Pakistan International Airlines has selected celebrated couturier Hassan Sheheryar Yasin, popularly known as HSY, to design new uniforms for its cabin crew. The collection will debut on October 31, the national flag carrier announced on Thursday.
According to a PIA statement, the designs aim to combine Pakistan’s cultural heritage with contemporary fashion while reflecting the airline’s emphasis on hospitality, passenger comfort and crew confidence.
HSY PIA cabin crew uniforms: the October 31 debut
The collection will make its official debut aboard PIA’s inaugural Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner flight from London to Islamabad on October 31. The launch marks another step in the airline’s efforts to refresh its onboard identity under its consortium-led new management.
“The collection marks a stylish leap forward in PIA’s ongoing transformation,” PIA spokesperson Abdullah Hafeez Khan said. He added 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 said HSY had been chosen to create the new look for its crew.
A legacy of fashion in the skies
PIA has a long association with international fashion. The airline recalled that French designer Pierre Cardin created its pioneering A-line tunic and hood in 1966, helping establish PIA as a prominent name in aviation fashion.
The legacy continued in the 1970s when Sir Hardy Amies, the royal couturier to Queen Elizabeth II, brought his tailoring expertise to the airline’s uniforms. More recently, designer Nomi Ansari’s uniform inspiration remained part of PIA’s identity for 12 years.
HSY, one of Pakistan’s best-known fashion designers, has built an international profile through couture work, celebrity styling and appearances on global fashion platforms.
“Designing for our national flag carrier is about capturing our collective pride and the genuine warmth of Pakistani hospitality,” HSY said. He added that the aim was to create uniforms that let crew members feel confident and comfortable while representing Pakistan internationally.
How the designs were chosen
The final design was selected after a competitive showcase in Karachi, where 10 leading Pakistani fashion designers presented their concepts to a jury of fashion figures and industry representatives.
The statement said the collection was developed with a focus on functionality and comfort, keeping in mind the demands of long-haul operations. The designs feature breathable fabrics, ergonomic construction and structured tailoring, with a colour palette that draws on Pakistan’s cultural craftsmanship.
The uniform refresh is part of PIA’s broader transformation under the current aviation leadership. The airline recently named Adrian Hamilton-Manns as its new CEO and is adding two Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners on wet lease from Norse Atlantic, the same aircraft type that will carry the new uniforms on their first outing. The carrier has also been tightening internal controls, including recovering Rs5 million from Lahore staff in a seat-fee fraud case.
Frequently asked questions
Who is designing PIA’s new cabin crew uniforms?
Hassan Sheheryar Yasin (HSY), one of Pakistan’s best-known fashion designers, selected after a competitive showcase in Karachi featuring 10 designers.
When will the new uniforms debut?
October 31, on PIA’s inaugural Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner flight from London to Islamabad.
Which famous designers created PIA uniforms before?
French designer Pierre Cardin in 1966, Sir Hardy Amies (couturier to Queen Elizabeth II) in the 1970s, and Nomi Ansari, whose designs served the airline for 12 years.
What is the design concept?
A blend of Pakistan’s cultural heritage with contemporary fashion, using breathable fabrics and ergonomic tailoring suited to long-haul operations.
