7 Iconic Collaborations Between Luxe Fashion and High Horsepower

In this age of Instagram and influencers, cool collaborations are the norm. The trend has become so widespread that you’d be forgiven for thinking that it’s a recent phenomenon. The world of luxury automobiles has long seen some truly incredible partnerships. Here’s a look at seven standout instances in which top-drawer couture brands or designers joined hands with iconic automobile brands to create incredible four-wheeled works of art.

Mercedes-Benz Project G-Class Past II Future

Project G-Class Past II Future is a bold, one-off art car by Nigo, with a restored 1990s G-Wagon in olive green, grey, black and gold.Image courtesy: Mercedes-Benz

Revealed to the world last year in Shanghai, the Project G-Class Past II Future is a one-off art piece inspired by Japanese fashion designer, DJ, entrepreneur, and record producer Nigo. The base of this incredible piece is a G-Class from the 1990s that was completely restored. It features a minimalistic dual-tone olive green and grey paint job, combined with striking black and gold accents. Classic G-Class elements have been reinterpreted to stunning effect. Take the gold-painted auxiliary fuel can, for instance, or the blacked-out steel wheels and that trademark tailgate-mounted spare wheel. The interior is also a masterclass in reinterpretation, with renowned audio installation artist Devon Turnbull lending his expertise to the project. The innovative sound system features "boom boxes" mounted on the top linkage of the roof, the entirety of which, boom boxes included, can be removed. Meanwhile, accents in gold and orange draw a parallel with a gender-neutral collaborative fashion collection between Mercedes-Benz, Moncler, and Nigo. The art piece aside, the G-Class Past II Future also came in a new version with a limited run of just 20 units. These limited-edition units reference the art piece and are designed to highlight the brand’s timelessness.

Rolls-Royce Phantom Oribe

Commissioned by Yusaku Maezawa, this bespoke Rolls-Royce Phantom Oribe was created as a “land jet” in collaboration with Hermès.Image courtesy: Rolls-Royce

This unique Roller was commissioned by Japanese entrepreneur, art collector, and supercar enthusiast Yusaku Maezawa. His vision was to have a land jet that would complement his private aircraft. To bring this phenomenal piece to life, Rolls-Royce collaborated with French luxury brand Hermès. Rolls-Royce’s lead designer, Michael Bryden, described the car as “a fusion of the East and West, ancient and modern, serenity and exhilaration.”

The car’s striking dual-tone green and cream exterior pays homage to the 16th-century Japanese Oribe ceramic ware, which Maezawa collects, and hence the name.
The interior is finished primarily in Enea green leather from Hermès, covering the steering wheel, duchess handles, gear selector, and other controls. The wooden speaker frets have been meticulously crafted by perforating the open-pore royal walnut applied to the doors.
For the gallery, which runs the length of the fascia and is a unique Rolls-Royce feature, Hermès commissioned an artwork based on a design by famous French artist and illustrator Pierre Peron. Inspired by the French brand’s iconic horse motif, the artwork is hand-painted on the dashboard to create the illusion of an exhibit behind glass, like a curated piece in an art gallery. A true masterpiece in collaborative craftsmanship.

Mercedes-Maybach S-Class Virgil Abloh Edition

The Mercedes-Maybach S680’s two-tone finish, obsidian black over sand, captures the bold aesthetic of Project Maybach.Image courtesy: Mercedes-Maybach

This unique, limited-edition Mercedes-Maybach S-Class marked the culmination of Project Maybach—a collaboration between Mercedes-Maybach and the late Virgil Abloh. The vehicle itself was finalised just before the untimely passing of the fashion designer, creative director, philanthropist, architect, and polymath artist toward the end of 2021. Only 150 units of this special edition were made available to customers. The S680’s two-tone exterior—obsidian black on the upper half and a sandy hue on the lower — is a distinctive result of Project Maybach. This bichromatic theme extends into the car’s luxurious cabin, where a special Mercedes-Maybach x Virgil Abloh logo is inscribed on the piano black centre console, door sill panels, headrests, and seat cushions. Alongside the vehicle, a capsule collection of apparel and accessories related to Project Maybach was also launched.

Chiron Habillé par Hermès

Chiron Habillé par Hermès.Image courtesy: Bugatti

When you think Bugatti, you think of pushing the envelope. If the old Veyron was an engineering marvel, the Chiron pushes the boundaries almost to the edge of space. But even that wasn’t enough for Bugatti enthusiast and real estate investor Manny Khoshbin. He decided to build the ultimate French connection by bringing together the house of Ettore Bugatti and Emile Maurice Hermès. The result? A one-of-a-kind piece of automotive art that represents the pinnacle of French luxury.

