UAE's Etihad Airways kicked off its 15-year anniversary celebrations at the magnificent Louvre Abu Dhabi with the unveiling of a special collaboration collection of scarves and neckties by legendary fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg.

The design of the chic new accessories was inspired by the Yas Marina Circuit racetrack and will be seen on the airline’s cabin crew for the month of November- in celebration of the 10-year partnership between Etihad Airways and Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Diane Von Furstenberg, the designer, said: “Formula One is such an elegant event and I was thrilled to collaborate with Etihad Airways on this exciting project. The geometric pattern was inspired by the Grand Prix Racetrack and there are so many layers of meaning to the colours. Purple is the colour of royalty and the orange is inspired by the beautiful hues of the desert sand at sunset. I hope the cabin crew feels very proud to wear the scarves and ties. They reflect everything Etihad is about – elegance and style.”

Co-hosting the special event which was attended by UAE’s top VIPs and global fashion authorities were International IMG supermodel Joan Smalls and Hollywood megastar Liv Tyler. The magical affair was the first fashion event to take place under the dome of the remarkable Louvre Abu Dhabi.

Combining modern opulence with sophisticated elegance, the entrance was decorated with traditional lanterns and complimented with an oud player that led to an enchanting contemporary Arabesque-inspired setting. Royal Moroccan carpets and a spectacular hallway adorned with purple roses, tiny gold planes and rustic gold tables set the perfect mood for the evening. The geometric patterns of the scarf in orange, purple, yellow and grey were projected onto the white walls of the museum, surrounding the event.

Tony Douglas, Etihad Airways chief executive officer, said: “We are tremendously proud of Etihad’s achievements in just fifteen years. In this short time, we have emerged as one of the world’s most respected and recognised airline brands, known for leading the way through innovation, and upholding the best aspects of Arabian hospitality, delivered to millions of customers with a style and flair synonymous with the national airline of the UAE. We can look to the future with renewed rigour and vitality, as the airline of choices, showcasing Abu Dhabi everywhere we fly."

Smalls was selected to unveil the scarves via a model diary video and photo shoot, shot on location at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi along with hosting the event at the Louvre Abu Dhabi. Smalls is part of Etihad Airways’ Model Diaries series, which has featured supermodels such as Chanel Iman, Nick Bateman, Shanina Shaik and more.

Tyler has had a strong family tie to Formula One as her father Steven Tyler’s band, Aerosmith, performed the closing concert at the very first Formula One event that took place in the Yas Marina Circuit 10 years ago.

Etihad Airways commenced flying on November 5, 2003, with a single Airbus A330-200 aircraft, which performed a symbolic flight to the emirate of Abu Dhabi’s historic city of Al Ain. Regular commercial flights were launched on November 12 of the same year from Abu Dhabi to the Lebanese capital, Beirut.

The UAE national airline now operates a next-generation fleet of over 110 modern Boeing and Airbus aircraft, flying to 84 passenger and cargo destinations. Over the span of 15 years, Etihad Airways has operated over 840,000 passenger flights and has carried 139 million guests globally, served by a dedicated workforce of over 22,000 talented individuals hailing from over 150 countries. - TradeArabia News Service