Advertisement
Lauren Sánchez, Katy Perry, and Gayle King are gearing up to make history with Blue Origin’s first all-female space mission, set to launch on Monday, April 14, at 9:30 a.m. ET. They’ll be joined by NASA rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, astronaut and research scientist Amanda Nguyen, and filmmaker Kerianne Flynn. This milestone mission is not only significant because of its all-female crew but also due to the specially designed astronaut suits the team will wear.
The suits, custom-designed by the fashion brand Monse, were created specifically for the women astronauts. Monse, led by co-founders Fernando Garcia and Laura Kim, partnered with Lauren Sánchez in late 2024 to kick off the design process. Traditionally, astronaut suits have been designed for men, but Sánchez emphasized that “that is no longer the case.” The suits were tailored using 3-D body scans to ensure a perfect fit for each woman.
Made from flame-resistant stretch neoprene, the suits feature calf zippers that create a stylish flared leg. Sánchez called the final design “elegant” with a touch of flair, adding, “They also bring a little spice to space.” Designer Fernando Garcia explained that the Monse team aimed to keep the suits minimalist yet edgy, drawing inspiration from motocross outfits and ski suits.
During the design process, Garcia jokingly told Sánchez that he had considered adding a corset to her suit, knowing she’d be up for it. Sánchez laughed and agreed she likely would have embraced the idea. Despite the stylish focus, functionality was a priority too. Sánchez shared that she tested early suit prototypes by stretching and doing back bends to ensure the suits wouldn’t tear during the flight.
This mission and the unique suits have captured public attention, as they represent a blend of cutting-edge space exploration with fashion innovation, marking a historic moment for women in space.