Prabal Gurung to design new uniforms for ANA cabin crew, ground staff

All Nippon Airways (ANA), Japan's largest airline group, has chosen renowned fashion designer Prabal Gurung to design new uniforms for its cabin crew and ground staff.

The company has been celebrating its 60th anniversary and transition to a new corporate structure.

Gurung has designed clothes for celebrities like U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama, the Duchess of Cambridge and music icon Lady Gaga.

"It is a great honor to partner with ANA as it celebrates its sixtieth anniversary and enters this new and exciting phase of growth. The new uniform will pay homage to the history of the airline while incorporating a fresh and modern perspective," said Gurung.

"I have been hugely inspired by this project, particularly incorporating my own personal passion for luxury and glamour with that created by ANA's Ground Staff and Cabin Attendants during the flight experience. I am looking forward to unveiling my designs in the coming months and watching them fly throughout the world with ANA," he added.

Gurung's philosophy encompasses modern luxury, indelible style and an astute sense of glamour, which complements ANA Group's vision for the future of the group.

The new uniforms will raise the bar in terms of quality and style at the full-service carrier and help ANA to deliver best in class customer satisfaction as it strives to become the world's leading airline group.

The new uniform will be worn by almost 10,000 ANA staff members from second half of 2014. The design of the uniforms will be unveiled in the coming months.

"ANA is thrilled to work with Prabal, one of the most promising and celebrated designers of his generation, to create a new concept for ANA, helping us to deliver the highest level of Japanese hospitality to our customers." said Toshitaka Watanabe, Senior Vice President responsible for CS Promotion and Products and Services Innovations.

"The uniform worn by our cabin attendants and ground staff is the most highly visible form of branding for our customers," he added

All Nippon Airways (ANA) is the eighth largest airline in the world by revenues (2011) and the largest in Japan by passenger numbers (2012).

Founded in 1952, ANA flies today to 31 international destinations and 50 domestic cities with a fleet of 232 aircraft serving a network of 175 routes.