Fendi Maserati

Fendi Maserati monogramed seats

Fendi Maserati

We are not really big fans of forced collaborations by fashion brands with automotive brands. Yes, we understand that it opens up new opportunities within each others client base, but would a driving enthusiast prefer a Versace Lamborghini to a nice standard car? I don’t think so. Therefore, these ’specials’ must be targeted at those fashion luvvies that dress up small pooches in matching accessories. For example, please step forward the ‘Gucci Fiat 500′. An automotive handbag if ever there was one.

Therefore, what are we to make of the Maserati collaboration with fashion house Fendi?

Maserati have created a special edition GranCabrio with Fendi, each of which will be individually numbered. The Maserati GranCabrio Fendi (quite a mouthful in itself) comes painted in Grigio Fiamma Fendi a unique dark grey with an iridescent golden finish with Trident wheels with Fendi yellow brake callipers. The interior features ‘Pergamena’ – a Fendi wood trim and the seats have the Fendi F monogram stitched into them with the Maserati trident embroidered into the headrests in Fendi yellow.

We appreciate that Fendi also create rather lovely interiors, so should we see this as more of a special edition with an interior designers embellishments? Probably. Does that make it any more credible. I tiny bit, maybe. Personally, I like the colour of the car and the brake callipers in yellow (I doubt the disks are ceramic?!) – but please, sod off with your Fendi ‘F’ monogram stitching…

Available now at all good designer high streets, I’m sure.

Lotus Originals

February 2011 will mark the launch of new luxury lifestyle brand, Lotus Originals. Inspired by the Lotus DNA of innovation and design excellence, the debut collection is a range of performance outerwear, refined, luxury knitwear and leather goods that reflect the craftsmanship, heritage and spirit of Lotus. Lotus Originals will be exclusively available from the Lotus website (www.lotusoriginals.com) from February.

The launch of the new range is a natural step in the repositioning of Lotus as a lifestyle brand. As the saying goes, the devil is in the detail and the Lotus Originals range is no exception to this. Lotus have carefully hand picked the very best suppliers and materials to work with ensuring that the range reflects the future of Lotus. Those who appreciate the finer things in life can indulge themselves with 100% cashmere sweaters and hand-treated leather in the form of a stunning leather jacket, inspired by the 1970s drivers’ suits.

The Lotus Originals collection will be exclusively launched online at www.lotusoriginals.com on February 23, 2011 to mark London Fashion Week’s Menswear Day.

Vertu Ascent Ferrari GT

Vertu and Ferrari have extended their partnership with their latest phone, the Ascent Ferrari GT. The new phone is based on their latest Ascent and was inspired by Ferrari car interiors.

The phone is made of forged titanium with a matte black PVD finish with red and black hand sewn leather of the same source as Ferrari’s interiors. The side of the phone features an enameled representation of Ferrari’s iconic engine block whilst the battery cover is ceramic. Only two thousand and eleven phones will be made and are exclusively available from Vertu.

Ferrari Tod's Driving Shoes

In a display of the finest Italian craftsmanship, Ferrari and Tod’s have come together for a co-branded driving loafer that comprises three models: Laccetto (with laces), Laccetto Tubi GT (with tassels) and the Mascherina Griglia (with a special emblem styled after the iconic Ferrari 250 GTO grille).

The loafers will available will be in black and brown suede as well as red and blue.

The insoles of the loafers are designed to resemble the seats of a Ferrari.

Bentley Estrede Sunglasses

Bentley have worked with eyewear maker Estrede to create a line of sunglasses inspired by Bentley’s cars.

The sunglasses have been designed in conjunction with Bentley’s design team in Crewe and have knurled temples matching the interior of the cars and curves inspired by the exterior of their cars. The glasses are available in palladium plated silver, gold and platinum and they can be custom engraved with the owners name and Bentley registration. The Estede for Bentley sunglasses are available exclusively from Bentley dealerships.

Lotus Evora Haiti Special Edition

In response to the horrific natural disaster that has crippled the nation of Haiti, Naomi Campbell together with Lotus Cars will be auctioning eight special edition “Naomi for Haiti” Lotus Evora sports cars, with the proceeds from the auction going to help the relief effort in Haiti.

