Trend Alert: Would you like fries with that fashion?

As part of a commitment to revamp their brand, McDonald’s is tapping some of the industry’s superstars to redesign the uniforms for their 600,000 employees in the U.S. Reports have Tommy Hilfiger and Sean “P. Diddy” Combs (Sean John) as frontrunners in chain’s campaign to create work attire that is also wearable away from the deep fryers. Also on McDonald’s wish list: Jay Z’s Rocawear, retailers Abercrombie & Fitch and American Eagle, Ralph Lauren, and Georgio Armani. Russell Simmons has already expressed his disinterest, he’s a vegetarian. It’s too bad, the Big Mac could have gone from fattening to McPhat. Mickey D’s hip hop make-over could cost as much as $80 million. But I’m lovin’ it. The genius marketer who recognized the trend in retro tees and concocted a scheme to turn employees into walking billboards definitely deserves fries with that. Find your own fast food fashion at t-shirts.com or make a statement with cafepress.com.
© Kate Spade
The golden arches are not alone in their hopes that a fashion statement will make a financial impact. The airways have always had an eye on design when it comes to their most visible employees, the flight attendants. In the 1960’s psychedelic Emilio Pucci kept it funky for airline Braniff and Dior clothed Air France. Most recently, Delta Song tapped Kate Spade and husband Andy to design midnight-blue and parrot-green uniforms, handbags and shoes. British Airways brought in Julien McDonald, who has dressed Elizabeth Hurley and Nicole Kidman, to update everyone from flight attendants to check-in staff. Maybe Gwyneth Paltrow’s high flying fashion in View From the Top was the inspiration for the airlines’ return to the fashion runway?
Find these designers at Bluefly.com.

Gwyneth Paltrow in Miramax’s View From The Top – ©2003