Transcending traditional roles, aircraft and helicopter companies have entered the realm of luxury lifestyle in a number of design collaborations with renowned fashion houses including Hermès and Versace. With an increasing number of affluent travelers preferring to fly in their own customized aircraft, industry crossover between the world of haute couture and private aviation is emerging as a growing trend.
As members of the wealthy elite and corporate leaders contribute to the proliferation of private aviation in the region, the luxury aircraft market is experiencing a surge in demand. Apart from the privacy of business aviation, wealthy travelers are also looking to put a personal stamp on their own aircraft as an additional element of exclusivity.
In light of this, aircraft manufacturers have joined forces with the most influential in haute couture design to offer exclusive interior design service for private aircraft owners, catering to their specific needs. In these collaborations, aircraft makers provide expert know-how on the logistical, technical as well as management aspects of private aviation, while luxury designers work with aircraft owners on the interior design and stylistic aspects, tailored to their own individual tastes and preferences.
Targeting this emerging market of affluent flyers, the House of Hermès, a renowned player in the fashion world, has recently confirmed a partnership with Eurocopter to create the Helicopter by Hermès. Aiming to enhance the experience of business travel, the unique collaborative effort will see Hermès designer Gabriele Pezzini working with the engineers from Eurocopter.
Aircraft manufacturers have joined forces with the most influential in haute couture design to offer exclusive interior design service f or private aircraft owners
“While growth in business aviation is robust – with promising upside potential in both the US and other key markets – it is a segment that also places extremely high premium on quality of design,” explains Senior Executive Vice President of Eurocopter Philippe Harache.
Evident in the features of its spacious cabin and storage compartments, the signatures of Hermès are apparent in the interior design of Eurocopter’s EC135 helicopter. A minimalist exterior paint scheme of the spacious cabin interior is complemented with the Hermès’ ‘Toile H’ canvas, with calf leather upholstered seats and banquette. “We set out to create a product that would add value and appeal for a highly desirable, but discriminating market segment,” Harache adds.
In another notable partnership, Versace and TAG Aircraft Interiors also combined their expertise last year for an exclusive interior design service catering to the needs of private jet owners. The crossover effort between Versace and TAG-AI covers the range of interior design applications for Bombardier Global XRS, Boeing BBJ, Gulfstream 550 and Airbus ACJ aircraft.
