Mercedes-Benz has seen some exciting collaborations over the years, including examples like its “Project Maybach” with the late Virgil Abloh, Will.i.am’s “WILL.I.AMG” and sustainable fashion capsule with Heron Preston. This very same excitement and creativity is present in the automotive brand’s latest offering, a collaboration between Tokyo-based designer sacai and Mercedes-AMG.
In a blend of automotive heritage and innovative fashion design, the two brands have come together to produce a capsule collection as well as a bespoke wrap for the all-new Mercedes-AMG GT. Notably, the collaboration marks sacai’s entry into the luxury automotive sector, an exciting evolution for the brand.
Inspirations for the collaboration are drawn from Mercedes-AMG’s iconic first race car, the Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.8 AMG — better known as the “Red Pig.” Its story is one of unexpected success in the 1971 24 Hours of Spa race, where it defied expectations as an underdog, an aspect that serves as the creative foundation for the collection.
Embracing this automotive heritage, sacai has reinterpreted the Red Pig’s motifs through its lens, with elements of its decals showing up on a variety of items in the collection. One of the most notable pieces includes a varsity-style jacket that features an “S” logo at the chest, presumably for sacai, as well as woven patches in the same color and shapes found on the Red Pig. Another more subtle nod to the vehicle and its livery is a military-esque bomber jacket dressed in a single shade of green with cuffs and a collar in a complementary shade.
Other notable items in the collection include variants of the varsity jacket, as well as a co-branded one-piece jumpsuit, with more apparel items as well as accessories to be revealed as the collection goes live later today, November 15, via AMG Speed City in Las Vegas and online at Nordstrom.
“Our approach to design with purpose at sacai is to always explore the quintessential forms and create something new. The purest intention is to start from the archetype, which also applies to collaborations, working with the original and the best in its respective fields,” shared sacai’s lead designer and founder Chitose Abe, adding “AMG is a true symbol of our intention, and this encounter comes with the deepest respect and admiration for our mutual understanding of innovative quality and pure elegance.”
As for its bespoke wrap on the all-new Mercedes-AMG GT, sacai tapped into the very same decal inspiration and much like the bomber jacket, expressed nods to the Red Pig in a subtle “IYKYK” fashion, with embossed shapes of the original decals present and presented in a mirrored-chrome finish.
“AMG and sacai sit at the intersection of luxury and performance in their respective fields, and we are thrilled to see the collaboration come to life in a way that feels authentic to both brands’ DNA: innovative, disruptive and unique. Our customers are connoisseurs, and the creation of bold brand experiences and one-of-a-kind luxury products, such as sacai x AMG, is at the heart of our brand,” shared Michael Schiebe, Mercedes-AMG’s CEO.
In related news, RM Sotheby’s is set to auction off a rare Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series Project One edition.
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