LeShuttle, the vehicle shuttle service linking Folkestone and Calais via the Channel Tunnel, has announced a partnership with Pierre Cardin to redesign uniforms for over 1,200 passenger and freight team members. The new designs will debut at both terminals in 2027, coinciding with a five-year architectural regeneration of LeShuttle’s Passenger Terminal Buildings led by Hollaway Studio.
The initiative aligns with LeShuttle’s broader regeneration programme that includes a full redesign of its Folkestone and Calais terminal buildings. Together, these projects represent the brand’s push toward a more seamless, sustainable, and design-conscious travel experience for the millions of passengers who cross the Channel each year.
LeShuttle runs up to four departures per hour at peak times and operates 24/7, 365 days a year, making it one of Europe’s busiest cross-border vehicle transit routes.
The new uniforms are expected to soft-launch in 2027.
What the new LeShuttle uniforms will look like
Full design details have not yet been released, but both partners have described the direction as elegant, functional, and forward-focused. The brief calls for clothing that empowers frontline staff while aligning with LeShuttle’s evolving brand identity. Staff input is being incorporated into the design process to ensure practicality alongside style.
“LeShuttle’s uniform redesign is not only a visible refresh, but a statement of our commitment to delivering the very best experiences in modern travel. The rollout of the new uniform will see more than 1,200 team members sporting the new design in collaboration with Pierre Cardin designers. We are proud to reflect our evolving brand through practical yet elegant designs for our frontline teams. The designs are being developed through a collaborative process that includes input from LeShuttle staff, ensuring the final uniform reflects both brand vision and real-world practicality.” — Deborah Merrens, Chief Commercial Officer, LeShuttle
Why Pierre Cardin?
Founded in Paris in 1950, Pierre Cardin is one of fashion’s most enduring names, synonymous with futuristic silhouettes, geometric shapes, and a pioneering approach to ready-to-wear and unisex dressing. The label has dressed everyone from Jackie Kennedy and Beyoncé to Lady Gaga and Naomi Campbell across its seven-decade history.
Today, the house is led by CEO Rodrigo Basilicati-Cardin, Pierre’s nephew, who returned the brand to the official Paris Fashion Week calendar in March 2024 and has expanded its focus into sustainability and space-age innovation, including a collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA).
“Our goal with LeShuttle’s new uniform is to balance style with functionality, clothing that both empowers staff and reflects the values of the brand. Corporate wear is a significant area of expertise for the Pierre Cardin team and we take great pride in designing uniforms that set a standard for the world’s most visible companies and are proud to work with LeShuttle on this project.” – Rodrigo Basilicati-Cardin, CEO of Pierre Cardin
This partnership between LeShuttle and Pierre Cardin follows a long-standing pattern of collaborations between fashion houses and transport operators, often rooted in French heritage. Notable examples include Balenciaga’s work with Air France in 1969, SNCF in 1990, and more recently Jacquemus with Air France in 2025. Beyond France, similar collaborations have emerged globally, such as Dior Beauty’s partnership with Emirates in 2023.
About LeShuttle
LeShuttle is the fastest, most efficient way to cross the Channel by vehicle, linking Folkestone in the UK to Calais in France via the Channel Tunnel. The 35-minute journey is the shortest and quickest route between the UK and mainland Europe for vehicles.
LeShuttle runs up to four departures per hour at peak times and operates 24/7, 365 days a year. Passengers remain with their vehicle throughout the crossing, making the experience quick, convenient, and comfortable – with no baggage restrictions or airport-style queues.
For more information, visit www.leshuttle.com
Frequently Asked Questions
When will LeShuttle’s new uniforms launch?
The new Pierre Cardin-designed uniforms are expected to soft-launch in 2027 across both Folkestone and Calais terminals.
Who is the CEO of Pierre Cardin?
Rodrigo Basilicati-Cardin, Pierre Cardin’s nephew, has served as CEO since 2020.
How many staff will wear the new LeShuttle uniforms?
More than 1,200 LeShuttle team members across passenger and freight operations will wear the new designs.
Is LeShuttle undergoing a rebrand?
LeShuttle is undertaking a major regeneration programme including a terminal redesign by Hollaway Studio and a new Pierre Cardin uniform range, both set to complete around 2027.
