Zambesi red-faced on Air NZ garb
According to reports across New Zealand media, including The Dominion Post newspaper, the fashion house has agreed to ditch the fine merino used in the national airline's 3000 staff uniforms, in the wake of staff complaints over creasing and staining.
The report claimed an Air New Zealand spokesperson said a harder-wearing merino wool might still be worked into the uniforms, either as a part of a blended fabrication or in sections of the apparel that did not need to be hard-wearing.
The re-think followed a survey six months into the use of the new uniforms - originally launched last October and rolled out to all staff by March this year - as well as letters, surveys and comments to newspapers in which passengers and staff complained that the colour scheme made wearers look as though they'd "just vomited", The Post noted.
Female staff in uniform were described as looking like "prison wardens", with many complainants stating the uniform was unflattering on any woman size 14 or over, while male staff also noted the "embarrassingly tight cut of the trousers".
The report confirmed new-look male trousers would be roomier, while lightweight shirts and a wider range of knitwear and scarves would be added to the 12-piece range, although the teal-and-grey colour scheme would remain.
Air New Zealand declined to release figures on the cost of the uniforms but it was estimated a single uniform issued to each staff member would cost the airline $2 million, with most employees requiring more than one uniform.
Zambesi was unavailable for comment at the time of press.