style in the aisle

{fig. 1 & 2} Northwest Airlines uniform from 1945 with Mink Stole {fig. 2} 1950's American Airlines "Little Miss Stewardess" play set {fig. 3 & 4} Western Airlines uniform 1974 designed by David Crystal, more uniforms {fig. 5 & 6} Hughes Airwest 1972 capes and yellow go-go boots by Mario Zamparelli {fig. 7 & 8} Air West uniform by Oleg Cassini {fig. 9 & 10} Quantas flight attendants in Emilio Pucci uniforms 1974-1985 {fig. 11} American Airlines trolly dollys in the early 70's {fig. 12 & 13} More Emilio Pucci, this time for Braniff Airlines complete with parasol 1971-1975, Pacific Southwest uniform in hot pink 1973 {fig. 14} Northwest Airlines flight attendants circa 1945 via Patrick North collection {fig. 15 & 16} AEL Northeast 1951-1953 by Ruth Shotland Originals {pictures of actual flight attendants via Barneys "The Window" unless otherwise noted, photos in museum by me}

Visiting Seattle always means stopping by the Museum of Flight to see what new exhibit has popped up followed by a little playtime in the mock tower control room. Blame it on a childhood rife with aviation enthusiasm, but to this day I still harbor an endless fascination for all things flight related. I can thank my Dad for instilling that passion by taking me out onto the tarmac to watch the planes land, and for aiding and abetting my burgeoning airline memorabilia collection. To this day I can tell you the make, model and often times airline of a plane while it is still high in the sky. I'm also often times found throwing a dinner party while dressed in my 60's flight attendant costume serving meatloaf on Northwest Airlines dinner sets.

My obsession with aviation reaches an all time high when it comes to the golden age of travel and the fashion of the era. Therefore I was beyond giddy to visit the Style In The Aisle exhibit focusing on the uniforms worn by the stewardesses or "trolly dollys" of the time. We're talking Emilio Pucci, Jean Louis, mink stoles, hotpants and brightly colored go-go boots galore! The days when airline travel was glamorous and uniforms were infused with vivid imagination. I'll admit it, I'm pretty smitten with those crazy blue and yellow Hughes Air hooded capes. It was a thrill seeing all of the fabulous and nostalgic pieces in person. Tracing the evolution, and historical significance that airline fashion has played over the years was entirely fascinating. Onwards, upwards!