Carrying Virgil Abloh's legacy with Mercedes-Maybach
Earlier this month, Mercedes-Maybach revealed the result of a cooperation with the late artist, fashion designer and creative director Virgil Abloh titled Project-Maybach. The design collaboration between Abloh and Mercedes-Benz Chief Design Officer Gorden Wagener took place in 2021, and culminated in a limited-edition bespoke S-Class vehicle as well as a capsule collection.
The vehicle was finalised before the OffWhite™ founder and creator passed away in November 2021, with only 150 units being sold. The launch coincides with the release of the capsule collection in partnership with OffWhite™, which is now available for sale.
“I’m incredibly proud of the work we have created in collaboration with Virgil. The limited edition Maybach by Virgil Abloh exemplifies the symbiosis between innovative design and ultimate craftsmanship now available on the road.” – Gorden Wagener, Chief Design Officer at Mercedes-Benz
The design
The fully equipped Mercedes-Maybach S-Class S680 is a continuation of the company’s dedication to redefining luxury experiences. The vehicle, created by Mercedes Benz’ customization and craftsmanship team, features a unique two-tone exterior created specifically for Project Maybach.
The interior was designed with the same two-tone colour scheme, with the seats, steering wheel, doors and ceiling lined in black and sand coloured nappa leather complete with sand coloured decor trims and strips. On the middle of the centre-console, rear cushions, head restraints and door sill panel, you will find the special Mercedes-Maybach and Virgil Abloh logo.
The technology
In contrast to the original show car, which was designed as an electric vehicle, the MercedesMaybach SClass is equipped with a petrol engine.
One of the more unique features of the S-Class is its bespoke user interface – its cutting-edge technologies and enhanced visual design elements were integrated to create an intuitive vehicle that exudes distinctive style from exterior to interior.
Virgil Abloh
Born in 1980, Abloh was a true artist and jack of all trades. On top of his highly successful fashion brand OffWhite™, he was also a Men’s Artistic Director at Louis Vuitton, and a successful architect and musician. The Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago presented a major travelling survey of Abloh’s work in 2019, which was one of the highest attended exhibitions in the museum’s history.
“Teaming up with Virgil for Project MAYBACK was a unique and inspiring journey on MercedesBenz’ idea of Zeitgeist, co-creation and contemporary luxury,” – Bettina Fetzer, Vice President Communications at MercedesBenz AG
The OffWhite capsule collection, designed by Abloh, features the same colour scheme as the car and consists of t-shirts, hoodies, jumpers, racing gloves and more. The collection is exclusively available to buy on OffWhite™ , Farfetch, Maybach Icons of Luxury online stores, as well as OffWhite™ stores in select markets.
This collaboration was a defining moment for the German company for a future we hope will be filled with more intersections of fashion, art and automotive.
Pictures: Mercedes-Benz