Sunday Nov 17, 2024
Sunday Nov 17, 2024
Wednesday, 24 December 2014 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Created by Italian Haute Couturier Ettore Bilotta at his atelier in Milan, the new uniform exudes a classic elegance seldom seen in the aisles of modern airliners, and cleverly merges dramatic elements of old world haute couture from 1960s Paris and Rome, with the more contemporary fashions evident on the runways of London, New York, Milan and Tokyo.
The beautiful collection possesses a style which has come to characterise the Etihad Airways brand and which will enhance the airline’s reputation as the standard-bearer of superlative customer service.
Multi-award winning, New York-based photographer Norman Jean Roy, whose prolific career includes work for leading publications such as Vogue and Vanity Fair, leading fashion brands and Hollywood studios, was commissioned by the airline to capture a breath-taking set of images of the new collection. The photo-shoot took place on the majestic sand dunes of Abu Dhabi’s Liwa desert and on location at the exclusive Qasr al Sarab desert resort.
The new uniforms will be introduced system-wide from 27 December and will be worn by Etihad Airways’ cabin crews and ground teams, and feature new designs for the airline’s Butlers in The Residence by Etihad, First Class In-flight Chefs, Business Class Food & Beverage Managers, Cabin Managers, Cabin Crew, Flying Nannies, and airport and lounge teams.
Made from 100% Italian wool, the uniforms feature an intricate jacquard design and were made in various locations across Italy, with additional manufacturing taking place in Shanghai, Tunis and Bucharest by a dedicated team which totalled approximately 400 staff. Uniquely, approximately 30 per cent of the outfits were handmade or hand-stitched.
Stylishly cut and fitted, each ensemble is easy to wear, flexible and practical, allowing cabin and ground personnel ease of movement as they carry out their duties.
The uniforms have been created incorporating almost all the brand colours of Etihad Airways’ brand palette.
Female cabin crew, ground and lounge teams will wear a skirt suit, accessorised with fitted gloves, belt, hat and scarf.
Hats worn by the crew are now more aerodynamic and ‘retro’, inspired by the iconic stars of the Hollywood Silver Screen and the sweeping formations of the Emirati desert sand dunes. The new style is classic and enduring, reminiscent of the much-admired designer collections of airline crews in the heyday of international air travel.
Male cabin crew will wear a three-piece suit, while male ground crew will wear a two-piece suit.
Etihad Airways has collaborated with leading make up experts MAC to provide their products for crew use at the airline’s ‘Style & Image Suites’ at its Training Academy and its recently opened Innovation Training Academy.
