Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has appointed renowned Pakistani fashion designer Hassan Sheheryar Yasin, widely known as HSY, to create new uniforms for its cabin crew. The national airline announced on Thursday that the redesigned collection will be unveiled on October 31.
According to a statement released by PIA, the new uniform collection seeks to blend Pakistan’s cultural traditions with modern fashion, while highlighting the airline’s commitment to hospitality, passenger comfort and crew confidence.
The collection is scheduled to be introduced on PIA’s first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner flight from London to Islamabad on October 31. The launch represents another milestone in the airline’s efforts to revamp its onboard identity under its new consortium-led management.
“The collection marks a stylish leap forward in PIA’s ongoing transformation,” PIA spokesperson Abdullah Hafeez Khan said, adding that the designs would introduce a contemporary aesthetic while keeping passenger comfort and crew pride at the forefront.
In a post on X, PIA described the initiative as “bringing runway glamour back to the skies” and announced that HSY had been selected to design the airline crew’s new look.
The airline also highlighted its historical connection with international fashion, noting that French designer Pierre Cardin designed its pioneering A-line tunic and hood in 1966. The distinctive designs helped establish PIA as a notable name in the world of aviation fashion.
According to the statement, PIA’s fashion legacy continued into the 1970s when Sir Hardy Amies, the royal couturier to Queen Elizabeth II, contributed his tailoring expertise to the airline’s uniform designs. The airline added that designer Nomi Ansari’s uniform concept had remained an integral part of PIA’s identity for the past 12 years.
HSY, among Pakistan’s most prominent fashion designers, has established an international reputation through his couture creations, celebrity styling and participation in global fashion events.
“Designing for our national flag carrier is about capturing our collective pride and the genuine warmth of Pakistani hospitality,” HSY said. He explained that the collection was intended to ensure crew members felt both comfortable and confident while representing Pakistan on the international stage.
“We wanted uniforms that our crew feels extraordinarily confident and comfortable in — apparel that respects our heritage, reflects modern fashion, and tells our story beautifully in every airport across the globe,” he said.
The statement noted that the collection was designed with practicality and comfort as key priorities, considering the challenges of long-haul flights and the physical demands of cabin crew duties.
The uniforms incorporate breathable materials, ergonomic designs and carefully structured tailoring to combine durability with an elegant appearance. According to the statement, the colour scheme and decorative elements reflect Pakistan’s traditional craftsmanship while maintaining the functional requirements of airline attire.
The airline further revealed that the final design was chosen through a competitive presentation held in Karachi, where 10 leading Pakistani fashion designers showcased their proposals before a jury of fashion experts and industry representatives.
PIA’s spokesperson said the unveiling would present the airline’s renewed visual identity to passengers, marking what the carrier described as a fresh chapter focused on comfort, sophistication and national pride.
HSY’s appointment brings one of Pakistan’s leading couture designers into the airline’s latest initiative to revitalise its image, building on a longstanding fashion heritage that has connected PIA with internationally acclaimed designers over several decades.
