Etihad Airways launches a new loungewear collection which is inspired by Abu Dhabi. The stylish Etihad Loungewear line by Emirati brand A Friend of Mine by Xpoze will be offered to the airline’s guests on all First Class flights, and also to those staying in The Residence on board the Airbus A380 fleet.
The Etihad Loungewear collection was designed by A Friend of Mine by Xpoze following an extensive brief from the airline, which was seeking innovative and striking designs for inflight apparel which would be comfortable, functional, and would follow the same attention to detail and design principles held by Etihad Airways. The creations needed to be high-quality, wearable onboard for relaxing and sleeping, yet be simple and stylish enough to be worn outdoors or matched with other items of clothing.
The new loungewear draws its inspiration from traditional Emirati dress. The simple lines of the traditional gown are combined with current global trends to create an aesthetic unique to Etihad. Earthy colors have been used to ensure that the pieces in the collection complement all skin tones, and can be easily matched with other items of clothing for everyday wear. Made of anti-bacterial and hypoallergenic Modal, the loungewear is free of unnecessary stitching and embellishments and is crease-resistant and breathable.
Founded by Rawdha Al Shaffar, Buthaina Al Marri and Fatma Al Muddhareb, A Friend of Mine by Xpoze was named the winner of a major competition launched by Etihad Airways in partnership with leading UAE fashion magazine Zahrat Al Khaleej to identify the best local talent to create the new designs. The competition drew almost 71,000 votes via the publication’s social media channels.
Etihad Airways used its sponsorships of global fashion weeks and its Platinum Partner status of Louvre Abu Dhabi to launch a new Emirati designed loungewear collection at an exclusive reception held last night at the iconic cultural institution. The launch of the line coincides with the debut of Moda Operandi’s Ramadan collection. Both Etihad Airways and Moda Operandi share a commitment to fashion’s expansion in the Middle East through the support of local designers.