Delta Air Lines’ new uniforms combine style, tech and function on a different kind of runway
Company Delta Air Lines
Introduction Date May 29, 2018
Project Website https://news.delta.com/category/uniforms
Why is this project worthy of an award?
Overview: When fashion and technology are purposefully combined, innovative designs take flight. Enter Delta’s all-new uniform, debuting on 64,000 Delta employees May 29, 2018. Delta’s last uniform update was in 2006 for above-wing employees like gate agents and flight attendants, and in 2000 for below-wing employees (bag handlers, mechanics, etc.). This next iteration had to incorporate innovation and style that would remain relevant for years, and visually represent Delta as the leading global airline among other carriers and color pallets. So Delta sought out designer Zac Posen, known for classic, yet modern designs that combine innovation and style. Lands’ End delivered Posen’s designs with cutting-edge materials to stretch, flex and repel spills while conquering the elements and looking impossibly chic and safe. Delta’s new uniform gives a nod to the airline’s storied past while considering each of the 64,000 passionate frontline employees representing countless varying shapes, sizes, skin tones and job responsibilities. Combined, the new pieces tell the world that while Delta is a timeless, safe and trusted brand, it is also thoughtful, innovative and reliable in its approach to serving customers through its professional and recognizable employees along every step of their journey. The Process: Delta’s uniforms were developed over three+ years. The airline established a Cross-Divisional Uniform Committee (CDUC) of frontline employees and employee voices were represented through surveys, testing and focus groups in concept, design and supplier reviews – going far above and beyond any other company uniform design process. After wearing red, white and blue uniforms for nearly 35 years and blending in with other U.S. carriers, wholly reimaged colors elevate the Delta brand with hues of Passport Plum, Cruising Cardinal, Groundspeed Graphite, Traveling Thistle and Skyline Slate. Following a 2016 reveal fashion show featuring employees, a specially designed trunk with uniform samples traveled to 20+ cities, giving employees a chance to feel and examine the initial designs. Interactive holograms featuring CDUC members were also available to answer the hottest employee questions with the click of a button. Delta surpassed the norm by conducted three months of in-job wear testing with 1,000 employees in diverse climates around the globe. Over 150 hours of focus groups and job shadows, 30,000 survey responses and thousands of emails drove 170+ changes to the 2016 designs. The airline also worked with Lands’ End to perform extensive testing and factory visits, beyond the meticulous process applied their own collection, to ensure employee safety from thread and fastener to fully constructed pieces. Delta partnered with Savannah College of Art and Design to design an immersive, personalized uniform fitting experience in 16 global cities. An online fit tool was also available for employees to use in the comfort of their own homes. Upgrading from a black and white look book of years past, Delta launched a digital, interactive Style Guide with 24 videos and interactive components to help employees learn the new wearing requirements. And with hundreds of thousands of uniform pieces retiring, Delta partnered with Looptworks to keep uniform pieces out of landfills.
What else would you like to share about your design? Why is it unique and innovative?
Delta uniform garments are the direct result of employee feedback, with elevated technology, form, fit and function. Through employee influence, these uniforms are built meticulously for the jobs employees perform every day in diverse environments. To be more body inclusive, expanded sizes and lengths were added to the collection and pants are pre-hemmed to fit. The above-wing uniforms had to be industrial, elegant, timeless, as well as be able to take the wear and tear that occurs performing the duties of the job. See the innovative details below: Fabric Features: • Natural fibers and stretch • Wrinkle-and-stain-resistant • Added breathability/Moisture Wicking • Water repellant • Deodorizing finish • Four-way stretch qualities in wool uniform pieces • Elastic waistband inserts with gripper technology to keep shirts tucked • Washable wool suiting for ease of care Design Highlights: • Men’s blazer features specially designed passport and pen pockets, sweat guards in the armpits, stretch panel in the back/shoulder area and microphone clips • Delta widgets on the liners of all of the blazers/vests and embossed on the buttons • ACS & IFS Exclusive Dresses feature hidden pockets, providing easy access to pens and glasses • The collar of the women’s blouses were inspired by the wing of an airplane, creating an unexpected, signature detail • The women’s red coat blazer features a satin lapel, tone-on-tone drop stitching and a satin piping finish • A full accessory and outwear line was thoughtfully developed for style and function, including gloves, coats, bags, scarves, aprons and pre-folded pocket squares When Delta began conceptualizing the redesign of its uniforms for below-wing employees, an emphasis on function, comfort, durability and safety were used to create the 60-plus-piece collection. Fabric Details: • Rain jacket, pants and shorts are made from breathable nylon and are all waterproof, windproof and have moisture-wicking properties • Rapid-dry polo features no-curl technology on the collar and heat-transferred reflective stripes to provide safety • Poly-blend fabric of the uniforms was treated for wicking, stain release and water repellency • The workshirt, cargo pants/shorts were constructed using ripstop fabric, a type of weave that involves a special reinforcement technique, making it resistant to tearing (same fabric used by the military) • Cargo shorts include gussets at the crotch for ease of movement, preventing stress on seams • The polyester micro-fiber half-zip has an anti-static finish Design Details: • 3-in-1 jacket systems offer outermost layer with a clear PVC pocket so that ID badges remain visible, under-the-arm zips for ventilation and bungees on the sides and back of the hood to tightly secure • Polo features microphone clips at each shoulder, zipper plackets, ventilated collars for temperature control and a stitch-through pocket with a Sharpie compartment • Reflective safety vest piping borders the entirety of the vest for better visibility of movement, especially at night; Metalized prismatic reflective tape is two times brighter than other airlines • Each work group is noted on the upper sleeve of shirts and mid-layers for easy identification • A full accessory and outwear line was thoughtfully developed for safety and function including gloves, hats, base layers, rain jackets and bibs
Who worked on the project?
