Space Needle by Luly Yang

The Seattle Space Needle partnered with seasoned uniform designer Luly Yang for a new team uniform refresh. Working to innovate the uniform industry towards elevating style, performance and pride, Yang brought her experience in design and architecture, and her understanding of the human form, creating a one-of-a-kind uniform collection for the Space Needle.

Garments were created for team members of various work groups: from outdoor and active valet attendants to operators of the 43 second elevator ride up to the observation deck. Included in the collection are polo shirts, mid-layer fleece jackets, rain jackets, hats, and vests.

Recognizing that the Space Needle prominently decorates the skyline for the Seattle community and its visitors, Yang turned directly to the architecture for design inspiration and researching the history of the building’s construction. Yang referenced the iconic shape of the building’s retro silhouette. The garment’s seams, color blocks, textures, and reflective trims were designed to mirror architectural lines while also flattering the human form. The Space Needle’s brand was referenced for the colors and logos, which were custom created for the collection. These details are designed into the important functional requirements for different frontline team members.

The building itself was constructed for the World’s Fair in 1962 and is a historic icon to Seattleites. Respecting the architecture and history of the landmark was integral to the uniform design’s success. The original hue of the Space Needle, Galaxy Gold, can be found lining the mid-layer jacket pockets and along the collar of the polo shirts. The linear pattern resting on the shoulders of the polo and mid-layer was taken from the blueprint of architectural firm Olson Kundig Architects, designer of the 2017 Space Needle renovation.

Following production and delivery of the Space Needle uniform program, Yang personally met with employees to collect feedback regarding their uniform wear and care. Employees praised the comfort and ease of movement, warmth and ability to layer, and the number of useful pockets.