- Defender fan and owner, Sir Paul Smith, collaborates with Land Rover on a 'one off' creation of the global automotive icon
- Bespoke Defender features hand‑finished artwork, specially crafted by Land Rover's Special Vehicle Operations
- Sir Paul Smith's Defender features colours inspired by the British countryside and Defenders used by the Armed Forces, as well as playful design details chosen specifically by the designer
London, UK, March 20 2015 ‑ British designer, Sir Paul Smith has collaborated with Land Rover to create a bespoke Defender, which was revealed today at the designer's shop at No. 9 Albemarle Street in Mayfair.
A longstanding fan of the Land Rover Defender, Sir Paul Smith has owned several of the vehicles over the years. "The Defender is a British icon, which is something I'm exceptionally proud of," says Paul. "I keep a Defender at my home in Italy which is in the middle of the countryside, so it's the perfect vehicle to cope with the rugged terrain."
Paul Smith worked closely with Land Rover's Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) design team ‑ which is able to fulfil individual customer commissions and personalisation. Together they created a unique vehicle, built entirely to Paul Smith's own specification. With guidance from Land Rover's Design Director and Chief Creative Officer, Gerry McGovern, he was able to realise his uniquely personal version of a global automotive icon.
The vehicle features 27 different colours used on the exterior panels, all of which were chosen by Sir Paul Smith. Taking inspiration from the British countryside, as well as colours historically seen on Defenders used by the Armed Forces, he says, "I wanted deep rich colours, but at the same time, I wanted them to work together yet be surprising." In order to achieve the look he wanted, Paul gave the SVO team a set of Pantone colour references, which were then mixed specially for this vehicle.
Further adding to the vehicle's bespoke design, Paul worked with Land Rover to ensure that the interior stayed true to his vision. "This is a complete one‑off; I wanted to give this Defender a feeling of luxury, so I used a mix of leather and fabric for the seats. I actually used the fabric that I design for Maharam, the American upholstery company. The vehicle features lots of special Paul Smith touches.
"Inside, black leather contrasts against blue stitching and there are lots of little hidden details throughout. For example, there is an image of a set of keys printed inside the glove compartment. Then there is a hand‑painted bee on the roof, which is another little tongue‑in‑cheek reference to the countryside and the heritage of the car. Also, the traditional Defender clock has been replaced with a Paul Smith fascia. My designs are known for their attention to detail, so I didn't want this Defender to be any different."
While Paul has added many playful and personal touches, the Defender retains traditional elements, such as the wing mirrors, door handles and wheels ‑ something that was of paramount importance to the designer. These were then given a satin finish, to create a contemporary feel.
Gerry McGovern, Design Director and Chief Creative Officer of Land Rover, adds: "I felt it would be a fitting tribute to the iconic Defender, that one of Britain's most distinguished designers worked with the Land Rover team to recognise his creative vision."
This exclusive Defender joins together two icons from the British automotive and design industries and forms part of a year‑long celebration of the famous Defender as it enters its final phase of production at the Solihull manufacturing plant.
ENDS
For further information log onto www.uk.media.landrover.com or contact:
Kim Palmer
Public Relations
Manager, Land Rover UK
T: 02476
564 129
M: 07795
666 169
E:
kpalmer@landrover.com
Tracey
Tompsett
Senior
Press Officer, Land Rover UK
M: 07469
032 064
E:
ttompset@landrover.com
Jessica
Rumboll
Press
Officer, Land Rover UK
T: 02476
564 258
M: 07880
177 300
E:
jrumboll@landrover.com
Editors Note:
‑ Since 1948 Land Rover has been manufacturing authentic 4x4s that represent true breadth of capability across the model range. Defender, Discovery Sport, Discovery, Range Rover Sport, Range Rover and Range Rover Evoque each define the world's 4x4 sectors. Land Rover products are currently sold in approximately 180 global markets.
About Jaguar Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations
‑ Jaguar Land Rover's Special Vehicle Operations deliver high performance and luxury halo vehicles for discerning and enthusiast customers. SVO also produces low volume, high value limited edition models for both brands and undertakes personalisation and bespoke commissions.
Paul Smith in 25 words
‑ Paul Smith is Britain's foremost designer. He is renowned for his creative aesthetic that combines tradition with modernity.
Paul Smith extended
‑ Paul Smith is Britain's foremost designer. He is renowned for his creative spirit which combines tradition and modernity. Famous for its clothing and accessories collections, Paul Smith specialises in an inventive use of traditional craftsmanship and cutting edge design to create beautifully made, desirable, modern pieces.
‑ Paul Smith is a tastemaker ‑ a leader of British and international design trends. With an enthusiasm for eclectic cultural references and idiosyncratic combinations, applied with understatement Paul Smith expresses a truly contemporary aesthetic.
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