Chic blue tunic, stylish cap and a wig to match

Low cost carrier Indigo Airlines may have taken the idea of a ‘uniform look’ a bit too literally.
As a part of its makeover, the airline has not only given its flight attendants a chic blue tunic and a stylish cap, but also a wig to match.
While airlines going for a complete makeover are nothing new, making flight attendants wear wigs is a first in Indian aviation history.
“We wanted the crew to have a young and international look,” explained stylist Ambika Pillai, who has been grooming the Indigo crew since its inception four years ago. “Long hair or hair buns would not go with the image,’’ she said.
According to her, the wig was introduced as part of the attire as some of the attendants had issues with cropping their hair short. “Tucking long hair in this wig is easy. The wig is a styled as short wedge cut and makes them look smarter and younger,” she said.
However, sources said, there was some initial resistance to these wigs. “You can’t force a person to wear it,” the source added, though Pillai claimed she has not received any complaints from the crew regarding the hair pieces.
According to sources, for a few days after the launch of the new look on August 15, it was mandatory for the crew to wear the wigs but now they have been given an option to style their hair in a couple of different ways which goes with the overall chic look. Those with long hair and who do not wish to wear wigs can do a French roll hair or tie bun in a different fashion, sources said.
Some of the crew members however have found the wig to be a more practical option. “You do not need to spend time doing up your hair and can tuck it in the wig and get going,” a crew member said.
Meanwhile flight attendants wearing the wigs have been putting up a brave front in the face of severe scrutiny by curious passengers.
15/09/10 Aneesh Phadnis/Pune Mirror