[ad_1]
- Virgil Abloh and Mercedes-Benz finally launched their collection, which saw Abloh redesign the iconic G-Wagon.
- The collaboration was initially teased in July.
- In an interview with Hypebeast, Abloh and Mercedes-Benz Design Director Gorden Wagener discuss how the collaboration came about.
- Visit the Business Insider home page for more stories.
Initially discussed in July, the “Geländewagen Project”, the first collaboration of its kind between Mercedes-Benz and Virgil Abloh, has finally been unveiled. In collaboration with Mercedes-Benz Design Director Gorden Wagener, Abloh has designed an artistic model of the iconic G-Class, which celebrated its 40th anniversary last year.
As owners of a G-Class car, Abloh and Wagener used their personal experience when considering how Mercedes-Benz designs might be seen in a new light. His goal was to take away the luxury of a polished and flawless aesthetic, rather than create something that was more raw and natural.
The exterior of the car arrives in a clean white to emphasize its silhouette, while exposing its construction methods and celebrating the artisanal imperfections that make it unique, the paint has been partially sanded by hand to create a sense of simplicity.
Mercedes Benz
The turn signals, exterior mirrors and the bumper bar have been removed and the car body has been widened and lowered. However, the distinctive personality of the classic car remains intact, and an exaggeration of the tires and spare wheel exudes its renowned charisma.
“One of my personal rules, or ‘cheat notes,’ as I like to call them, is the rule of three,” Abloh said. HYPEBEAST when talking about what a collaboration means to him. “For me, an existing object needs to be altered only 3 percent to become something new, to evoke a new or different emotion, to be perceived differently by the world. I carry it with me in everything I do.”
“Collaboration is when two people, groups, brands, ideologies, come together with two different languages to create a new one,” continued Abloh. “Mercedes-Benz is a brand that represents exceptional performance and luxury. There is a history of the brand and the effects it has had on culture that simply cannot be denied.”
Mercedes Benz
Speaking about the collaboration, Wagener explained why Abloh was the ideal partner for Mercedes-Benz, “Like Virgil, Mercedes-Benz has the courage to be disruptive. The goal of ‘Project Geländewagen’ was to look at Mercedes-Benz design with a new perspective and create something unique that represents the future of luxury. “
“The important thing in terms of design is that it is much more difficult to remove something than to add something,” he continued. “This concept is deeply rooted in the Mercedes-Benz design philosophy, but also in Virgil’s philosophy, which is to question everything.”
“When we applied it to the G-Class for this project and cut it down completely, it was a really fun performance, ripping everything off and starting over, eliminating all that is not essential. It’s through this process of creating, editing, and reinventing. how great design can continually push boundaries “
A replica of the design piece will also be auctioned as part of this year’s Sotheby’s Contemporary Curated. Each year the sale, one of the auction house’s most revered series, is defined by the perspective of a different influential trendsetter each year. with all proceeds going to a charity that supports international creative communities. Advanced bidding on the Virgil Abloh x Mercedes-Benz G-Class replica project will begin on September 14, 2020, with proceeds going to a charity working in the arts.
