Prabal Gurung to design uniforms for ANA's crew

ANA is delighted to reveal that the new uniforms will be designed by acclaimed fashion designer Prabal Gurung, whose designs have been worn by First Lady Michelle Obama, the Duchess of Cambridge and Lady Gaga.

Prabal Gurung was born in Singapore, raised in Nepal and began his design career in New Delhi. He then moved to New York where he studied at Parsons The New School for Design while interning with Donna Karan.

Upon graduating, Gurung joined the design team at Cynthia Rowley before assuming the role of design director at the iconic Bill Blass. In 2009, Gurung launched his own collection, PRABAL GURUNG, at New York Fashion Week.

Gurung’s philosophy encompasses modern luxury, indelible style and an astute sense of glamour, complementing 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 uniforms 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.

“The uniform worn by our cabin attendants and ground staff is the most highly visible form of branding for our customers,” said Toshitaka Watanabe, Senior Vice President responsible for CS Promotion and Products & Services Innovations.

“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.”

“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.

"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,” says Prabal Gurung.

Concept of the new uniform

The new uniform will be introduced to celebrate the sixtieth anniversary of the company, which occurred last year. In line with this, Prabal Gurung was briefed to create a design which conveyed a feeling of “new challenges” and “evolution” and we wanted our Ground Staff and Cabin Attendants to look radiant. The uniforms will also convey a sense of Japanese hospitality.

About the designer

Prabal Gurung is a talented and celebrated young designer. His focus on quality and innovation has placed Gurung at the forefront of American fashion with designs worn by leading ladies including First Lady Michelle Obama, The Duchess of Cambridge, and top American celebrities including Gwyneth Paltrow and Oprah Winfrey. In 2010 he was the recipient of the Ecco Domani Fashion Fund Award and selected as runner up for the 2010 CFDA / Vogue Fashion Fund.

ANA Group