The “Naomi for Haiti” Evora sports car has been specially designed by Lotus Design Director Donato Coco and reflects Naomi’s design direction. The bespoke styling combines the flag of Haiti with a dramatic colour scheme and the cars include a full range of options, meaning these cars will all become desirable collectors items.

The “Naomi for Haiti” Evoras will be auctioned at Naomi Campbell’s Fashion for Relief charity fashion show on the 18th of February at the London Fashion Week venue at Somerset House. The remaining “Naomi for Haiti” Evoras will be entered into an auction run on the “Naomi for Haiti” website www.naomiforhaiti.com and bidding will commence at 08:00 GMT on the 19th of February and will end at 12:00 noon GMT on 28th of February 2010.

The grand total raised for the charity and the highest bidders will be announced by Naomi Campbell at the Geneva Motorshow on the 2nd of March.

Dunhill Chassis Leather range of luggage

If you’re looking a for a bag to take on a weekend’s travelling then you’ll be pleased to hear Dunhill has released their Spring Summer 2010 Chassis leather collection.

It’s their first ever range to feature an extremely durable and scratch-proof ‘carbon fibre’ weave on matt leather. This type of material is usually reserved for the luxury motor industry so it’s a very sturdy piece of carry-on equipment.

They truly are stunning pieces, but the price point reflects this with the overnight bag retailing around the $10k mark.

A Bonny pair of cufflinks

If you want to get your hands on a limited piece of automobilia with a genuine link to royalty, then cufflinks honed from Prince Charles’ Aston Martin DB6 Volante should hold significant appeal…

The accessories will be formed from six pistons that were stripped from the Prince’s classic vehicle before it was converted to run on biofuel. Each pair will be made with 18ct gold and proceeds will be donated to the Prince’s Trust – the youth charity affiliated with the heir to the British throne.

The cufflinks will be worked by TMB ArtMetal, a London firm that specializes in creating jewellery and works of art fashioned from the parts of famous cars, trains or aeroplanes.

Meanwhile Christopher Bennett, managing director of TMB, said of their latest work: “These cufflinks are quintessential conversation pieces, with each pair directly benefiting The Prince’s Trust. When I heard about the possibility of creating such future heirlooms from the Prince’s Aston, the project was irresistible.”

One version of the cufflinks is an exact, miniature sculpture of the DB6 Volante, while the other replicates the car’s wheel “spinners” – the quick-release fixings securing its wheels.

Only 200 pairs will be made and they’ll set you back £995. Each one will come in a presentation case accompanied with a certificate of authenticity.

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG driving shoes

Post-Christmas is a funny period for automotive news – very little seems to happen until the Geneva Motor Show. However, as you can see from most of our recent news, the 3rd-Party associations are coming in thick and fast. Today sees the announcement that Italian shoemakers, Santoni, have designed a range of driving shoes for the new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG.

Santoni already make a line of shoes inspired by the Mercedes-Benz AMG range with a sole ’specifically designed to offer the most grip on AMG brake and accelerator pedals’ – yeah, sure. The shoes are said to be ‘inspired by the design of the SLS AMG interior’ and are made with leather and alcantara like the interior of the SLS AMG. Delete all the PR-speak out of their announcement, and you’re actually left with quite a nice looking shoe that I’m sure works very well pedalling your SLS, SLR or even SLK…

The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG driving shoes by Santoni are available from large Mercedes-Benz dealerships and certain stores selling Santoni shoes.

Tod's launch leather helmet to compliment expanding range

Tod’s have launched a helmet as part of their latest expansion, which has included ready to wear collections for both men and women; a larger selection of accessories and more recently, sunglasses.

All of their new lines stay true to their original and main craft which is shoe making. The Tod’s helmet is made of tough leather similar to that used for their shoes with a supple leather lining. We’ve long been admirers of the classic Tod’s driving shoe, but this helmet would be a fabulous accessory whilst driving your classic droptop Ferrari or Aston…