In 1969, Air France appointed Cristóbal Balenciaga as the designer for its new uniforms.

The fall/winter uniforms were made of navy twill, with collarless jackets featuring flap pockets on the chest and sleeves for a functional look. The full, tight skirts featured Balenciaga's signature pocket placement. Pre-World War II flight attendant uniforms evolved from military uniforms, but as the image of war faded, they evolved to express elegant femininity. However, Balenciaga instead portrayed an intellectual feminine style, featuring suits, hats, and boots with a mannish vibe reminiscent of military uniforms. For spring/summer, the uniforms were changed to pale pink and pale blue double-breasted, short-sleeved suits. The baseball cap-like hats also evoked a modernist feel. Coco Chanel once said of Balenciaga, "He is the only true couturier." This is evidenced by the 1968 "May Revolution," when Balenciaga, aware of the growing trend toward ready-to-wear, declared, "I know too much about couture to work in ready-to-wear," and closed his house. In other words, the Air France uniforms he designed in 1969 were his final project as a couturier. According to Souillott, "The hiring of Balenciaga was met with mixed reactions within the company. Ready-to-wear was a time of growing democratization in fashion, and many felt it was a step backward." Ultimately, the uniforms became a symbol of the image of an independent woman, a style that continued into the 1970s and became one of the most beautiful uniforms. Continued on 5/6.