Rose and bamboo in creative harmony as airline partners with Chinese designer Masha Ma on bespoke design British Supermodel Georgia May Jagger launches GREAT aircraft in style British Airways today unveiled a 777 aircraft with a livery design specially-created by celebrated Chinese fashion designer Masha Ma.
The aircraft landed into Shanghai airport this morning to celebrate the opening of the GREAT Festival of Creativity, Shanghai, which is being attended by The Duke of Cambridge, HRH Prince William.
British supermodel, Georgia May Jagger was on hand to launch the new GREAT design, dressed in Masha Ma’s Spring / Summer 2015 collection, which has shown at Paris Fashion Week. The design by Ma on the Boeing 777-200 aircraft, depicts a bamboo and a rose in an east-meets-west fusion of symbols and artistic styles.
British Airways engineering team used specialist techniques to paint the aircraft with Ma’s design which combines a western impressionistic style with Chinese ink-and-wash painting methods.
The design which took over 2472 man-hours and 186 individual stencils to apply, will fly around the world on British Airways’ global network for years to come. Watch the specially-created livery design being painted onto the aircraft:
“Bamboo and roses have significant cultural connotations in China and Britain respectively, and are each cherished symbols. In Chinese culture, bamboo represents modesty, integrity and vitality. For Britain, the rose
symbolises love, nobility and dignity,” said Ma, who studied at the world-renowned Central Saint Martins art college in London. “As Sino-British ties continue to bloom and flourish, I felt that the meeting of bamboo with a rose would be the perfect way to celebrate the growing friendship and collaboration between the two countries,” added Ma in explaining her design concept.
Richard Tams, British Airways executive vice president China, said, ”We are delighted to have the opportunity to work with Masha on such an iconic project . Her inspiring design delivers a strong message: that of a growing and flourishing relationship between the cultures of Britain and China. We hope it will encourage individuals and businesses in both countries to forge closer ties.”
The festival, which runs from March 2 to 4 at the Long Museum in Shanghai, is part of the GREAT Britain campaign aimed at promoting the UK as a world-class destination for trade, tourism, investment and education to
generate jobs and growth. The festival will be attended by The Duke of Cambridge, HRH Prince William, the first visit to the Chinese mainland by a senior member of the British royal family in almost three decades.
At the festival, British Airways will collaborate with Visit Britain to showcase the best of British hospitality as they welcome visitors to a unique garden party, inspired by the royal tradition. A quintessential British afternoon tea will be served by British Airways cabin crew, and there will be a showcase of the airline’s royal heritage memorabilia.
British Airways and VisitBritain will also host a masterclass on creativity and culture in modern Britain. Television star, Chen LuYu will be the host for this inspiring session, as leading professionals from the world of fashion, design and food share their personal experiences of working, studying and building their business in Britain.
The speakers will include Garry Copeland, British Airways managing director of Combined Operations, Sally Balcombe, CEO of VisitBritain, leading restauranteur Tom Parker-Bowles, Saville Row tailor Patrick Grant, Luisa
Mengoli from the V&A Shenzou, as well as Masha Ma, discussing her artwork design for British Airways.-
Source: British Airways