Ekrem Dimbiloglu, Director of Uniform Program - Delta Tim Mapes, SVP & CMO - Delta Gareth Joyce, SVP of Airport Customer Service & Cargo - Delta Allison Ausband, SVP of In-Flight Service - Delta Joe McDermott, MD of Cabin, Training & Support Services - Delta Zac Posen, Fashion Designer - Zac Posen Troy Tarantino, Senior Designer - Lands’ End
View the project video: https://player.piksel.com/p/o0454li7
DFAB 3D Printer
Company DWS Systems
Introduction Date March 1, 2017
Project Website http://www.dwssystems.com/3d-printers/dental-lab DFAB-clinic/
Why is this project worthy of an award?
The DFAB is the first 3D printer designed to fit and operate in a dentist's office to enable dentists and prosthodontists to make dental prostheses more quickly and without outsourcing to external dental labs. The DFAB can produce a five-element precision bridge in less than 20 minutes, unlike the many hours this process takes using traditional methods. While patients desire prosthetics that feel like real teeth, they also want them to look natural and match the color of their own teeth. The DFAB makes this possible by effectively replicating patient-specific color gradients using DWS's revolutionary Photoshade technology.
What else would you like to share about your design? Why is it unique and innovative?
DWS's Photoshade technology can reproduce the color of a patient's teeth, including different shades, giving the prosthesis a completely natural look. It can produce Class IIa restorations (EU certification) in one session without the need to outsource work to a dental lab. The workflow is designed to be very smooth, with software that offers a guided procedure with ready-to-use and disposable cartridges for the printing material. The printer has a small footprint to fit easily into the dentist's workspace, and it is silent without generating dust, unlike traditional solutions.
Who worked on the project?
Maurizio Costabeber, CTO / Renzo Busato, Designer
View the project video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6dZTH18ADo
Eco-friendly Eyewear
Company Blue Planet Eyewear
Introduction Date November 1, 2009
Project Website https://blueplaneteyewear.com/
Why is this project worthy of an award?
Blue Planet Eyewear is a mission-driven, eco-friendly brand of classic and eclectic eyewear thoughtfully designed and hand crafted to protect eyes, improve sight and add style while also working towards protecting and improving the well-being of our planet and its people. With a passion for doing its part for the planet, the brand perfectly combines fashion, beauty and social good with its unique eco-process which uses polycarbonate plastic that has been re-worked and re-ground from the leftover polycarbonate plastic of previous frame productions as well as incorporating sustainable bamboo and woods that create a natural look with an eco-friendly twist. Sunglasses and readers have undoubtedly become more of a fashion statement for the style conscious, but they are an absolute necessity when it comes to seeing more clearly and protecting eyes from the sun, as well as the elements. Unfortunately, most are manufactured with materials such as plastic, metal and paint that leave behind large deposits of waste—often toxic—which contribute to a growing global crisis. Though statistics like this are alarming, they are also becoming more transparent as a new generation of companies like Blue Planet Eyewear emerge to tackle some of the planet's most challenging problems. Building a thriving business around a mission to relieve the burden of waste, as well as help those who are visually impaired, Blue Planet Eyewear pushes the boundaries of change with fun and affordable products that have more than one purpose. Setting pace and trend with durable sunglasses and reading eyeglasses that are affordable, sustainable and fun, Blue Planet Eyewear is a brand for individuals who are committed to making socially responsible purchases that feel good, look good, and are good for our planet.
What else would you like to share about your design? Why is it unique and innovative?
In addition to selling trendy, affordable and sustainable sunglasses and readers, Blue Planet Eyewear is serious about philanthropy. The line is designed by husband and wife team Matt and Lisa Lawenda who collaborate on all aspects of creative and operational workings of the company. The couple is driven to ensure that the brand is changing lives every day while enhancing the well-being of the planet, in large part as a result of Matt’s experience working at an orphanage in Africa in 2012. This life-changing experience opened the couples’ eyes to the power their company could wield for good. Matt and Lisa recognized that with success comes responsibility and thus a passion was ignited to see Blue Planet Eyewear create a positive global impact. Blue Planet Eyewear uses excess inventory of sunglasses and reading glasses for its Visualize Change program in which the brand donates a pair of glasses for every pair sold. The brand has forged meaningful relationships with four humanitarian organizations who distribute the brand’s donations to those in need. To date, Blue Planet Eyewear has donated over 500,000 pairs of eyewear.
