You can’t take the girl out of the world’s most awarded airline. VAULT takes an exclusive, behind-the-scenes tour of what it takes to be a Singapore Girl
Writer: Niña Terol-Zialcita | Photographer: Pat Mateo
Being a Singapore Girl is a dream come true for many women. The name given to the flight attendants of Singapore Airlines was coined by French designer Pierre Balmain in 1972, when he was commissioned to update the airline’s Malay Sarong Kebaya uniform. Since then, the name has come to stand for Asian charm and hospitality and, in 1993, the Singapore Girl became the first “commercial” representation to be unveiled at Madame Tussauds wax museum in London.
The blue uniform is now recognized the world over, and everything about the Singapore Girl–from the way her hair is arranged in a classic French twist to the way her Sarong Kebaya hugs her well-kept figure–evokes sophistication.
Patricia Mah, who has been flying with Singapore Airlines for eight years now, has become a recognizable face in the airline’s ad campaigns. “It’s a glamorous lifestyle,” she admits. “You get to see different countries, experience different cultures, try different kinds of food, do a lot of shopping.”
Now in her early 30s, Mah looks every bit as fresh and as toned as her younger counterparts. She credits her training with Singapore Airlines for helping her acquire the discipline needed to maintain her health and lifestyle. “The training was very challenging–it was a lot more extensive and a lot more detailed than in other airlines,” she recounts. “You have to learn to pace yourself and adapt to all kinds of situations. Each flight will be a different experience.”
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This is an excerpt only. The full article is featured in the Travel Issue of Vault Magazine, (June-July 2012). Vault Magazine is available in the Philippines at all Fully Booked, Powerbooks, and National Bookstore branches. For more details, visit Vault‘s Facebook page HERE.
