New UN Tour Guide Uniforms Designed by Students at the Swedish School of Textiles

Since November 1952, professional and stylish tour guides have led visitors through the magnificent United Nations headquarters, designed by an international team of architects—reflecting the UN’s mission of fostering global peace and understanding. Over the past 73 years, these guides, known as “United Nations Ambassadors to the Public,” have worn uniforms created by American, French (designed by Thibaut Bouet of Christian Dior), and Italian (by Benetton) talents. Last night, in celebration of Earth Day, the guides debuted a new uniform designed by 20 students from the Swedish School of Textiles—marking the first time students have been chosen for this role.

The project began when Sofia Hedström de Leo, former sustainability head at the Swedish consulate and a UN Fashion and Lifestyle Network advisor, was asked to find a partner aligned with the UN’s sustainability goals. “They wanted a younger designer involved,” she said. “I chose the Swedish School of Textiles for their sustainability expertise. It was also a way to highlight Sweden’s commitment to sustainable fashion.”

Working closely with professors Susanne Nejderås (project manager), Karin Landahl, and artistic director Stephanie Malmgren de Oliveira, the students—balancing the project alongside their studies—visited Backåkra, Sweden, the summer home of former UN Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjöld. The trip inspired the scarf patterns and the choice of gray for the suits.

“We wanted a lighter tone—their previous uniforms were dark for so long, and we wanted to bring hope. The blues were drawn from the sky,” explained de Oliveira. The asymmetric collars and V-necklines mirror architectural details found at the UN headquarters.

The uniforms are made from deadstock fabric (Italian wool for the suits) and produced in the EU with support from Swedish businesses. The stand-collar T-shirts, featuring side buttons, were made in Borås, where the university is located.

The original 1950s UN tour guide uniforms, inspired by flight attendant attire, reflected the post-war era. Later, designer Frank Smith (known for Pan Am stewardess uniforms) introduced vests in 1969, followed by Hollywood legend Edith Head’s Chanel-inspired suits in 1977. Male guides were first outfitted by Brooks Brothers.

The new collection includes a suit jacket, pants, wrap skirt, button-down shirt, T-shirt, scarves, and an adjustable cotton dress with a triple waist. The sizing follows updated EU regulations, ensuring flexibility.

Among those present at the unveiling was Ellen Hodakova Larsson, 2024 LVMH Prize winner and SST alumna. The project received major support from longtime SST board member Paul Frankenius.The namesake foundation, with additional support from the Swedish government, is backing this initiative. “The Swedish School of Textile delivers world-class research and education,” Frankenius said. “What we need to improve is showcasing our excellence on a global scale. The new UN tour guide collection is a perfect example—it provides a platform for young talents to collaborate on intentional, innovative work that will have lasting impact.”