As one of the world’s most recognizable cars edges toward retirement, Paul Smith has designed a one-off bespoke version of the archetypal 4×4 – the Land Rover Defender.
Using a palette of 27 individual colours, Paul Smith has created a typically vibrant and utterly unique version of the Defender that nods to the cars impeccable service history with the Army, Navy and Airforce. The colours also reference the Defender’s ties to British countryside, for which it has been a symbol and ambassador for the past 60 years.
“I wanted deep, rich colours, but at the same time, I wanted them to work together yet be surprising“, says Paul Smith.
Design elements used in the Defender also tie into other recent collaborations, as Paul explains: “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. My designs are known for their attention to detail, so I didn’t want this Defender to be any different.”
With production of the Land Rover Defender due to end in December of this year, this is a fitting tribute to one of the world’s most loved vehicles. And a hell of a goodbye, really.
The Paul Smith x Land Rover Defender is being launched at the Paul Smith flagship shop on Mayfair’s Albemarle Street now by Paul Smith and Land Rover’s Chief Creative Officer Gerry McGovern, who helped to bring this special collaboration to fruition.
