The new collection combines contemporary tailoring with Pakistani cultural heritage and is scheduled to debut on October 31 aboard the airline’s inaugural Dreamliner flight from London to Islamabad.
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has unveiled new cabin crew uniforms designed by renowned Pakistani fashion designer Hassan Sheheryar Yasin, popularly known as HSY, as the national carrier seeks to refresh its public image and modernise its visual identity.
The collection was unveiled in Lahore on Thursday, October 22, and is scheduled to enter service on October 31. PIA said the collection prioritises durability, comfort and ease of movement, particularly during long-haul flights.
The uniforms feature soft, breathable fabrics and structured tailoring, with colours and detailing inspired by Pakistan’s cultural craftsmanship.
“Designing for our national flag carrier is about capturing our collective pride and the genuine warmth of Pakistani hospitality,” Yasin said in a statement shared by PIA.
HSY was selected following a competitive showcase in Karachi, where 10 leading Pakistani designers and fashion houses presented their concepts for the national carrier’s new uniforms. The participants included Maheen Khan, Deepak and Fahad, Generation, Ismail Farid, Munib Nawaz, Deepak Perwani, Faraz Manan, Amir Adnan and Nomi Ansari. The entries were evaluated by a panel comprising Khaadi founder and chief executive Shamoon Sultan, couturier Nilofer Shahid, fashion and beauty expert Nabila, Pakistan Institute of Fashion and Design Vice-Chancellor Hina Tayyaba Khalil, and Naseem Tehrani, a PIA veteran with 33 years of aviation experience.
The latest collection continues PIA’s longstanding association with prominent fashion designers. In 1966, French designer Pierre Cardin created the airline’s iconic A-line tunic and hood, helping establish its reputation for distinctive cabin crew attire. In the 1970s, British designer Sir Hardy Amies, known for his work as Queen Elizabeth II’s royal couturier, also contributed to the airline’s fashion legacy. More recently, Nomi Ansari’s designs remained part of PIA’s uniform identity for 12 years.
The introduction of HSY’s collection marks another chapter in the airline’s efforts to renew its image. By bringing together local design expertise, cultural references and the functional demands of aviation, PIA aims to present a contemporary identity while retaining its association with Pakistani hospitality.