Who worked on the project?
Matt Weinstein - Vice President Lisa Lawenda - CEO
View the project video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqX_2fV3y3U
Empower Bra
Company Athleta
Introduction Date September 25, 2017
Project Website http://www.athleta.net/2017/09/30/meet-the-designers-empower-bra/
Why is this project worthy of an award?
Athleta is an apparel brand that values inclusivity and supports women and girls throughout the stages of their lives. In September, Athleta launched the Empower Bra, designed for women recovering from mastectomies, which features an extended mesh opening that holds most post-surgery prosthetics in place. Athleta decided to create the Empower Bra after hearing from women who’ve had mastectomies and found that Athleta products work better for them than other products on the market. After hearing these insights and feedback, we wanted to take it a step further by creating a bra that is specifically designed to meet the needs of women who’ve had a mastectomy. Our goal was to create a product that provided the right coverage, adjustability and comfort, to allow women to feel confident, as they embrace their healthy, active lifestyles post-surgery. Athleta consulted a double mastectomy, breast cancer survivor, during the the development of the bra and discovered: 1. Women who have had a Single Mastectomy, typically struggle with balancing out her chest, so she would DIY her bras to be even, stacking swim pads and such into her bra, to even out the look of her chest. 2. Women who have had a Bilateral (Double) Mastectomy, struggle with the weight of heavy prosthetics, which can get in the way of her comfort at the gym. 3. Women who have had mastectomies want to be able to shop at their favorite stores without feeling limited or excluded, given product availability for those who have had single or double mastectomies. After hearing this, our solution was to create the Empower Bra, a bra that women can wear comfortably and confidently.
What else would you like to share about your design? Why is it unique and innovative?
This bra has the ultimate adjustability from every direction: 1. The Fabric: On the sides of the torso/arm holes, the fabric and seams are soft and gentle. Due to sensitivities, soreness and scarring, we wanted to use a fabric that made her feel good, not irritated. The supportive, beyond-sleek compression fabric wicks and breathes, and is wire-free. 2. The straps: a. The straps have multiple degrees of lengths to accommodate her needs day by day – 9 different lengths and levels b. Adjusts in the front to protect any shoulder pain, sensitivities or injuries she might have 3. Multiple ways of entry: Depending on her comfort level that day (only bra that we know of with front and back entry.) a. The back – Adjustable hook and eye b. The front – Zips like a jacket Zipper garage protects against the zipper touching the skin; alleviates skin sensitivities Pull over – She can pull it on overhead, as is 4. Mesh Pockets: Extended bilateral mesh pocket for women who have undergone a single or double mastectomy to hold post-surgery prosthetics in place. 5. The Mesh Racer Back: Breathability and comfort during workouts. 6. Coverage/Style: The arm hole offers more coverage around the sides, and the mesh in the back keeps the piece stylish.
Who worked on the project?
Sarah Carlson – VP of Design Charlotte Lord – Merchandise Manager Vivienne Skinner – Sr. Manager of Technical Design Adriana Davila – Merchandiser Pamela Meyers – Sr. Manager of Design Victoria Quandt – Associate Designer Jocelyne Curran –Director of Marketing Sheila Shekar – Sr. Director of Marketing
View the project video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yscvdM-s5z8
Facial Wrinkle Flattening Patches
Why is this project worthy of an award?
To help women and men retain a more youthful appearance in a natural, safe, affordable, convenient way by minimizing the negative aging impression of facial wrinkles.
What else would you like to share about your design? Why is it unique and innovative?
Our line of 6 wrinkle patches shapes are unique and an innovation on 125 year old paper based patches (still on the market). Natural – alternative to Botox, expensive facial treatments, anti-wrinkle creams, fillers Facial Reset - relaxes underlying facial muscles, flattens deep set wrinkle lines, smooths out fine lines Prevention - slows down formation of wrinkle lines Comfortable - fits targeted wrinkle zones, won’t fall off, nearly invisible Economical – shapes can be bought separately, reusable, enhances efficacy of favorite skin care products UNISEX - created for women and men by Japanese make-up artist and skin care specialist Ms. Mimiko Odorless - medical grade plastic tape, hypo-allergenic, no additives, no latex
Who worked on the project?
Yumi Kadoi Peterson (Ms. Mimiko) created the patch designs and the entire project is her idea, Japanese from Tokyo, Japan Robert E. Peterson (her husband) - set up the manufacturing & distribution system, led package design, web site design and content, video production, marketing, AMAZON listing and manages the business day-to-day
View the project video: https://vimeo.com/toutenuit
