Last month saw Air Tahiti Nui unveil its unique, French Polynesian-inspired crew uniforms. The uniforms complete the passenger experience which includes the previous introduction of the 787 to the airline’s fleet. Air Tahiti Nui’s crew debuted the new uniforms at an event on June 20, 2019 in Paris Le Bourget.
The uniforms which refine the previous incarnation, brings even more colour into their passenger experience, drawing inspiration from the vivid colours used by famed painter, Paul Gaugin. The bright outfits paired with the ocean-inspired palette of the cabin perfectly unify to create a sense of the tropical islands of French Polynesia before passengers even leaves the airport.
The designers, Steeve Liu, known in Tahiti as “Steeve L,” and Moerani Morgrin, or “Moya B,” were tasked with creating uniforms for Air Tahiti Nui’s hostesses and stewards that met the professional requirements of an international airline, while still reflecting the charm, beauty and warmth that are typical of the islands.
Similar in approach to the Thai Airways uniform, the designers created two separate outfits: a formal pre- and post-flight uniform and a less formal in-flight uniform.
The first and more formal uniform, worn by crew while outside the aircraft, features patterns of turquoise tropical foliage on a dark blue background, bringing a touch of exoticism to an outfit that is nevertheless meant to be strict and professional. The borders and red lapels, representing the Polynesian flag, highlight the more rigorous nature of this outfit.
The second uniform, worn by the crew while in-flight, are the fitted Purotu and flowing Mamaruau, popular dresses loved by the women of Polynesia. These dresses feature the vibrant reds, blues, yellows and pinks that were loved by Gauguin, boasting a pattern made of foliage and vanilla blossoms in three color schemes, either mauve on a turquoise background, black on a red background or pink on a yellow background.
Adorned with laces and red piping, these dresses bring the vivid colors and tones that compose the beauty of Polynesian gardens into the cabin. Together, these two outfits distinguish the airline’s authenticity to its destination. It might not be lightyears away from the previous incarnation, but like other Pacific based carriers it goes far to deliver a truly authentic passenger experience built on brand amplification.
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I wonder why crewmembers for French-speaking airlines (Air Tahiti Nui, Air France, La Compagnie, ASL, French Bee…) wear their uniform wings over their right breast, whereas the crewmembers for almost all other airlines wear their wings over the left breast.