Singapore Girl is a consistent visual advertising slogan applied to depictions of flight attendants of Singapore Airlines (SIA) dressed in the distinctive "Sarong Kebaya", SIA uniform since 1972 and remains a prominent element of SIA's marketing. Singapore Airlines' hospitality and cabin service has been recognised with awards from magazines, travel and tourism industries, including the 'World's Best Cabin Crew Service' by the Business Traveller Asia-Pacific Awards for 23 consecutive years. The long running campaign since its inception, emphasises these service aspects, featuring bona fide SIA flight attendants.
The iconic images and branding of the Singapore Girl was first established in 1972 when Singapore Airlines took over as successor of its predecessor Malaysia-Singapore Airlines (MSA), the joint Malaysia and Singapore airline set up to develop and expand an intercontinental network. An earlier traditional version of the "Sarong Kebaya" uniform was first introduced by MSA and worn by the flight attendants since 1968. Subsequently, political acrimony between Singapore and Malaysia led to the split of Malaysia-Singapore Airlines. MSA ceased operations on 1 October 1972 and Singapore Airlines took over as its successor in Singapore. Initially when Singapore Airlines was created, its advertising and branding was handled by the start-up Batey Inc, of Ian Batey.
Singapore Girl was coined in 1972 when Pierre Balmain, a French haute couture designer, was hired to construct and update the "Sarong Kebaya" as part of the cabin crew's uniform. Since then, the uniform has gained worldwide recognition as part of Singapore Airline's recognizable signature branding. Since 1972, the image of the Singapore Girl has appeared in advertisements in almost all media forms and promotions across the world. The theme music for the television advertising campaign was composed by Kevin Peek. As part of efforts to build the image of the "Singapore Girl", the airline runs a rigorous training program for cabin and flight crew. The airline's repute, and the resulting prestige of the job has allowed it to be highly selective during its recruitment process as it receives numerous applications locally and from around the region.
Singapore Airlines used to recruit only Singaporeans and Malaysians as cabin crew, but since 1995, in line with its global expansion, recruitment extended to other countries such as China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea and Taiwan to minimise language barriers between cabin crew and travellers. About 10% of applicants of each recruitment drive are successful and sent for training on their first steps to becoming a "Singapore Girl". Some of the strict rules and regulations for the crew from head to toe include: The airline requires flight attendants to colour their hair black or dark brown. Flight attendants cannot use highlights. Flight attendants with long hair are to coil it into buns or French twists. Male flight attendants are to sport short hair above their collar lines and sideburns no longer than the ear lobes. Fringes cannot touch their eyebrows.
Eyebrows must be shaped, and cannot be fake, be it drawn-on or tattooed. Eye shadow must be of the colour prescribed by the company – either blue or brown, depending on skin tone. No fanciful, dangling earrings allowed; only studs or pearls. Lipstick colour must be among the few shades of bright red prescribed by the company. Pink or plum shades are forbidden. No chains and necklaces allowed. Only simple bracelets and rings can be worn. Only small and simple watches can be worn. A spare kebaya must be brought for every flight, including short, one-hour flights. Nail polish must be of the bright red colour prescribed by the company. Nails should not be chipped. Toenails must be of the bright red colour prescribed by the company. If toenails are unpainted, stockings must be worn as a substitute. Safety shoes or covered sandals must be worn during take-off and landing. At other times, flight attendants should wear their batik slippers.
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© 2017 Singapore Airlines.
