Couture on Wheels: Legendary Fashion and Automotive Partnerships

Fashion, design and automobiles have often intersected, creating special editions and collaborations that have resulted in a "win-win" for both brands involved. One of the first designers to merge fashion with automobiles was Pierre Cardin. In 1969, he personalized the Simca 1100 Cardin with unique finishes, fabrics and colors. He later worked on the AMC Javelin Pierre Cardin in 1971 and the Stash Cardin in 1976 with coachbuilder Franco Sbarro. In 1980, he founded Pierre Cardin Automotive in New York, creating the Cardin Evolution I based on the Cadillac Eldorado Coupé. These vehicles were showcased in international car shows alongside fashion models, turning the presentations into true fashion shows.

Pierre Cardin Automotive was founded by the Italian-French designer in 1980 in New York, producing the Cardin Evolution I based on the Cadillac Eldorado.

The luxury brand Lincoln, part of the Ford galaxy, collaborated with several designers in the 1970s and 1980s, including Emilio Pucci, Givenchy, Valentino and Versace, creating "designer series" models. The most famous was the Cartier Edition, featuring dove gray paint, white and red pinstripes and refined interiors.

Lincoln offered the Cartier Edition trim, created in collaboration with the famous jeweler.

In 1978, Gucci interpreted the Cadillac Seville in a new way. Aldo Gucci introduced 24-karat gold finishes, the iconic intertwined double G on the hood ornament and other elements like the wheels and interior roof pillars.

Only 10 units of the Gucci version of the Cadillac Seville were produced.

In the 1980s, Peugeot enriched the 205 lineup with "branded" versions. One notable special edition was the 1984 205 Lacoste, inspired by the world of tennis, featuring decorations resembling a tennis net, grass-green finishes and the iconic crocodile logo.

The French brands Peugeot and Lacoste collaborated to create the 1984 tennis-inspired 205 Lacoste.

Hermès has also been very active in automotive collaborations. In 2008, they created a special edition of the 2CV to celebrate its 60th anniversary, featuring elegant brown coloring for both the exterior and interior, with leather door panels and other components, including the gear lever in true Hermès style.

In 2008, to mark the 60th anniversary of the 2CV, Citroën and Hermès created a special version of the small French car.

The famous French brand also worked on a special Bugatti Veyron model called Fbg par Hermès. Modifications included air intakes on the wheel rims evoking Hermès' characteristic stitching style, aluminum grilles on the radiator and intercoolers bearing the "H" mark as well as leather seats and trim inside.

Bugatti and Hermès, sharing the same target clientele, created the meticulously detailed Veyron Fbg in 2008.

During Milan Fashion Week in October 2003, a limited edition of the Mercedes CLK by designer Giorgio Armani was presented. Painted in sand color with brown leather interiors, it featured glossy-matte contrasts and no chrome, in true Armani style. Only 100 units were sold, embodying exclusivity.

Giorgio Armani customized the Mercedes-Benz CLK in October 2003.

In the high-end segment, the Lamborghini Murciélago LP640 was created in collaboration with Versace in only 20 units. The lower dashboard, center console, door panels and seats were upholstered in leather with Versace's iconic Greek motif, which also appeared on the car's exterior.

Only 20 units of the Lamborghini Murciélago LP640 were made in collaboration with Versace.