Qantas and Jessica Hart: Aussie model becomes airline trend consultant

IN an attempt to ‘style up’ its image, Australian airline Qantas has added model Jessica Hart onto their board of ambassadors as a ‘trend consultant’.

QANTAS continues to ‘style up’ its image. Already, the flying kangaroo has Martin Grant-designed uniforms, passengers purring in Peter Morrissey pyjamas and flyers using Kate Spade amenities kits and Aurora spa products.

Qantas hopes to make sure flyers, who frequent their lounges around Australia, look as respectable, presentable and appropriately dressed as possible.

And now? Qantas has added a ‘trend consultant’ onto their board of ambassadors.

A trend consultant? Yes, the down-to-earth Aussie model Jessica Hart, a former Victoria’s Secret model, Dolly cover girl winner and Vogue cover girl will “connect what’s trending in fashion to what Qantas customers can experience in-flight and on the ground,” according to Qantas.

“Having travelled as much as I have to so many cities, I can honestly say it has inspired my sense of style,” Ms Hart said.

“I love expressing myself through fashion and I believe style evolves as a result of different experiences and travel is a gateway to those experiences.

“I am really excited about partnering with Qantas. Contributing to travel style is something I have always dreamt of so I am excited it’s becoming a reality.

“I already have a number of ideas I can’t wait to share with the Qantas team.”

Jessica Hart says travel has helped shape her style

The model’s arrangement plans to draw on her knowledge of global fashion and lifestyle trends to work on projects benefiting Qantas Frequent Flyers.

The first of these projects will see Qantas and Hart work with leading Australian scarf designers, Bird and Knoll, to nominate a destination that “Feels Like Home” off the back of the recent Qantas advertising campaign.

The destination will be photographed and produced into a limited edition exclusive Bird and Knoll scarf.

Qantas’s Olivia Wirth said the airline is excited to be working with Bird and Knoll and Jessica Hart to ensure Qantas continues to innovate when it comes to travel and style.

“Qantas has a long history of being fashion forward, from our early uniform designs to our current Martin Grant designed outfits, our Kate Spade amenity kits and our award-winning Marc Newson designed Lounges and aircraft interiors,” she said.

“Jessica will bring a fresh eye to some terrific initiatives we are looking at and bring extra style to the Qantas travel experience, starting with the exclusive Bird and Knoll scarfs.”

“While the scarf is the ideal fashion travel accessory, it will also promote the unique beauty of Australia, and as the country’s national carrier, we take great pride in flying the flag for homegrown fashion designers, destinations and talent.”

And now she takes on a different runway.

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 13: Model Jessica Hart walks the runway at the 2013 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show at Lexington Avenue Armory on November 13, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Victoria's Secret)

Jessica, known for her gap-tooth smile and quintessential, beach-girl looks has worked with names like Guess, Triumph, Banana Republic, Portmans, Luma and Esprit and also appeared in MTV’s The City during its first season.

Back then, Jess was dating the then Tamarama band member Nicolas Potts, her long-term boyfriend until 2010.

Since 2011, Jessica has dated Stavros Niarchos III, a Greek billionaire and the pair were spotted at the Tijuana Picnic party in New York just two days ago.

Mr Niarchos, no doubt, has no problems hitching a ride on the odd private jet now and then.

As a runway model Jessica has walked for Sass & Bide, Julien MacDonald, Matthew Williamson, Antonio Berardi, Christopher Kane and Giles Deacon but this trend ambassador gig? Another notch in her top model resume.