More than a Uniform: Dragonfly Skywear founder Roxanne Scott-Will

My name is Roxanne Scott-Williams, and I’m currently a Senior First Officer for Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, flying the Airbus A320. I’ve been with Wizz Air for nearly three years. Unfortunately, the company is closing our base, so I’m now facing a possible relocation or a new job search – but that’s a story for another day.

Our First Shirt Style Sold

Alongside my aviation career, I’m the founder of Dragonfly Skywear, a small business dedicated to creating consistent, high-quality pilot uniforms for women in South Africa. Since 2016, my focus has been ensuring that female pilots have access to uniforms designed specifically for our bodies and needs, something that’s often overlooked in our industry. I chose the name Dragonfly as they symbolise the rarity, agility and resilience of the women in our industry.

What inspired you to create Dragonfly Skywear?

Before joining Wizz Air, I flew commercially for Airlink, and before that worked as a contract pilot on the Beech 1900, covering routes across West Africa and the Middle East. Early in my contract days, I realised just how difficult it was to find women’s fit pilot uniforms. My flight school didn’t stock women’s sizes at all. Instead, we had to wear ill-fitting men’s shirts, broad shoulders, boxy cuts, no taper at the waist, and always too tight on the hips. It just wasn’t fair.

Frustrated one day on contract, I called my mom back home in South Africa, desperate to find a solution. Together, we searched for a pattern maker or factory willing to help. When I returned home for a break, after a lot of searching, we finally found someone. From there, Dragonfly was born. I nearly bankrupted myself, the contract salary for First Officers was not much back then, but after countless nights, five or six design drafts, and more than a few tears, we had a prototype. We even found a factory willing to make a small run of 30 shirts. That was the start of it all.

Why do uniforms matter?

With over a decade as a professional pilot, and a passion for detail, I believe uniforms matter deeply. They signal authority and competence to passengers, especially in emergencies. But uniforms are more than just a symbol, they can help or hinder your job. Poorly designed shirts can restrict movement, ride up, become untucked, or even pop buttons open at inopportune moments. The right uniform should allow you to move freely and comfortably, help you do your job safely, and instil confidence in yourself and those around you. Good design means thoughtful details: functional pockets, seams that move with you, and a fit that flatters. A good uniform allows you to focus on flying, not fidgeting

It’s 2025, and yet, all too often women are still treated like “just small men.” Women’s bodies are different, and we deserve both comfort and dignity. Since launching Dragonfly, I’ve seen progress, but I still despair when I see what some South African (and international) carriers provide for their female crew - ill-fitting office blouses or modified nursing scrubs that don’t match the look of the male pilot uniforms or the aesthetic of the airline. It’s disheartening and, frankly, unnecessary. With some effort and TLC, it’s a simple problem to fix.

What has the response been like from other female pilots? 

Although Dragonfly Skywear is a small company, I’ve been lucky to build a community of loyal customers, they are a bunch of inspiring wonderful women who support and return time after time. Their encouragement and feedback have been invaluable, and it’s incredible to know I’m making even a small difference in their everyday work lives.

What changes would you like to see across the aviation industry in terms of uniform standards and inclusivity?

I’d love to see the cost of women’s uniforms no higher than men’s. Being a woman shouldn’t be an extra barrier to entry! More options should be readily available, and I’m especially passionate about developing a maternity shirt. Inclusivity means making sure all pilots, regardless of gender or body type, or size can find what they need to look and feel professional.

Why do you believe it’s important to keep pushing for better representation and proper fit in aviation uniforms?

Representation matters. When women have professional, well-fitting uniforms, we no longer stand out for the wrong reasons, instead, it helps normalise our presence and expertise in the cockpit. Everyone deserves to feel confident and respected at work.

If you’re interested in learning more or purchasing from Dragonfly Skywear, visit dragonflyskywear.com