HAUTE TRAVEL
TRAVEL STYLE Where to Find Fashion on the Road
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BY BECCA HENSLEY
OME SAY THAT FASHION IS SOCIETY’S MIRROR, a reflection of trends that define, elevate, and inspire us. To whit, at the presentation of her 1969 collection, Coco Chanel reminded us that fashion wasn’t just about clothing. “Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening,” she said. We think she’d agree, too, that when we travel, fashion beckons us to flow deeply into the heart of our experience. It paves the way for our journey as clearly as road signs. It clarifies the difference between one place and another. Inevitably, it reminds us exactly where we are. Whether it’s the uniforms the flight attendants don on an Air France flight that whisks us to Paris, the grand suite aboard a Caribbean cruise ship decked out by Ralph Lauren in American-style casual elegance, the silk-flanked Explorer suite by Jim Thompson at Anantara Siam Bangkok, or the traditional Swiss Alpine trousers and jackets designed by St. Moritz-based fashion company Bündnertuch as uniforms for the Carlton Hotel St. Moritz's affable employees, fashion only draws us further into the enchantment of our destination.
Style is a way to show who you are, and the French know that better than most. Ergo, it will surprise nobody that Air France has sported some of the most stunning in-flight uniforms since the airline’s inception in 1945. Christian Dior, Cristobol Balenciaga, Nina Ricci, Jean Patou, and Pierre Cardin have all spun their magic for Air France’s in-flight wardrobe. Since 2005, spiffy crews have been proud to fly only in couture designer Christian Lacroix’s incomparable combination of 100 harmonious items—from soldier blue jackets to Parisian scarves to bow-adorned sashes to Hollywood heyday-esque, form-fitting, red gloves. Add in the complimentary champagne poured in every class of service, and Air France flights feel like front row seats at a fashion show. airfrance.com 52
Christian LaCroix for Air France uniform
PHOTO COURTESY OF AIR FRANCE
AIR FRANCE
