Here’s a blast from my childhood when we used to fly through Kennedy Airport NYC in the 1960’s & 70’s…
The restored TWA terminal + hotel is like stepping back in time – in space, light, clothing, the click-click sound of the flight boards, a huge central clock, the beauty of the airplanes…awe, wonder, the age of global flight.
I grew up in Asia, and I recall fondly how our family was often airborne. Flying was chic, fun, and an adventure. We dressed up, got flight pins and certificates, and learned about each type of aircraft, how the seats and trays worked, and, yes, about the legendary Howard Hughes. This was the start of what we know now as everyday, unglamorous steel-your-girds air travel.
To walk into Finish architect Aero Saarinen’s TWA Terminal at JFK Airport is to enter a space of elegant lines, curvilinear ceilings, oval light portals, soft ‘paperclip’ like balustrades, comfy seating, a theater of red and white, with miles of tiled floors in tiny perfect roundels, called ‘midget ceramic tile.’ The detailed renderings are outstanding!
In its fantastic new incarnation, it is a hotel—rooms decorated with vintage retro travel posters. There is a restaurant, a rooftop pool overlooking the runways, and a cool bar in the Connie, the famous Constellation plane parked outside. Inside the 744 sq ft cabin are murals of exotic destinations by artist Maric Zaparelli. Friends and I went for a girl’s weekend and played in every space. Reunions, dinner parties, and weary travelers fill the space, yet they don’t, as the design is like a gentle swirl absorbing chaos and softening our busy world.
A marvelous and thorough exhibition of every generation of TWA uniforms is on view on one of the upper concourses. Every era of elegant uniform defines the evolving role of the flight attendant and crew.
It’s a veritable who’s who of fashion designers: Harper, Balmain, Oleg Cassini, Valentino….each one speaks of a specific era of style, identity, and practicality.
Howard Greer, 1944-1955 ‘Intelligence. Tact. Charm’ reads the label. The trim and structured silhouettes of military uniforms, including faux epaulets, inspired this Hollywood couturier. Most delightful is the ‘cut out’ embroidered TWA logo on the jacket. A new non-bunching rayon blouse was a big improvement. And the stylish hat sported a ‘cockade’ on one side. They are lovely uniforms.
For a brief stint, 1955-1965, Oleg Cassini designed the TWA couture too. This was considered a real plum, as he had designed First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy’s wardrobe. He re tooled Greer’s cut out logo into a solid embroidered panel, on brown and soft green wool suiting, very shapely and tailored. The hostesses even wore the same red lipstick and nail color as Jackie!
In part honoring the popular transatlantic flight to Paris in 1965 the legendary French designer Balmain created smart and feminine suits. Balmain’s palette were the soft colors of baby blue and sea foam, little Peter Pan collars, snap-in cuffs, and of course – a beret!
By 1968, the uniforms were swinging with the times. Dalton of America created the ‘un-uniform’ – mix and match pieces in bold jewel colors. Plaids for summer and bright stripes for winter. Including snappy hooded raincoat ponchos. This invited hostesses (as they were called) to experiment with wearing different colors together, a headband, beret, scarves, pumps, or knee-high boots. I could really identify with this look and wanted to dress just like these women!
Famed Italian Valentino designed the suite from 1971-1975 and what an elegant look, complete with rain gear and scarves – all machine washable and drip dry. Everything worked together! Add in a snappy safari shirtdress worn over HOT PANTS! Along with multi-colored luggage, Valentino was a true favorite of the TWA team.
