It’s a bit more difficult to fly Qantas these days – the pandemic year has decimated services – but the flying kangaroo is keeping people’s minds on travel with the release of a Qantas-branded range of hoodies, sweatshirts, T-shirts, even a beach tote.
It’s one way to burn those excess Qantas points!
Leading Australian fashion designer, Martin Grant has released a limited-edition athleisure-wear collection, showcasing a mix of the airline’s vintage logos to mark the Qantas centenary year.
The term “athleisure” dates way back to 2016, defined as “casual clothing designed to be worn for both exercising and for general use”.
Inspired by Qantas’ iconic trademarks throughout history, Grant set out to design a classic range of wardrobe staples for everyday wear.
It’s 100 years since Qantas first took to the skies, though the centennial celebrations have been overshadowed by the pandemic. Nostalgia is building for overseas flights, the real thing being suddenly hard to come by.
Australia Come Fly With Me, a TV documentary screening on SBS over three weeks, touches the same nerve. The first in the series screened last night. Hosted by much-loved actress, singer, musician, author and television host Justine Clarke, the three-part series is an amalgam of pop culture, the history of flight and the great shifts in Australian life that flying enabled. It celebrates the turbulent history of Australians in the air.
The Qantas “athleisure-wear” collection may harness the same sentiments: a yearning for flight, for the symbols of flight, and for the golden age of air travel.
Including cashmere sweaters, a hoodie, sweatshirts, t-shirts and a beach tote, Grant’s designs have fused Qantas’ iconic red and navy palette with a vivid wattle yellow to represent Australia’s native floral emblem.
Fashions have shifted since Qantas was founded 100 years ago
“This collection is all about classic shapes, comfortable styles and materials that are kind on the environment. But the hero of the designs are the iconic logos that evoke so many fond memories for Australians,” Grant said.
“The Qantas brand is embedded in the history of our country. I wanted this collection to be a nod to the past but also be a treasured piece for the future.”
According to a Qantas release: “Martin’s designs are showcased around the world on runways and Hollywood royalty. His reputation for simplicity and timeless silhouettes has also seen him design uniforms for Qantas’ pilots, cabin crew and ground staff as well as pyjamas and amenity kits for the airline’s First Class customers.”
Qantas cashmere sweater
Qantas Loyalty chief executive Olivia Wirth said the merchandise designed by the internationally recognised designer would be incredibly popular with customers.
“Qantas Frequent Flyers have a great fondness for our brand and heritage. Having our iconic logos appear in such a beautifully designed collection will make this range much sought after for people with a passion for both aviation and fashion.”
Martin Grant range
Cashmere Sweater RRP $425 / 73,910 Qantas Points
Hoodie RRP $275 / 47,820 Qantas Points
Sweatshirt RRP $250 / 43,470 Qantas Points
T-shirt RRP $150 / 26,080 Qantas Points
Beach Tote RRP $350 / 60,860 Qantas Points
The collection is available for purchase exclusively from the Qantas Rewards Store until sold out.
Qantas chic
Edited by Peter Needham
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Hey Peter – love the article but how sad that QF has hit rock bottom in not only selling stocked 747 bar carts and first class pyjamas and other knick knacks but now this “fashion” collection range!
I don’t own about you but I was stunned to read the prices, with $425 or $73,910 Qantas points for a Cashmere Sweater!
At $1 a point, you would have to have spent $73,910 with Qantas – that makes it an astronomically expensive sweater, even if it is cashmere, well at least in my book!
Also $275 for a Hoodie and a spend of $47,820, $250 for a Sweatshirt or a spend of $43,470, $150 for a T-shirt or a spend of $26,080 and a Beach Tote at $350 or a spend of $60,860!
Does this tell us how out of touch QANTAS is with the real world or maybe it is me that is out of touch?
John