This article from NYTimes.com has been sent to you by psa188@xxxxxxxxx /-------------------- advertisement -----------------------\ Explore more of Starbucks at Starbucks.com. http://www.starbucks.com/default.asp?ci=1015 \----------------------------------------------------------/ Low-Cost Airline Giving Staff a Designer Look August 13, 2003 By TRACIE ROZHON Kate and Andy Spade, whose company is known for tiny striped pocketbooks, will now be dressing the flight attendants for Song, the new low-fare carrier of Delta Air Lines. Ms. Spade will design the outfits for women; Mr. Spade, designing for the Jack Spade brand, will create the men's. While truly tiny pocketbooks will not be available to complete the ensemble, "there will be uniforms and bags and sunglasses and luggage, including shoes, for both men and women," said Marybeth Schmitt, a spokeswoman for Kate Spade, the company that the couple founded a decade ago. The Spades, best known as accessory designers, were approached in early spring by Song, which started service in April and flies between the Northeast and Florida vacation spots as well as Atlanta, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and San Juan, P.R. Starting in February, flight attendants, as well as the airport customer service staff - 900 employees in all - will each receive one basic outfit free and then be able to buy more pieces at cost. They will choose from among 15 pieces, more or less, in a color scheme of charcoal gray, white and green - the color of an exotic parrot - with plenty of stripes thrown in. There will be green and white striped short-sleeve oxford shirts and coat linings in a gray and green stripe the Spades designed for the airline. Other choices will include sleeveless tops and straight skirts for the women, along with trousers, trench coats and canvas luggage. For the Spades, creating the uniforms presented "formidable challenges," Ms. Schmitt said. "They had to be made of fire-retardant fabric. It's not like a fashion designer, who could pick cashmere." In the end, Ms. Spade settled on a lightweight stretch wool for the women's dresses and suits, chosen for its ability to bounce back, particularly after those long-haul flights. There were also restrictions on shoe design: They had to be closed-toe, closed-back - no sexy strap sandals, no teetering around the cabins. "They have these adorable Mary Janes," said Stacy Geagan, a spokeswoman for Song. "We'll have some tassels and bows, and pumps that are black with green trim. In the second quarter, we'll have green with black trim." http://www.nytimes.com/2003/08/13/business/13FLY.html?ex=1061782760&ei=1&en=0db777096ac64b46 --------------------------------- Get Home Delivery of The New York Times Newspaper. Imagine reading The New York Times any time & anywhere you like! Leisurely catch up on events & expand your horizons. Enjoy now for 50% off Home Delivery! Click here: http://www.nytimes.com/ads/nytcirc/index.html HOW TO ADVERTISE --------------------------------- For information on advertising in e-mail newsletters or other creative advertising opportunities with The New York Times on the Web, please contact onlinesales@xxxxxxxxxxx or visit our online media kit at http://www.nytimes.com/adinfo For general information about NYTimes.com, write to help@xxxxxxxxxxxx Copyright 2003 The New York Times Company