While it may look like any other Chiron from a distance, take just half a step closer and its uniqueness begins to shine. The iconic horseshoe grille, for instance, is filled with Hermès' signature ‘H’ motif, while the paint is a special shade called Craie, made famous by Hermès products such as handbags and other luxury products. Under the rear spoiler, classic design sketches of rearing horses hint at the staggering 1,500hp of the W16 engine.

Commissioned by Manny Khoshbin, this one-of-a-kind Chiron fuses the worlds of Bugatti and Hermès; from the signature ‘H’ motif on the grille to the Craie paint shade, with nearly every element inside crafted by Hermès.Image courtesy: Bugatti

Inside, virtually all materials have been crafted by Hermès, yet tested to meet the highest safety standards demanded by Bugatti. Interestingly, this is not the first collaboration between Bugatti and Hermès. The original partnership dates back to the time of Ettore Bugatti and Emile Maurice Hermès (grandson of founder Thierry Hermès), when Bugatti commissioned saddles from Hermès before World War I. In the post-WWI era, Hermès also crafted leather seats for Bugatti’s race cars.

Paul Smith Defender

Sir Paul Smith’s bold tribute to the iconic Defender features 27 colours inspired by the British countryside and military heritage.Image courtesy: Paul Smith Defender

This unique ode to the iconic British SUV was created in the run-up to the phasing out of the older generation of Defenders. Designed by Sir Paul Smith, this brilliantly rugged legend features a staggering 27 colours on its exterior! Smith, who is not only an owner but also a Land Rover Defender enthusiast, chose deep, rich colours that reflected both the British countryside and the Armed Forces, which have long used the Defender. To create this range of colours, Smith provided Land Rover’s Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) team with a list of Pantone references. The interiors combine black leather with blue stitching and include multiple key design elements scattered throughout. A particularly interesting detail is the motif of a bee painted on the roof. It’s meant to be a tongue-in-cheek reference to the Defender’s rural heritage. He also added personal touches to classic Land Rover elements. For example, a satin finish was applied to the outside rear-view mirrors, door handles, and even the wheels. A true-blue one-off.

Maserati Quattroporte Ermenegildo Zegna Limited Edition

The Maserati Quattroporte Ermenegildo Zegna Limited Edition featured a specially developed platinum-hued finish using ultra-fine aluminium pigments and a gloss black primer, highlighting the fluidity and purity of metals in true Italian style.Image courtesy: Maserati

This collaboration was announced in the fall of 2013 with a brief press release stating that the car would be unveiled at the Frankfurt Auto Show in 2014. The limited-edition concept was as much a masterclass in understated sophistication as the press release that introduced it. Intended for a limited production run, the car featured a specially developed paint finish that highlighted the fluidity and purity of metals. The platinum metal colour effect was achieved using ultra-fine aluminium pigments and a gloss black primer, which amplified the brilliance of the aluminium. The result was this unique sense of depth to the Quattroporte’s exterior styling. The interior of the car also reflected a balance between the classic and the contemporary. Classical warm hues were used to create a harmony with prevalent trends in men’s fashion, while also conveying a formal and sophisticated demeanour that would appeal to a Maserati Quattroporte owner. The use of genuine soft leather in the roof lining, door panels, and seats, along with a velvety bright fabric, further enhanced the desirability of the Zegna Limited Edition.

Lamborghini Murcielago LP 640 Roadster Versace

Lamborghini and Versace unite in this striking Murciélago Roadster, featuring a transparent engine cover and full-grain Nappa leather seats hand-embroidered with the iconic Versace Greek motif.Image courtesy: Lamborghini

These two Italian powerhouses of design came together to launch a new limited-edition version of Lamborghini’s Murcielago Roadster back in 2008. The car, along with an exclusive line of accessories, was previewed for the first time in Milan that summer.

A part of Lamborghini’s Ad Personam programme, which allows individual customers to create personalised cars, this project saw Versace designers join hands with Lamborghini’s team to produce a truly unique super roadster. The vehicle featured, for the first time, a transparent engine cover showcasing the mighty V12 engine. It also came with monochrome cradle seats crafted from full-grain Nappa leather, hand embroidered with the iconic Versace Greek motif, which also made its appearance on the lower part of the doors. The one-of-a-kind collaboration perfectly blended supercar performance with high fashion sophistication, an expression of classic Italian panache.