Braniff's new president, Harding Lawrence, set about to completely redefine what an airline was about. Overnight the look of the aviation industry changed. Part of this innovation was the unveiling of the "Gemini 4" uniform by Italian designer, Emilio Pucci, on July 19, 1965. The bold new uniform entered fashion history when the Braniff "air strip" became standard fare the following September.

The complete uniform consisted of several components. Hostesses greeted passengers in a reversible wool coat accessorized with a pillbox hat and Pucci print velvet scarf. Beneath was a brilliant pink wool suit worn over a blue silk turtle neck tunic and culottes. For meal service the uniform was supplemented with a colorful apron dress called a "Puccino." Hostesses removed the outer layers of the uniform during the flight ultimately ending up in the tunic-culottes combination. A plastic bubble headdress was occasionally worn during inclement weather.

Hyacinth blue silk jersey tunic top.
M87.38.30 a
Gift of the Clipped B's

Pucci pink wool gabardine jacket with wrap skirt.
M87.38.11 a, b
Gift of the Clipped B's

Reversible wool overcoat and matching vinyl boots
TL1997.1
Courtesy of the Texas Fashion Collection