Prabal Gurung to Design Airline Uniforms

One of the First Lady’s favorite designers will bring his sense of chic to the friendly skies for All Nippon Airways

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In the latest matchup between a high-profile designer and an airline, New York City-based designer Prabal Gurung has been tapped to create new uniforms for close to 10,000 of All Nippon Airways (ANA)’s flight attendants and ground staff. “The new uniform will pay homage to the history of the airline while incorporating a fresh and modern perspective,” Gurung said.

The partnership follows on the heels of Vivienne Westwood’s announcement of her collaboration with Virgin Atlantic for a fresh set of uniforms. Last year, Virgin America enlisted Banana Republic to create new fashions, and Singapore Air worked with Pierre Balmain to spruce up its look.

This fashion industry darling looks to be a smart choice to shape a new look for Japan’s largest airline. After a childhood in Nepal, Gurung moved to New York in 1999 and attended Parsons School of Design. He worked as the design director at Bill Blass before founding his own label in 2009, and in 2010 he was named runner-up for the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund prize. In February 2013 his diffusion line with Target flew off the shelves.

Gurung is known for a sleek, polished aesthetic and his use of graphic floral prints; his designs have endeared him to the likes of Zoe Saldana, Rooney Mara and Michelle Obama herself. His ANA uniforms will be revealed later this summer.

Click here for a look at how fashion in flight has evolved over the past 75 years.

MORE: Target Announces Prabal Gurung Collection