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Air France celebrates 90 years of elegance
Air France is gearing up to celebrate its 90th anniversary on October 7, 2023, and the airline has big plans to mark this milestone.
To commemorate this occasion, Air France has collaborated with Xavier Ronze, the head of costume design workshops at the Paris Opera ballet, to create a collection of five iconic dresses that embody the airline's legendary history. These dresses will be showcased in an exhibition at the Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann from September 28 to October 10, 2023.
Air France, born from the merger of several aviation companies in 1933, has been at the forefront of promoting the French art of travel worldwide, offering nearly 1,000 daily flights to 200 destinations with a fleet of over 240 aircraft. In 2023, Air France is celebrating 90 years of elegance, innovation, and excellence in the world of aviation. The airline has always represented the quintessential French charm and sophistication, offering an exceptional travel experience that embodies the essence of France.
To illustrate and bring to life these 90 years of elegance, Air France is unveiling a collection of five iconic dresses, each representing a different aspect of the airline's history. These dresses symbolize aircraft and technology, uniforms and fashion, iconic posters promoting the airline's vast network, fine dining and tableware, and design and architecture. These dresses are an invitation to explore the various themes that have allowed Air France to continuously set new standards and lead the way in the aviation industry.
Renowned costume designer Xavier Ronze, responsible for the costume design workshops at the Paris Opera Ballet, was tasked with creating these unique dresses. Ronze combined elements from Air France's rich heritage with contemporary pieces to create designs that bridge the gap between history and modernity, embodying the best of both Air France and French expertise.
To showcase this dress collection to the public, Air France has chosen the prestigious Galeries Lafayette in Paris, a renowned fashion destination. The exhibition, which runs from September 28 to October 10, 2023, will feature the dresses in the store's windows, surrounded by vintage Air France memorabilia and modern airline offerings. This display aims to highlight 90 years of in-flight comfort, legendary aircraft, designer uniforms, in-flight dining, and design.
Air France's innovative approach to showcasing its heritage at the heart of Paris allows both French and international visitors to relive their fondest memories of traveling with the airline or become a part of its legendary history.
Inside the store, pop-up shops will offer a range of specially created or reissued items for the anniversary celebration. These include models of old and new aircraft, comfort kits, postcards, luggage tags, notebooks, vintage travel bags, and iconic posters. Additionally, Air France has partnered with luxury French brands like Vanessa Bruno, Delsey, Bernardaud, Brun de Vian-Tiran, and Le Parapluie de Cherbourg to promote French craftsmanship exclusively available at Galeries Lafayette.
For the first time in its history, Air France is also offering visitors the opportunity to purchase original tableware signed by the painter Jean Picart Le Doux, used on board its La Première and Business cabins from 1966 to the 2000s. The proceeds from this sale will be donated to the Air France Foundation, which has been supporting children around the world for 30 years.
As part of the anniversary celebrations, Air France is hosting real fashion shows at Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann, allowing visitors to witness 90 years of French elegance. Models will showcase uniforms ranging from the earliest "barman" outfits to couture pieces designed by renowned fashion houses such as Christian Dior, Cristóbal Balenciaga, and Christian Lacroix. These fashion shows provide a unique journey through the different fashion eras that have defined Air France's identity.
