business left page: Female aviation pioneer, Amelia Earhart © Smithsonian Institution
it was flying or an elegant affair. She was most conscious of the image she projected. Several New York garment manufacturers made an exclusive Amelia Earhart line of clothes which were marketed in 30 cities, with one exclusive store in each city. Amelia had set her mark not only as one of the world’s finest aviators but as one of the leading fashion icons of our time. During the early eighties after the fashion frenzy of the Braniffs’ outfit a rather conservative period followed at altitude, we saw the rather dull BA pack, and aviation lost its lustre. In the early nineties Virgin Atlantic ushered in a new style of glamour at altitude. The Virgin girls were known to cause a stir both on the ground and in the air and probably still lead the catwalk at altitude today. Private aviation emerged in the early hours of the millennium - migrating over from the US over to European shores. A new era of aviation was born; style and glamour returned after the onset of
below: Modern day pioneer, Gabriella Somerville MD of private aviation company ConnectJets
the cheap seat revolution. Today we are witnessing the new private jet operators developing their own style at altitude for the private client. Whilst still embryonic - there are signs that they will soon be the trailblazers catching that spirit of fashion and creating a new catwalk of their own. Aviation should be romantic, it should stir us into a state of excitement. We are crossing lands and continents - embarking on an adventure of wild romance. I think it was Norman Parkinson who captured one of the best shots personifying the very spirit and essence of travel. The picture was taken in Africa and was called the ‘Art of Travel’. The rustic fuselage of a Dakota parked against the backdrop of the African plain with Wenda Rogerson (the famous model who married Norman) displaying sheer beauty, elegance and glamour. Fashion and flying will always be intrinsically woven together … www.connectjets.com e: sales@connectjets.com t: +44 (0) 1276 855 498
Bombardier Aerospace Learjet 45 at TAG Farnborough Airport courtesy of GAMA. Audi R8
ConnectJets - your complete aviation provider - the answer to your seamless continuation or transition into the world of private flight
Help for Heroes & ConnectJets
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onnectJets, Help for Heroes and Chinawhite teamed up to host the perfect inaugural New Year’s Eve Battledress Ball all in aid of Help for Heroes. Chinawhite, transformed their club into a military inspired ball room; as heroes and war lords from history and fantasy gathered for the first Battledress Ball. Inspired by characters and backdrops from 21st century action and romance war movies the event was thrown in support of Help for Heroes, the charity formed to help British troops who have been wounded in action. ConnectJets, the private jet aviation business owned by Gabriella Somerville was the main sponsor of the night, contributing a number of once-in-alifetime experiences as auction prizes. These included a trip on a Hawker private jet, a day with the Red Arrows, formation flying with The Blades and Jason Leonard and the chance to star in a luxury aviation themed fashion photo shoot for International Life magazine. Gabriella Somerville owner and CEO of ConnectJets says “Help for Heroes is a charity that inspires such impressive acts of kindness that we wanted to be involved. We therefore created several money-can’t-
buy aviation experiences that were auctioned online to raise funds for Help for Heroes.” Lance Corporal Matthew Wilson from 2nd Battalion, The Rifles was injured in Afghanistan in 2009 when he stood on an IED (Improvised Explosive Device) during a routine foot patrol in Afghanistan. He lost his lower leg and badly damaged his arm. Commenting on the evening he said, “It was amazing of ConnectJets to sponsor us at such an amazing venue. I had a brilliant new year’s eve and an excellent amount of money was raised for such a great charity which has helped me so much.” G-ORYX - Hawker 900XP - courtesy of Oryx Jets - Biggin Hill Airport. Auction winner of the aviation themed fashion shoot Liz Garrett, Bryn Parry, CEO & coPortrait by International Life magazine founder, Help for Heroes said “We’re delighted with We may not be able to prevent them from the amount of support that has been being hurt but together we can do our bit behind this event and we’d like to say a to help them get better.” Chinawhite generously hosted this huge thank you to everyone involved. Every penny of the money raised on the event at their London venue and proceeds night will go directly to providing the very from bar and tickets sales were donated best support for life for our wounded. to Help for Heroes. www.internationallife.tv/business
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