Aerospace Bristol celebrates flight and fashion in new British Airways exhibition

Aerospace Bristol, home to the last Concorde to ever fly, is celebrating its seventh anniversary with the launch of a fashion exhibition, showcasing iconic British Airways uniforms from the 1940s to today.

Since opening its doors in October 2017, Aerospace Bristol has welcomed hundreds of thousands of visitors, preserving the city’s rich aerospace heritage while inspiring the next generation of engineers. The museum continues to grow, with 2023 marking a record number of school visits and its highest visitor numbers to date.

This autumn, Aerospace Bristol turns its attention to fashion, with The Fashion of Flight.

The Fashion of Flight showcases a variety of British Airways cabin crew and flight crew uniforms, from 1940s to modern-day designs. Among the highlights are some of the most outlandish pieces in history, including the BOAC paper dress designed for flights to the Caribbean and the entirely tartan uniform once used by Caledonian Airways.

The exhibition explores the evolution of airline uniforms, emphasising their impact on both fashion and aviation. From the innovative paper dress to contemporary designs, the collection reveals how these uniforms reflect significant changes in history, culture, and style.

Amy Seadon, Head of Collections, Learning & Interpretation at Aerospace Bristol, said: “Airline cabin crew have long been associated with first-class service and meticulously coiffured appearances. This exhibition highlights the shifts in societal norms through the decades and illustrates the transition from high fashion to practical functionality in cabin crew uniforms.

"We are incredibly grateful to British Airways for their support and look forward to welcoming everyone to experience the exhibition as part of a day out at Aerospace Bristol.”

Daphne Oldfield, a retired BOAC cabin crew member and Aerospace Bristol volunteer, recalls: “I remember my first uniform was a mini, just above the knee in raspberry pink with a zip up the front, with and a little sassy belt at the back that looked like a hairdressers’ overall.

"Just before that we had paper dresses for the Caribbean, which you cut to your preferred length. You can imagine some girls wanted it up high, and got told off. Guys in the aisle would be trying to light your dress with a lighter. Those dresses didn’t last long.”

The Fashion of Flight will be open from October 17 to November 17 and is included with admission to Aerospace Bristol.

• For more information, visit aerospacebristol.org/fashion-of-flight.