Lebanon, Tuesday 28 February, 2017: On Thursday, British Airways celebrated its love of Milan by taking British supermodels Suki Waterhouse and David Gandy out onto the city’s fashionable streets for two very special photoshoots – followed by an exclusive fashion show and very British afternoon tea experience.
Suki took to the fashionable and historic streets of Milan this morning to unveil the hand-crafted masterpiece – alongside British Airways pilots and crew – in front of the famous Cathedral in Duomo Square.
The dress was created by acclaimed British fashion designer and artist Zoe Bradley and took over 100 hours to assemble. A stunning head piece was also created featuring actual boarding passes with Suki’s name printed on them. The dress travelled 965 miles from Cardiff, UK to Milan, Italy and arrived during one of the most stylish weeks in Milan’s calendar.
25-year-old Suki who was thrilled to be in Milan said: “I was so excited when British Airways asked me to get involved, Zoe Bradley is renowned for her paper dresses! I love the fact that the colours and the shape subtly represent the airline. It’s great to have it customised to me, and I think people are absolutely blown away by it. I was just praying it wouldn’t rain!”
Celebrated artist Zoe Bradley – who has worked with the likes of Christian Louboutin, Harrods and Alexander McQueen in the past – created the design with her team at her studio back in Cardiff, UK.
She said: “I wanted to create a design which captured the line of the iconic British Airways logo and really communicated air travel and the link between Britain, British Airways and fashion. Suki is the perfect English rose to model the piece.
“I love to take on a challenge and when British Airways first approached me with the idea of creating a dramatic dress in paper to be worn by a model, it was a chance to create something truly eye catching.”
Suki and the British Airways pilots and crew wowed locals before heading to a special afternoon tea experience at an exclusive Milan venue Corso Como, where the dress was put on display before it returns to the British Airways museum at Waterside – its UK headquarters.
Later in the day, it was the turn of fashion royalty David Gandy to turn heads once more in the Italian fashion capital as British Airways sent him out for a spin in a vintage Jaguar E-Type with a British Airways pilot in tow.
The 36-year-old, wearing a beautiful suit took to the streets to visit popular tourist landmarks including Arco della Pace where he stopped to pose for photographs with British Airways pilots and crew.
Speaking beside the Jaguar car David commented that Milan and London have a lot in common. “Both cities are absolutely revered throughout the fashion world – and rightly so,” he said. “The two cities are where models and designers alike want to be and for that reason hold a very special bond”.
“They both offer incredible places to shop – but on top of that you have the wonderful food, the culture and the people. London and Milan are very special to me and today I had a great time exploring the city by road. It was nice to take a moment and soak it up all up – usually I’m in the back of a car zooming from one shoot to the next. I really enjoyed taking the driving seat.”
British Airways teamed up with The Berkeley Hotel, London, to give VIP guests a taste of the Berkeley’s legendary Prêt-à-Portea afternoon tea inspired by the themes and colours of the fashion world. They also enjoyed an exclusive fashion show of British Airways cabin crew outfits through the ages.
Paolo De Renzis, Commercial Manager Corporate Europe, Africa & Levant, said: “London and Milan are cities that are at the very forefront of the fashion industry. We offer multiple onward connections to Milan via London Heathrow which allows our passengers to explore the best that both of these vibrant and exciting cities have to offer.”
“Zoe Bradley’s wonderful British Airways paper dress is the perfect piece to mark the launch of our special fares to celebrate the fashion capitals – especially as our staff pride themselves on their impeccable – and very fashionable – outfits. We’re certainly very impressed by her interpretation.”
Celebrate travel, fashion and style with British Airways with return fares starting from as little as USD 356. Visit www.britishairways.com for additional information on flight schedules and bookings.