Designer Richard Tyler unveils Delta's new look at Fashion Week

<p>Regal red wrap dresses, tailored jackets with sexy silhouettes and subtle gold accessories headlined designer Richard Tyler's new collection at New York Fashion Week _ and the chic statement left many wanting to dress like Delta Air Lines flight attendants.</p><p>Delta's new uniforms shared the catwalk with Tyler's couture gowns Friday, as the Los Angeles-based designer previewed a fresh look for the airline's 20,000 employees. The sleek outfits even had some guessing whether they were part of the Delta line or belonged with the eveningwear.</p><p>"They're not like uniforms, they're so fashion-worthy," Tyler said. "They're pieces you could buy. They're classic, beautiful, what fashion should be."</p><p>Delta commissioned Tyler last year to give its current uniforms a makeover. The struggling carrier views the uniforms as a way to boost morale among employees and customers after it lost $5.2 billion last year and barely avoided bankruptcy.</p><p>Delta's low-cost subsidiary, Song, had Kate Spade design its flight attendants' uniforms, and Stan Herman lent his style to pilot uniforms for carriers such as United Airlines, JetBlue and the defunct Eastern Airlines.</p><p>Company officials would not disclose the price tag for Tyler's makeover, but research and development for new uniforms typically breaks down to about $1,000 per employee.</p><p>The outfits were designed for employees who deal directly with customers, including flight attendants, gate agents, ticket agents and workers in its Crown Room Club airport lounges.</p><p>Compared to Delta's more casual uniforms designed in 2001, Tyler's look is "more professional, more elegant, more long-lasting, and more timeless," said Patrice Miles, Delta's vice president of consumer marketing.</p><p>On Friday, he showcased red taffeta wrap dresses, a black reversible hooded coat, a double-breasted dress in navy stretch wool and his personal favorite: a cabin service apron tailored to look like a halter dress.</p><p>"The colors will pop. It's midnight navy. A bold red. Platinum and gold," Miles said.</p><p>She added that the pieces will have a final test for fit and durability before the uniforms are distributed to employees early next year.</p><p>___</p><p>On the Net:</p><p>HASH(0x2866760)</p><p>___</p><p>AP Fashion Writer Samantha Critchell in New York contributed to this report.</p>

http://accesswdun.com/article/2005/2/152019