Virgin Australia’s new P.E. Nation uniform design revealed for Tassie flights

The activewear trend has spawned a new partnership for Pip Edwards’ fashion empire, P.E. Nation, and Virgin Australia.

Pip Edwards, second from right, and Claire Tregoning (second from left), of P.E. Nation. Picture: Virgina Australia/P.E. Nation

The activewear craze that has engulfed the world during Covid has spawned a new partnership between airline giant Virgin Australia and fashion label, P.E. Nation.

Pip Edwards’ juggernaut brand will dress Virgin’s cabin crew and staff uniforms for flight routes to Tasmania.

The revamped uniforms feature an activewear spin on traditional airline attire, including a sleeveless black high-neck puffer vest, and a hooded bomber jacket.

Made from 100 per cent recycled fabric and dubbed the “Tassie tux”, the P.E. Nation-designed items were designed to worn over Virgin’s signature mid-knee length red dresses or teamed with black trousers and shirts, coming into effect from Wednesday.

Virgin Australia staff, with Claire Tregoning and Pip Edwards (centre), with Virgin staff, showing how the revamped uniform will be worn on flights to Tassie. Picture: Virgin Australia/P.E. Nation

The collaboration came after Virgin Australia and Tourism Tasmania approached P.E. Nation to update its uniforms in line with the Tassie winter, with the puffer considered an “unofficial uniform of the island state”. No changes to uniforms on other routes are being considered at this stage.

Pip Edwards and Claire Tregoning, of P.E. Nation, have designed a new look for Virgin. Picture: Virgin Australia/P.E. Nation

Pip Edwards and Claire Tregoning on set in Hobart. Picture: Virgin Australia/P.E. Nation

P.E. Nation co-founder Ms Edwards said the revamped uniforms were “fashionable but also functional”.

“Function and comfort are key to our daily lives, and the black puffer jacket is a staple in everyone’s wardrobe,” Ms Edwards said.

Her P.E. Nation co-founder Claire Tregoning said the Virgin redesign centred around a “sporty puffer jacket – an essential part of the Tassie wardrobe” due to its chilly winter climate.

‘The puffer is part of our lifestyle now.’ Picture: Virgin Australia/P.E. Nation

“Gone are the days of the formal wool coats, it does feel like the active puffer jacket is part of our lifestyle now – everyone is comfort dressing,” Ms Tregoning said.

“It’s more relaxed, it’s not as formal. It was about creating a fashionable silhouette for an iconic piece of their wardrobe.”

The P.E. Nation x Virgin uniforms are “as sustainable as possible, using recycled polyester for the wadding of the inside of the jackets, and the material on the outside,” Ms Tregoning said.
“At the moment, we’re sitting at about 80 per cent sustainable materials in our collections, and it is super important for us.”

P.E. Nation is expanding overseas, with its first international base in California. Picture: Virgin Australia/P.E. Nation

The Tassie tux, as worn by Virgin Australia staff flying to Hobart. Picture: Virgin Australia/P.E. Nation

Virgin Australia chief executive Libbi Minogue said the new Tassie-inspired uniforms reflected the “active-meets-urban lifestyle”.

“The fashionable yet functional designs are the perfect addition to elevate the current uniforms,” Ms Minogue said in a statement.

Meantime, P.E. Nation is expanding internationally, with the brand stocked in high-profile overseas retailers – among them, Net-a-Porter, Browns and Selfridges.

Ms Tregoning and Ms Edwards are preparing to launch their first international office, to be located in California as part of its “global push”.

At home, P.E. Nation recently opened its first stand-alone bricks and mortar store, located within The Galeries on Sydney’s George St.

Originally published as Virgin Australia’s new P.E. Nation uniform design revealed for Tassie flights