Sir Richard Branson’s new cruise line, Virgin Voyages (which set sail in April 2020) revealed their game-changing crew uniform capsule collection last night. The collection is designed by maverick British fashion designer Gareth Pugh and is yet another way Virgin Voyages is shaking up the industry and making their own rules.
The uniforms were unveiled at a London Fashion Week celebration hosted by Virgin Voyages and Gareth Pugh last night at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden. The evening featured a surprise performance by Christina Aguilera and Sink the Pink – both of whom dressed in Pugh original designs. Christina Aguilera’s surprise performance included her hits Dirty, Ain’t No Other Man, Lady Marmalade and Candyman, among others.
Celebrity guests included: Sir Richard Branson, Gareth Pugh, Christina Aguilera, Billy Porter, Stella Maxwell, Jordan Barrett, Josephine de la Baume, Aquaria, Michele Lamy, Vick Hope, Mimi Xu, Laura Whitmore, Laurie-Lynn Stark, Kristian Stark, Chidera Eggerue, Lilah Parsons, Raven Smith, Siobhan Bell, Pippa Bennett-Warner and Lulu Kennedy.
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 15: Christina Aguilera attends the Virgin Voyages and Gareth Pugh collaboration launch party at The Royal Opera House on September 15, 2019 in London, England.
The uniform collection pairs Pugh’s high-fashion modernist approach with Virgin Voyages’ design ethos of the Modern Romance of Sailing, which embodies a love of the sea and the glory and sophistication of the heyday of the ocean liner with a contemporary yacht-like style. The collection features a distinct combination of structure and fluidity and includes a wide range of looks from slick razor-sharp tailoring, leather body-con evening wear, to relaxed pillow-case tunic shirts – referencing the early days of British punk. Putting a twist on the iconic red high-heel worn by Virgin Atlantic, many of Pugh’s designs will be paired with the Mulberry, red sneakers made by San Francisco-based PLAE. The gender neutral, PLAE sneakers are intended to playfully contrast Pugh’s designs for a cheeky yet elevated look true to the Virgin Voyages spirit.