Adil Najam
The 1960s PIA advertisement that had been featured as the ATP Picture of the Day on 12 June, 2006 is one of the most visited blogpost to date.
We had featured a second PIA Ad from that era on June 24, 2006, which is also interesting but got considerably less attention.
Today, as I prepare to catch my PIA flight to Pakistan (this evening) I thought I might repost it. As we have commented on various occasions, the edge has come off PIA. Sometimes one wonders if the wings will too. I hope they won’t; at least not today!
The crew I will encounter tonight will be wearing a different set of uniforms, but the PIA crew uniform from the 1960s has an interesting pedigree to it. That celebrated uniform is featured in this PIA ad.
According to PIA literature:
In 1966, Pierre Cardin, the renowned French fashion designer, came up with the legendary fawn and moss green summer and winter uniform edged with turquoise. The uniform consisted of a short, easy fitting “A” line tunic, slim-line trousers and imaginatively moulded dupatta that not only covered heads but also turned heads. The uniform became an instant hit, the slim-line trousers immediately were dubbed as ‘PIA Pajamas’. Fashion-conscious young ladies, all across Pakistan, copied Cardin’s design eagerly. This popular uniform design was used by the airline from 1966 to 1975.
Anyhow, combined with the other one, or alone, what–if anything–does this ad say about how Pakistan saw itself; then and now?
Thanks Khurram… maybe there is a subconcious theme here… I had thought of doing something on Musharraf’s uniform but did not have the time…. plus, I think the 1960s PIA uniform was so much smarter
Speaking of uniforms, Mr. Musharraf has agreed to remove his.
Very nice. There should be a move to use the policies of that era modified for today’s world.
I agree with Daktar sahab, all is not lost yet and PIA seems to be making some efforts these days to recapture some of that past glory.
I hope that you are right about that…I come from a PIA family and have close emotional attachments with the company…
Actually PIA used to be excellent. Its reputation was kind of like what Singapore Airlines or Emirates has today. Cutting edge, effecient, friendly and fun. I think many of the people who started Emirates were PIA people. But, let me also say that PIA may be on its way back. New planes, new designs, and hopefully new attitudes.
Very true. The PIA of today seems to be a far cry seems to be a far cry from that of the 60’s. The decline in fortunes of our national air carrier seem to mirror that of the progressiveness in our society in general.
Indeed, the uniform looks spectacular…and the entire atitude seems so positive..I’m in love with this era…The Pakistan that I see looks free of worry and expresses itself beautifully…