PIA selects HSY to design new cabin crew uniforms, rollout from Oct 31

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has selected fashion designer Hassan Sheheryar Yasin, popularly known as HSY, to design its new cabin crew uniforms, with the new outfits set to enter service on October 31, the national flag carrier announced on Thursday.

According to the PIA, the uniforms will make their operational debut on the inaugural London-to-Islamabad flight of PIA’s newly acquired Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

“Runway to Runway: HSY to design the new look of PIA Crew,” the airline said in its post, adding that it was “bringing runway glamour back to the skies”.

“In a celebration of heritage, modern elegance, and warm hospitality, the national flag carrier has officially chosen celebrated couturier Hassan Sheheryar Yasin (HSY) to design the new look of PIA Crew,” the post read.

PIA said the airline had long held “a singular tradition of bridging commercial aviation with world-class fashion”.

“In 1966, legendary French designer Pierre Cardin designed PIA’s pioneering A-line tunic and hood, defining aviation chic across the globe,” it said.

“That heritage was enriched in the 1970s by Queen Elizabeth II’s royal couturier, Sir Hardy Amies, who brought refined tailoring to the skies, followed in recent years by contemporary master Nomi Ansari whose uniform inspiration lasted PIA for 12 years.”

Runway to Runway:
HSY to design the new look of PIA Crew#PIA is bringing runway glamour back to the skies. In a celebration of heritage, modern elegance, and warm hospitality, the national flag carrier has officially chosen celebrated couturier Hassan Sheheryar Yasin (HSY)… pic.twitter.com/U1wNiE8FVj

— PIA (@Official_PIA) October 22, 2026

The move comes as PIA enters a new phase following the transfer of management control to PIA Equity Limited, the special purpose vehicle of the Arif Habib-led consortium, on June 29.

PIA’s official company profile says PIA Equity Limited currently holds a 66.67 per cent stake in the airline, with the remaining 33.33 per cent held by PIA Holding Company Limited.

The selection follows a showcase in Karachi last month in which 10 leading Pakistani designers and fashion houses presented concepts for the national carrier’s new uniforms. The designs were assessed by a panel of fashion industry figures and an experienced PIA aviation professional.

The participating designers included Maheen Khan, Deepak and Fahad, Generation, Ismail Farid, Munib Nawaz, Deepak Perwani, Faraz Manan, Amir Adnan, HSY and Nomi Ansari.

PIA described the new uniforms as designed for long-haul durability and ease of movement, using breathable fabrics and structured tailoring to meet the practical demands of cabin crew duties.

“Designing for our national flag carrier is about capturing our collective pride and the genuine warmth of Pakistani hospitality,” Yasin said.

He said the designs sought to reflect Pakistan’s heritage while incorporating contemporary fashion, adding that comfort and confidence for crew members were central considerations.

The judging panel included Shamoon Sultan, founder and chief executive of Khaadi; couturier Nilofer Shahid; fashion and beauty expert Nabila; Hina Tayyaba Khalil, vice-chancellor of the Pakistan Institute of Fashion and Design; and Naseem Tehrani, a PIA veteran with 33 years of aviation experience.

A legacy of designer uniforms

PIA has a long history of collaborating with prominent designers to establish a distinctive look for its cabin crew.

In 1966, French designer Pierre Cardin created the airline’s iconic A-line tunic and hood, a design that became closely associated with PIA’s international image. British designer Sir Hardy Amies, known for his work for Queen Elizabeth II, subsequently contributed to the airline’s fashion legacy in the 1970s.

Pakistani designers later continued that tradition. The current uniforms were introduced in 2016 following a design initiative involving local fashion professionals, including Nomi Ansari and Sania Maskatiya.

The latest change comes as PIA seeks to refresh its image following the transfer of management control to the Arif Habib-led consortium in June 2026. The airline has also been working to expand its international operations, including increasing flights to London.

PIA’s September uniform showcase attracted discussion on social media, with some users welcoming the design initiative while others called for greater attention to aircraft maintenance, operational reliability and passenger service.

The introduction of the new uniforms will mark another change in the visual identity of the national carrier, whose cabin crew attire has long been part of its public image.