New uniforms for the Northwest flight attendants

by Grant Martin on

Earlier this week, Northwest hosted a fashion show in their Detroit World Gateway to show off the new uniforms they’re unrolling. I asked any Gadlingers passing through to snap a couple of photos and in one way or another (thanks Dan), some came through.

In the interest of self preservation as a member of the media and Northwest Airlines‘ frequent flyer program, I’ll refrain from commenting on the uniforms, but I’m interested to see what Gadlingers and AOL readers think of the change.

If you look at some of the other photos in the set, you’ll see a timeline of flight attendant uniforms through NWA’s history; it’s interesting to look at some of the older uniforms and see how they changed over time.

Northwest flight attendant fashion show, Wednesday at DTW

by Grant Martin on

If you happen to be passing through Detroit Metro Airport on Wednesday (DTW) just after lunch time, swing by the fountain in the center of Mcnamara Terminal. Northwest flight attendants, who have long been overdue for a uniform upgrade, will be showing off their new wares in a fashion show.

The event is scheduled to take place twice at 1 and 2 PM in front of the main fountain (pictured), right in the entrance way.

Speculation among those “in the know” suggests that the uniform upgrades won’t be anything as drastic as what the Ryanair flight attendants have been up to; apparently they’re designed by the Twin Hill group, a classically conservative corporate apparel company. But perhaps its a good way to keep the crew up to date with the modern fashion and accessories, as well as begin to reward a group of employees who have been sacrificing left and right for a company just out of bankruptcy. Personally, I’ve always liked the scarves that the flight attendants occasionally wear. Hopefully those won’t go away.
If any of you lucky Gadlingers are out there during the show, snap a picture for us and I’ll post them.

Thanks to ashweigert at Flickr for the photo.

Wrist-strap your cash when you travel

by Abha Malpani on


As pick-pockets get smarter and quicker, it’s hard to avoid getting robbed when you travel unless your money is stashed in your underwear. It’s especially difficult for women as we always seem to want a purse/bag when we head out and don’t want to wear jeans — mostly just to keep money.

Which is why I was thrilled to find this wristband-wallet combo where you can hide your bills in funky punky bracelet form.

Newly introduced by Amsterdam-based accessories store – RoB – that specializes in leather and rubber products, the wallet is available in all sizes and a variety of colors and stripes.

CAUTION: The store is otherwise totally skewed towards male erotic and S&M products (so don’t freak out when you explore the homepage), but it does have some neat and offbeat items like this one. And, you can order and buy on line, so you don’t have to visit the store!

Big in Japan: Camouflage yourself as a Coke machine

by Matthew Firestone on

Afraid of walking the mean city streets at night? Not sure what to do if you’re being followed?

Fear not as Aya Tsukioka, a 29-year-old experimental fashion designer from Tokyo, is about to start selling her new line of urban camouflage.

At a fashion show earlier this week, Ms. Tsukioka shocked the audience by removing a large sheet of red cloth from beneath her skirt. She then proceeded to show how a woman being pursued by assailants could easily disguise herself as a vending machine.

Japan never ceases to amaze, eh?

Although street crime is virtually non-existent here in Japan, personal safety is never taken for granted. The Japanese public is increasingly becoming more and more concerned about crime, even though statistics suggest that rates are actually on the decline.

Perhaps this is why Ms. Tsukioka’s clothing is expected to be such a huge hit.

At the fashion show, she also revealed plans for kimono that folds into a vending machine as well as a manhole shaped bag that can be laid down on the street to hide your valuables from would-be muggers.

While Americans are more partial to self-defense devices such as mace, pepper spray, tazers and even pistols, Japanese sensibility calls for a bit more tact.

Don’t believe me?

Consider the fact that one of the most popular items on the market here in Tokyo are knife-proof high school uniforms made of Kevlar!

According to Ms. Tsukioka, Americans want to protect themselves while Japanese favor camouflage and deception. “It is just easier for Japanese to hide,” Ms. Tsukioka said. “Making a scene would be too embarrassing.”

She then proceeded to explain how her vending machine disguise was inspired by the ninja, who used to cover themselves in black blankets at night. Since vending machines are so common on Japan’s streets, Ms. Tsukioka realized that she had stumbled across the perfect design motif.

To date, Ms. Tsukioka has sold about 20 vending machine costumes for about 100,000 yen or $800 each. If you think it’s a bit pricey, consider the fact that each disguise is printed and sewn by hand.

And of course, can you really put a price on your personal safety?

For the little ones, Ms. Tsukioka is also planning on rolling out a special children’s line of disguises, which will resemble Japan’s diminutive red mail boxes.

After all, it’s never too early to teach the kiddies to take care of themselves.

Ms. Tsukioka concluded her press conference by discussing Japan’s willingness to indulge the imagination. “These ideas might strike foreigners as far-fetched,” she added, “but in Japan, they can become reality.”

Perhaps there is some truth to that, though I’m sorry to say that these costumes wouldn’t quite cut it in New York City or Los Angeles, unless of course you were to weave them out of Kevlar.

Special thanks to my friend Michele for always keeping an eye out for the latest and craziest Japanese trends!

** Photos were taken by Torin Boyd/Polaris for The New York Times **

Hidden Pocket Pants Project (HPPP): Completed

by Justin Glow on

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: I dislike wearing a money belt. I understand and respect their importance in keeping your documents safely nested near your crotch, but they’re uncomfortable. Most trips I end up wearing it for a week or two before the nasty combination of laziness and a belt rash kicks into high gear and I end up scrapping the pouch in favor of nervously traveling around with one hand in my pocket at all times.

But, as a few of you might remember, I ran across a nifty little tutorial on sewing a hidden pocket into your pants. When I saw it, I knew had to try it out… so that’s exactly what I did this past week. With the help of my lovely girlfriend (who did 100% of the sewing), I now have two pairs of pants with a built-in secret pocket. It’s every little boy’s dream.

We used a stretchy, breathable material and sewed it on the inside of the pocket. Check out the gallery below. It’s definitely not the prettiest thing in the world, but who’s going to be looking down my pants anyway, right?

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