LOOK, UP IN THE SKY: For the designer Peyman Umay, a touristy trip to the Empire State Constructing along with his father led to a latest peak in his profession: designing the uniforms for staffers there. Those that trek to the highest of the Art Deco constructing will see his four-piece creations on its Observatory hosts. The redesign is an element of a $165 million overhaul of the Observatory Experience.

To mark the occasion, the Turkish-born designer, who can be an American citizen, attended a kickoff event Tuesday atop the 1,454-foot skyscraper. The celebration included hitting the switch atop the Empire State Constructing to “Empire steel Gray” and “City View Blue” (think royal blue). In total, he has suited up 140 employees including those that photograph tourists and gift shop staff.

Three years ago when his father was visiting Recent York City from his home in Turkey, they took a tour of the enduring constructing with a friend who worked there. The Recent York-based menswear designer felt the uniforms worn by staffers didn’t reflect the constructing’s “unalterable identity.” After voicing that opinion, he suggested alternatives, creating sketches and swatches for potential replacements. That plan was shelved throughout the pandemic. But when a latest vice chairman of operations was installed on the Empire State Constructing, Umay’s design concept was refreshed.

The designer reached out to the constructing’s president to relay what he had in mind: an of-the-moment interpretation of the “true soul of the constructing” versus rehashing the past. All the functional designs are handmade, the buttons are lasered and collars are detachable to simplify cleansing them. “Each detail reflects the constructing inside and outside [as in the uniforms’ red lining is reflective of the interior of the walls],” Umay said. Motifs of gold cogs and wheels within the jackets and vests are a wink on the Fifth Avenue lobby’s restored 23-carat gold ceiling,

Having run his signature business for 11 years, Umay also offers women’s designs from his penthouse showroom within the landmark Bryant Park Studios at 80 West fortieth Street. He’ll appear as a judge on an upcoming makeover show on TV that he was not at liberty to debate. Umay can be within the running to design uniforms for a world airline. For now, he’s reveling within the Empire State Constructing feat. “This was a dreamy journey. It just feels right. It was a most organic alignment between two brands. It was like this was destined to occur,” Umay said. “After 15 years, they modified the uniforms. I don’t imagine in coincidences. I moved to america 15 years ago.”