Etihad Airways kicked off its 15th anniversary celebrations on the evening of October 30 with a star-studded party at the Louvre Abu Dhabi. Supermodel Joan Smalls and actress Liv Tyler were among the 400 guests who gathered to mark the occasion. The airline also unveiled a new limited-edition collection of scarves and ties, designed in collaboration with Diane von Furstenberg, which will be worn by Etihad cabin crew throughout the month of November. With a design inspired by the Yas Marina racetrack, the new fashion accessories are also a nod to Etihad’s 10-year partnership with Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, which is taking place from November 23 to 25 this year. “The F1 is such a prestigious event, and I was thrilled to collaborate with Etihad Airways on this exciting project,” said the New York-based von Furstenberg, who in addition to heading her eponymous brand is the president of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA). “The geometric pattern of the scarf 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 sand because what is more beautiful than a sunset in the desert? I hope the cabin crew feels very proud to wear the scarf. It reflects everything Etihad is about – elegance and style.” Etihad commenced flying on November 5, 2003, with a single Airbus A330 aircraft, which performed a symbolic flight from Abu Dhabi to Al Ain. Regular commercial flights were launched a week later to the Lebanese capital, Beirut. Supermodel Smalls was on hand to present the new creations, with a photo shoot set at the Yas Marina Circuit and a video that forms part of the Etihad Airways’ Model Diaries series. The series has previously featured Chanel Iman, Nick Bateman and Shanina Shaik. Tyler’s presence, meanwhile, was tinged with nostalgia, as her father Steven Tyler’s band, Aerosmith, performed the closing concert at the first Formula One event at the Yas Marina Circuit 10 years ago. “We are thrilled to be launching these limited-edition cabin crew scarves and ties in collaboration with world-renowned fashion designer, Diane von Furstenberg, here at Louvre Abu Dhabi,” said Tony Douglas, group chief executive, Etihad Aviation Group. “Not only are we launching it to commemorate 10 years of Formula One racing in the capital, but it also coincides with our 15-year anniversary and that’s what makes this collaboration so special to us.” <strong>_______________</strong> <strong>Read more:</strong> <strong><a href="https://www.thenational.ae/lifestyle/fashion-designer-prabal-gurung-dresses-the-etihad-grid-girls-1.678909">Fashion designer Prabal Gurung dresses the Etihad Grid Girls</a></strong> <strong><a href="https://www.thenational.ae/arts-culture/my-luxury-life-diane-von-furstenberg-1.28526">My luxury life: Diane von Furstenberg</a></strong> <strong><a href="https://www.thenational.ae/lifestyle/fashion/designer-julien-macdonald-on-partnering-with-etihad-for-new-short-film-1.627663">Designer Julien Macdonald on partnering with Etihad for new short film</a></strong> <strong>_______________</strong>
