Designers have a knack for getting their names in some unexpected places, and Brandon Blackwood is no exception.

The New York-based creative has teamed up with American Airlines to create amenity kits for select passengers through September. For an 11-person operation, dealing with a nearly century-old international carrier has taught Blackwood how to navigate a corporate environment and the multilayered steps that are required for approval.

“With me, it’s more about aesthetics first and maybe practicality second. We have some guys who are out there [that we use] that can only handle a credit card. You can’t really do that in this scenario,” said Blackwood, who learned to deal with more complex steps.

Partnering with an airline was a first for Blackwood, who took into account the carrier’s signature colors and logo, so that the packs would flow with the design scheme in the airplanes. “If you look at our top [selling] places that we are hitting, it’s mostly New York, L.A. and Texas. This opportunity is going to allow us to reach a whole new group of customers,” he said. “It will be a great mix of people who are very familiar with the brand and who are going to be very excited. But there will also be people who haven’t heard of my brand, and who will be experiencing it on these cool routes and at beautiful destinations.”

The complimentary items will be offered on 125 daily flights later this month. Just as legroom and in-flight dining varies, based on the value of passengers’ tickets, so too do the designer-created kits. Blackwood flagged the project in an Instagram post that touted how they are “perfect for inflight pampering or a post-landing refresh.” For the project, the designer riffed on his popular “Portmore” backpack in a more miniaturized black version for Flagship First and Flagship Suite Preferred fliers. And Flagship Business and Flagship Suite passengers will find a black pouch with red accents. Premium Economy passengers will receive a blue-and-white pouch in his signature checkered pattern, and Flagship Business passengers will find a black pouch with red accents and a checkered interior print.

Before starting the design, Blackwood and a few members of his team flew to American Airlines’ campus in Fort Worth, Texas. With multiple all-glass sculptural buildings, the 300-acre site was prime territory to connect with employees, according to the designer. “That building is insane. They have everything — they have bikes. We were riding our bikes all around. During that whole process, we were hanging out with employees and talking to people,” he said. “The best part was getting to know the people behind American Airlines.”  

They also had the chance to take a close look at displayed photos of famous passengers like Eartha Kitt and Marilyn Monroe. “Being immersed in the company culture and seeing its history really helped to direct our creative approach,” Blackwood said.

Although he has never designed uniforms for any companies, the designer said that is a major goal. Coco Chanel, Halston, Yves Saint Laurent, Zac Posen, Emilia Wickstead, Oleg Cassini, Pierre Cardin and Cristobal Balenciaga are some of the designers who have suited up in-flight crews for different carriers. Acknowledging how many really well-known designers have created uniforms for flight attendants with different airlines, he said that Emilio Pucci’s 1960s printed uniforms for the now defunct Braniff airlines were his favorite.

Blackwood recalled how his team wanted to perfect the kits and went through “rounds and rounds” of mock-ups, styles and prints before the end result was reached. “I’m really proud to be a Black New York-based designer, who is able to do this. Any time my company does a first, I am very proud. This is a huge one,” he said. “I cannot wait to see people tag it when they get into their seats.”