Marisa Garcia If Choos are shoes you’d fly miles in, you’re going to love this one.
Etihad Airways has positioned itself as a luxury lifestyle brand–which just happens to fly planes. A partnership with Jimmy Choo to mark the shoe designer’s 20th anniversary celebration during New York Fashion Week is the airline’s latest saunter down that runway.
Earlier this year, the airline announced its partnership with WME|IMG to support 17 fashion weeks events around the world. Through this partnership, Etihad became the official airline of New York Fashion Week: The Shows, MADE Fashion Week, London Fashion Week, London Collections Men, Milan Fashion Week: Milano Moda Donna, Milano Moda Uomo, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia, and Lakme Fashion Week (Mumbai).
After this week’s New York Fashion Week, it’s easy to see just how much brand clout Etihad intends to earn from these partnerships.
Get Your Choos On
The airline’s co-branded event with Jimmy Choo included events at John F. Kennedy (JFK) International Airport and in New York City.
City-Set
(From left to right, flanked by Etihad Airways cabin crew), Amina Taher, Head of Corporate Communications – Etihad Airways and Sandra Choi, Creative Director – Jimmy Choo celebrate the opening of the Jimmy Choo VIP Lounge hosted by Etihad Airways and WME | IMG at Skylight at Moynihan Station.
Etihad Airways supported Jimmy Choo’s VIP event hosted by the international models featured in the 20th Anniversary campaign, including Amber Valletta, Milla Jovovich, Sasha Pivovarova, Lexi Boling, Taylor Hill, Jasmine Tookes and Xiao Wen Ju. During the event, the brand’s 20th Anniversary campaign video was launched featuring the models and a live musical performance by Mary J. Blige.
“Jimmy Choo has been revered by the global jetset for two decades, so it is fitting that Etihad Airways partners with the iconic brand, which shares similar ambitions – to provide the ultimate in elegance, sophistication and comfort,” said Patrick Pierce, Vice President of Sponsorships.
(From left to right, flanked by Etihad Airways cabin crew), Patrick Pierce, Vice President of Sponsorships – Etihad Airways; Supermodel Amber Valletta; and Amina Taher, Head of Corporate Communications – Etihad Airways celebrate the opening of the Jimmy Choo VIP Lounge hosted by Etihad and WME | IMG at Skylight at Moynihan Station.
“Our aspiration is to become the airline of choice for the global fashion community, and our collaboration with Jimmy Choo serves as a natural extension of our fashion week alignment, particularly during New York Fashion Week,” Pierce added.
Etihad also hosted a VIP lounge with WME | IMG and Jimmy Choo at Skylight at Moynihan Station, one of the main venues for the shows throughout New York Fashion Week.
The lounge featured a retrospective of the 20 most iconic Jimmy Choo shoes from the past 20 years, as curated by the brand’s Creative Director, Sandra Choi, and imagery from the Anniversary campaign, shot by Craig McDean.
Etihad’s world-class cabin crew at the lounge showed off Etihad Airways’ signature hospitality. The lounge was decorated with imagery from the airline’s campaign debuting its Italian couture uniforms, shot by Norman Jean Roy.
at #NewYorkFashionWeek. Thanks @EtihadAirways for the invite! #EtihadLounge #RunwaytoRunway pic.twitter.com/gReILqUnRC
— Majid Al Suwaidi (@Majid_AlSuwaidi) September 8, 2016
The cross-branding as extended at the VIP lounge in New York with Italian furniture company Poltrona Frau–which is also airline’s exclusive onboard partner for luxury leather upholstery in The Residence, First and Business classes. Frau delivered luxury to the venue on the lounge’s sofas, and on special armchairs designed by Peter Marino.
Our @poltronafrau sofas @nyfw to match our onboard comfort.Only the best for our guests. #RunwayToRunway pic.twitter.com/RddaxZ20HX
— Etihad Airways (@EtihadAirways) September 11, 2016
Etihad Airways also set up an Atelier at the main entrance of the Jimmy Choo VIP lounge, where arriving guests had their initials monogrammed on a luggage tag. Each accessory included custom insert highlighting the Etihad Airways guest experience.
Jet-Set
On the airport tarmac at JFK International Airport, model Amber Valletta unveiled a specially dedicated Etihad Airways A380 livery with the “NYFW: The Shows” branded logo on the aircraft’s engines and door.
Click to Enlarge
Etihad Airways “NYFW: The Shows”-branded A380 aircraft at JFK International Airport.
Prints by Jimmy Choo are prominently displayed on board in The Lobby area of the aircraft, which is located on the upper deck between the First Apartments and Business Studios.
The Jimmy Choo 20th Anniversary celebration will continue with Etihad Airways during London Fashion Week and in Abu Dhabi later this year. New York Fashion Week is the second major partnership for Etihad Airways in New York following its principle partnership with the New York City Football Club.
The airline promoted its activities at New York Fashion Week using the hashtag #RunwayToRunway.
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[…] week, the airline also organised a special event marking the 20th anniversary of Jimmy Choos with a dedicated VIP lounge and exhibit at Skylight at Moynihan […]