February 2025
Runway Fashion: Vintage Flight Attendant Uniforms
Now on display at Terminal 4 on level 2, the Phoenix Airport Museum exhibition, Runway Fashion, showcases eight flight attendant uniforms by notable fashion designers from the Aviation History Collection. From custom fabrics to chic vests and sharply tailored blazers, these ensembles highlight the craftsmanship and innovation of the “Jet Age”.
Designer labels like Valentino and Ralph Lauren are often associated with high-end boutiques and fashion runways, but between the 1940s and 1980s, many airlines commissioned top designers to create stylish and functional flight attendant uniforms. These uniforms were thoughtfully designed to blend elegance with utility – influencing mainstream fashion and earning a place on both the catwalk and the jetway.