Emilia Wickstead’s New Uniforms for Air New Zealand Are a Celebration of the Spirit of Aotearoa (2025)

In New Zealand, few garments carry more meaning than the uniforms of the national airline. For Emilia Wickstead — the country’s most celebrated designer — they are more than clothing; they are an emblem of identity. Like many Kiwis returning from abroad, she sees the Air New Zealand uniform as a quiet but powerful sign of home. And for the 6,000 staff who wear it, the uniform is more than a job requirement — it’s a mantle of national pride, turning each of them into an ambassador for Aotearoa.

So when Air New Zealand asked Wickstead to design their new uniforms, it was a lifetime dream come true.

At 41, Emilia Wickstead is one of the most influential designers of her generation. Her London-based fashion house is a fixture on the international stage, known for its modern elegance and sculptural tailoring. She dresses royalty — including the Princess of Wales — as well as red-carpet regulars and fashion insiders who gravitate toward her refined, feminine silhouettes. Born in Auckland, she grew up studying her seamstress mother with the kind of intensity that might have foreshadowed her future. The family moved to Italy when Emilia was in high school, and later she moved to London to study at Central Saint Martins. It was there she built both her business and her family — but her ties to New Zealand remained strong, woven into her values and the way she approaches her work.

“New Zealand inspires me. Its landscapes, its people, and its Māori culture. And to be able to work on something that reflects the heart and soul of Aotearoa is a privilege I will never quite get over,” Wickstead T+L in Auckland before the reveal.

It has been more than three years since Air New Zealand announced that Wickstead would design the new uniforms — the first update since the current set debuted more than 14 years ago. The project has been shrouded in secrecy, with even many corporate staff kept in the dark until the official reveal, held Thursday night in a blacked-out shed on Auckland’s waterfront.

At the event, Wickstead wept. “This uniform is about more than designing a piece of fashion—or a collection. I do that all the time,” she said. “I sometimes do that six times a year. But this is so different, this is about creating something that speaks to the very essence of this beautiful country and the people that call it home.”

With immaculate tailoring and elegant silhouettes, the new uniforms speak loudly — and unmistakably — to Emilia Wickstead’s design ethos. Pinstriped, double-breasted jackets, softly knotted necklines, and masterful draping bring a sense of modern sophistication to each piece.

But the soul of the uniform lives in its details — particularly in the hand-drawn prints by tā moko (traditional Māori tattoo) artist Te Rangitu Netana, whose work weaves cultural storytelling directly into the fabric.

“Each print is a story, deeply rooted in the traditions and values of Aotearoa,” says Netana. “The patterns on this uniform are a reflection of the land, the sea, and the connections that bind us all as Kiwi. As a Māori artist on the world stage, I feel a deep responsibility in ensuring our culture is represented in a way that is authentic and meaningful.”

Pilot jackets are lined with Netana’s kiwi feather pattern — a nod to the kahu kiwi, a traditional cloak made from kiwi feathers, once worn by chiefs as a symbol of leadership and prestige.

“There was that idea that they were putting on their cloak, their role of responsibility and carrying that weight on their shoulder – and it was for them,” Wickstead explained. “As you walk, it’s bringing that mana back to how we dress and how our spiritual kind of self should represent.”

Dresses are adorned with a deep purple kōwhai print, inspired by the Māori story of Ngatoro-i-Rangi, symbolizing protection, responsibility, and belonging. Blouses feature traditional purapura whetū motifs — star-like patterns — all hand-drawn by Netana.

“The uniform tells a story. A story of heritage, of connection of the land, of pride of our Maori culture and of the future we continue to innovate while honoring the traditions that have shaped us,” says Emilia.

The uniform lineup also includes a Ie Faitaga — a kilt-like Polynesian garment traditionally worn by men — which Air New Zealand will trial with its Pasifika team members.

“It’s a true reflection of the values Air New Zealand represents. Innovation. Inclusivity. And cultural integrity. We wanted to create something that would empower the wearers, and something that would make them so confident and connected to Aotearoa every time they step out in it,” says Wickstead.

Empowering Air New Zealand staff was at the heart of the project for Wickstead. But it also offered a rare opportunity: to present her homeland to the world through the lens of design.

“This is my chance to shine a light on New Zealand as a whole — to tell stories that connect us to our ancestors and to share parts of our culture that many people around the world may not yet know.”

Air New Zealand will begin trialing the uniforms onboard in May, followed by a period of testing and staff feedback. The full rollout is scheduled to begin across the airline’s network in 2026.

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