brought on by the changing weather and increasingly busy calendar. In a season where the soaring city landscapes and the bucolic country tableaus serve as equally picturesque backdrops, sleek silhouettes combine with inviting textures and luxurious details to create a wardrobe that works effortlessly, in any location.
EH: Did working with Virgin America inspire you to design things other than fashion, say luggage, lounges or even airplane interiors? In other worlds – will the relationship with Virgin America expand past the clothes?
SK: We’ve been partners with Virgin America for years and hope to continue that relationship. I’m not sure where it will lead, but sky’s the limit!
- Pictured (left to right): Women’s belted red trench coat, Pilot’s black soft shell jacket and flat front trousers, Women’s black slim-fit shirt dress, red trim silk Charmeuse scarf and reversible belt.
- Pictured (left to right): Women’s slim-fit pencil skirt and short sleeve shirt with princess seaming and covered plackets with reversible belt; red cardigan,; slim-fit black shirt dress with black trim silk Charmeuse scarf and reversible belt.
- Pictured (left to right): Pilot’s slim fit gray woven shirt, plaque belt and flat front trouser; Women’s black slim-fit shirt dress, red trim silk Charmeuse scarf and reversible belt.
- Pictured: Men’s short-sleeve slim fit woven shirt, plaque belt and flat front trousers.
- Pictured: Women’s short sleeve shirt with princess seaming and covered plackets, red border silk Charmeuse scarf, slim-fit pencil skirt and reversible belt.
- Pictured: Women’s slim-fit black shirt dress, black trim silk Charmeuse scarf and reversible belt.
