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Air India partners with fashion designer Manish Malhotra for designing new uniforms

Air India has partnered with fashion designer Manish Malhotra to design new uniforms for its flight crew, ground staff, and security personnel. The airline aims to roll out the new uniforms by the end of 2023 as part of its ongoing modernization program. Malhotra and his team have started meeting with Air India's frontline staff to better understand their specialized needs.

Air India on Thursday announced its partnership with fashion designer Manish Malhotra to design new uniforms for over 10,000 Air India employees on the frontline, including cabin crew and others as part of its ongoing modernisation programme, said the press release of the airline.

Malhotra and his team have commenced the project by meeting Air India's frontline staff, conducting discussions and fitting sessions with them to better understand their specialised needs.

The new uniforms for employees of Air India should be rolled out by the end of 2023, said the airline."The airline is working closely with Malhotra and his team to combine elements of our brand, our heritage and our culture, together with the unique requirements of the airline environment, for what we hope will be a fresh and exciting new look that supports and represents the new Air India," Air India CEO and MD Campbell Wilson said.

"Our shared ideology is simple yet profound: to evolve without erasing, to modernise without forgetting. Together, we aim to intertwine tradition with the future, crafting uniforms where comfort meets authenticity, wrapped in timeless elegance," said Manish Malhotra.

Earlier, Competition Commission of India (CCI) on September 1 approved the merger of Tata SIA airlines into Air India, subjected to certain conditions.

Air India partnering with renowned fashion designer Manish Malhotra for designing new uniforms can have several benefits for students:

1. Educational Collaboration: Students studying fashion design and related fields can benefit from this collaboration by gaining real-world exposure to designing uniforms for a major airline. They can learn from the techniques, styles, and materials used by a prominent designer like Manish Malhotra.

2. Internship Opportunities: Such collaborations often open doors for students to intern with the designer or the airline, allowing them to work on live projects and gain hands-on experience. This practical exposure is invaluable for their future careers.

3. Inspiration and Creativity: Students can draw inspiration from the unique designs and innovative ideas implemented by Manish Malhotra. Seeing their role model work on a project of this scale can ignite creativity and motivate them to aim for similar heights in their careers.

4. Networking: Interacting with professionals from the fashion and airline industry during this collaboration can help students expand their professional network. Building connections with influential people can lead to mentorship opportunities, internships, or even job offers in the future.

5. Portfolio Enhancement: Working on a project for a renowned airline like Air India can significantly enhance the portfolios of participating students. This high-profile project can serve as a testament to their skills and creativity, making them more attractive to potential employers after graduation.

6. Exposure and Recognition: If students' designs are chosen or appreciated, they can gain public recognition and exposure. This recognition can be a stepping stone for their careers, opening doors for freelance opportunities, collaborations, or even launching their own fashion lines.

7. Industry Insights: Engaging with a real-world project provides students with insights into the challenges and intricacies of designing uniforms for specific industries. Understanding the practical aspects of designing uniforms for airline staff can be a valuable lesson for students pursuing fashion design as a career.

8. Cultural and Historical Understanding: Designing uniforms for a culturally diverse country like India, through a collaboration with Air India, can provide students with a deep understanding of the cultural and historical aspects that influence fashion choices. This knowledge can be applied to their future projects, making their designs more culturally sensitive and appealing.

In summary, the collaboration between Air India and Manish Malhotra not only benefits the airline and the designer but also offers a wealth of opportunities and learning experiences for aspiring fashion designers and students in related fields.