Manish Malhotra Collaborates With Etihad Airways To Create The ‘Abaya Saree’
Designer collaborations are known to garner love from wearers across the globe. With the biggest names coming together to produce a unique creation, collaborations have always been a fruitful partnership of cultures and two different ideologies. One such union between the celebrated Indian designer Manish Malhotra and Emirati designer, Hessa Al Falasi has made its way, to design the iconic ‘abaya saree.’ Inaugurating the 50th UAE National Day Celebrations, Etihad Airways weaves together a roster of artistic and cultural experiences as part of their ‘Hosting the World’ campaign.
Reinventing the traditional garment with his signature flair of design, the saree features coloured borders at the bottom and some beautiful embroidery motifs at the corners. Marinating his world of aesthetics with designer Hessa Al Falasi, the one-of-a-kind silhouette mixes the classic abaya with the Indian saree, a great example of the meeting of two cultures.
The unique partnership is stitched together to celebrate UAE’s prospering fashion trends and style with Hessa Al Falasi playing the perfect host to Bollywood’s favourite designer and Etihad’s cabin crew member stepping up as their muse.
View this post on Instagram
ALSO READ: Manish Malhotra Defends Showstopper Culture, Says It Isn’t A Strategy For Him. But Celebs Stealing The Limelight From Designers Shouldn’t Be The Norm
Talking further about the collaboration designer Manish Malhotra shared, “I have always enjoyed designing a saree. Over the years, I’ve constructed several styles of the six-yard staple, which is my absolute favourite. When Etihad Airways offered me to create an abaya saree, to mark UAE’s 50th anniversary, I knew they would meet at a crossroads of elegance and modesty, making it an effortless, chic, versatile, and one of its kind sartorial creation. I also decided to give it the pop of colour to add to the look.”
View this post on Instagram
Sharing further about the campaign, Amina Taher, Vice President Brand, Marketing and Sponsorships at Etihad Airways shared in a statement, “We challenged ourselves to celebrate the UAE’s golden jubilee in ways that not only recognise the country’s past and legacy but also acknowledge the incredible achievements that are the building blocks for the future. The UAE’s creative scene is booming and at Etihad, we are proud to recognise and honour this through this unique series of collaborations. Flying in Manish Malhotra, one of India’s most renowned fashion designers, to work with the UAE’s talented Hessa Al Falasi has been a highlight of the campaign.”
As a part of the ‘Hosting the world’ campaign, Etihad Airways aims to invite experts from the fields of Formula 1 racing, music and fashion from the UAE and the international arena for special collaborations.
