Pucci's "Space Bubble," 1967
..."The time had come, we decided, to add the last finishing touches to the airplane, and make it the nicest- not just the fastest- way to travel. We looked around for people who could take the idea and make it work. And we settled on two men. Alexander Girard. Emilio Pucci...In a little more than 6 months, Girard & Pucci initiated 17,543 changes. We have the most beautiful airline in the world."
-Braniff International, 1965 "End of the Plain Plane" campaign
Braniff's "End of the Plain Plane" print ad
In 1965 Braniff International Airlines, based in Dallas, Texas, became the epicenter of cool design! "End of the Plain Plane" was launched with a seemingly unlimited budget to take the idea of luxury travel, for the masses, to a new level. Braniff sought out two of the most popular designers of the day- famed American textile, architectural, & industrial designer Alexander Girard, & illustrious, Italian fashion designer Emilio Pucci. They were essentially given free reign for a total re-design over anything and everything that represented Braniff International Airlines.
Girard's new Braniff logo, 1965
The"End of the Plain Plane" campaign, which began in 1965 & ran through the mid-1970's, soon represented the best in Mid Century design. Girard, who was the textile Design Director for Herman Miller, brought in the latest in high quality commercial wools for plane and airport lounge interiors. His designs were were so all encompassing that everything from the space age Braniff Terminal of the Future at Love Field (1968), the Braniff ticket counters, and airport lounge furniture to the airplane serving pieces, napkins & sugar, and all other Braniff emphemera designs were conceived by Girard. Alexander Girard also designed the main logo, a stylized dove form, originally entitled "the blue bird of happiness."
Girard designed airport lounge with Herman Miller Eames furniture
Braniff First Class Porcelain Mugs
Girard's Braniff plates
Terminal of the Future, Dallas' Love Field, 1968
In 1968, Girard designed the interior for the infamous Hostess College at Dallas' Love Field. The building, 6 stories in total, had three dormitory floors each with their own color scheme, modern furniture, and Central & South American crafts- Girard was a huge collector of this work it & often influenced much of his textile & wallpaper designs. In total the building contained furniture and murals containing 56 different Herman Miller fabrics.
Hostess in her room, c.1968 @Braniff Hostess College, Dallas interiors by Alexander Girard
Hostesses in Pucci, @Hostess College, c. 1968
Braniff Hostess College, 1968
Sadly, although the original college building is still there, almost nothing exists from the Alexander Girard design. All but the original, round fireplace and one Herman Miller wall hanging was stripped out years ago...
Emilio Pucci was given the task of re-imagining the airline uniforms. Pucci's creations became not just a new look, but a re-invention of the commercial uniform. While the airline pilot's uniforms, based on a nautical look, were pretty straightforward. The Air Hostess (as they were called at the time) uniforms broke away from the drab. The line came to be know as the "Air Strip," for its ability to be totally convertible. Drawing from contemporary high fashion influences- the swing coat, high boot, fur coat- as well as space age ferver with his air hostess "Space Bubble," Pucci created an unprecedented collection for each air hostess- all women at the time- to suit each airline interior, and air route. There were several collections designed for Braniff- one for each year. It was an incredible achievement!
Pucci I for Braniff, early collection, c. 1965
Pucci uniforms in front of Girard's plane color scheme, c, 1965
Pucci II uniforms, c. 1966-67
Pucci uniforms w/accessories, c. 1967-68
"Air Strip" campaign print ad, c. 1967
two Braniff Pucci looks from the 60's
Pucci's "Rain Dome", aka "Space Bubble" with Pucci scarf I love this look! Doesn't this model look a bit like David Bowie?
Braniff Hostesses modeling Pucci II, c. 1966-67 check out the shoes! too cool.
Even though Braniff Airlines went of business in the 1980's, their legacy fueled by unbridled enthusiasm to be inventive, cutting edge, hip, beautiful, and extraordinary will forever be on the minds of those who love the bold designs of the 1960's.
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