From space suits to Olympic uniforms, fashion has gone beyond red carpets

Fashion has long been a mode of self-expression and in recent years, designers have begun to push the boundaries of what clothing can represent. When we think of fashion designers, most of us imagine the ramp, with models and actors in designer attire. However, that has changed. What was once reserved for the runway is now expanding into unexpected areas, blending style with functionality.

Whether it’s chic cabin crew uniforms, or the latest space suits, the fusion of high fashion and technology is a revolution in the making.

When Manish Malhotra and Tarun Tahiliani went beyond the ramp walk

Over the past few years, designers like Manish Malhotra made headlines for making stylish yet comfortable uniforms for Air India’s cabin crew. Be it the sleek, modern look or the comfort and mobility, these outfits were a total hit.

Indian designer Tarun Tahiliani, on the other hand, created the garments that the Indian team wore to the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics. The outfits included basic kurta sets and sarees adorned with digital prints and tricolour patterns.

Fashion’s Olympic connection

The 2024 Olympic Games also saw luxury fashion conglomerate LVMH become a sponsor. That resulted in them utilising different companies under their wing to create different elements for the games. So, whether it was dressing the French team in Berluti for the opening ceremony, or the medals being presented on Louis Vuitton trays, the sporting event got quite a fashionable makeover.

Fashion designers reach space

The latest to impress us with their mind-boggling creations were designers Fernando Garcia and Laura Kim. The creative duo behind the luxury fashion label Monse, designed sleek and functional space suits for Blue Origin’s landmark all-women crew mission. On April 14, 2025, the mission made history as the first all-female crew to venture into space since Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova’s solo flight in 1963.

The Blue Origin crew included American singer and songwriter Katy Perry, journalist Gayle King, aerospace engineer Aisha Bowe, civil rights activist Amanda Nguyen, and filmmaker Kerianne Flynn.

The space suits made by Laura and Fernando boasts a bodycon silhouette that contours to your curves, a chic mandarin collar, a striking ombre effect, and zippers along each calf.

Prada and NASA: A match made in heaven

While everyone is loving what Laura and Fernando have created, this isn’t the first time that luxury fashion has met aeronautics. Back in October 2023, fashion brand Prada partnered with Axiom Space, a Texas-based aerospace company, to design the next-generation spacesuit for NASA’s Artemis III mission. The collab was historic and Prada engineers worked with the Axiom Space team to create a suit capable of protecting astronauts from the harsh environment of space.

These partnerships of fashion houses with sports or space companies show how technical textiles with sleek design can result in standout pieces of clothing which are not only functional and stylish, but also push the boundaries of how we view performance wear.