Etihad Airways, Junk Kouture partner to promote sustainability through creativity

Etihad Airways has announced its partnership with Junk Kouture, the world’s largest sustainable youth fashion competition.

Locally, Etihad will donate obsolete aircraft items such as old seat covers, carpets, cabin crew uniforms and life vests to UAE schools participating in Junk Kouture for upcycling and use in their student’s designs. Social media and content offerings will also be developed and produced expanding the message of grass roots change.

The partnership is announced in the lead up to the first ever world final of Junk Kouture at Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi scheduled for January 11 2023. The venue will host the event celebrating youth creativity, sustainability, performance and self-expression. Sixty designs, including 10 from the UAE, and their teams from New York, London, Milan, Paris and Dublin will be flown to Abu Dhabi by Etihad Airways to compete for the title of ‘World Designer of the Year’.

As part of the deal, Etihad will also provide flights to all competing teams across five international markets.

Miral will supporting Junk Kouture as an events partner at the Abu Dhabi City Final in Manarat Al Saadiyat on Saadiyat Island and the world final at the Etihad Arena on Yas Island.

Junk Kouture challenges young people to make innovative outfits out of 100 per cent recyclable materials and items that are often labelled as waste.

Etihad Airways  is also using innovation and creativity to transform the future of flying and they are leading the industry in decarbonising aviation. The airline is reducing the impact of aviation on the environment through initiatives such as the Greenliner programme, research into sustainable aviation fuels and commitment to reduce single-use plastics. This aligns with the young participants of Junk Kouture using their innovation to create fashion from materials such as orange peel, coffee capsules, Pampas grass and single use plastic bags therefore becoming the future generation of circular engineers.

Amina Taher, VP Brand, Marketing and Sponsorship at Etihad Airways, said: “We are delighted to announce our partnership with Junk Kouture which reinforces our position as a leader in sustainability. As the UAE’s national airline, we are proud to extend our own sustainability ambitions to empower our partners to contribute in their own way. In the past, we’ve successfully partnered with artists to recycle aircraft parts into sculptures, and we’re excited about this latest journey into the world of fashion.”

Troy Armour CEO of Junk Kouture said: “We absolutely recognise and commend the tremendous efforts Etihad Airways are making towards sustainability and we’ve been blown away by their passion of what Junk Kouture is doing at grass roots level. They understand and want to support our drive for change in sustainability through creativity and innovation in young people, creating the circular engineers of tomorrow. Partnering with a global brand like Etihad Airways who aligns with our ethos and values, cements our mission at Junk Kouture and we look forward to having the team at Etihad Airways and Miral alongside us to make it happen!”

With the remaining five City Finals of Junk Kouture set to take place this autumn, including the Abu Dhabi City Final hosted in Manarat Al Saadiyat on Saadiyat Island, student participants from each city will battle it out for their place and a golden ticket presented by Etihad Airways on the night of the Junk Kouture World Final in the Etihad Arena on January 11, 2023.