Following last year’s successful start of the cooperation between Mercedes‑AMG and the British skateboard and streetwear brand Palace, this creative cooperation is entering its second round. While past year’s presentation as part of the 24‑hour race at the Nürburgring focussed on the motorsport theme of the first joint Capsule Collection, the focus now moves from the racetrack to the street, and the lifestyle in our major cities. This is also emphasised by the four Art Cars from the Mercedes‑AMG product portfolio that accompany the sales launch of the collection. The one‑off examples, each with an individual design, are inspired by the cosmopolitan flair of London, Los Angeles, New York and Tokyo, the locations of the four Palace flagship stores. The new collection is accompanied by the campaign “Affalterbach to the world”, which – with a healthy dose of self-irony – puts the rather tranquil home of Mercedes‑AMG on a par with the four pulsating metropolises.
Exclusivity hand in hand with an unconventional outlook on life – this is what connects Mercedes‑AMG and the skateboard and streetwear brand Palace, with an aesthetic appeal that is a new departure in the sports and fashion world. In addition, high‑performance sports cars and street skateboarding have some basic characteristics in common: in both areas, it’s all about performance and speed; adrenaline and coolness form an unbeatable combination. Last year, the two companies launched their collaboration with the first co-branded collection of apparel and accessories to be designed by Palace together with a car brand. The kick‑off took place on the occasion of the legendary “Nürburgring 24 Hours”, where a GT3 racing car from the Mercedes‑AMG Team HRT with a Palace-designed vehicle livery lined up for the start.
Mercedes‑AMG and Palace Skateboards are now continuing the well-tried combination of stylish clothing and trendy accessories with spectacularly designed cars following the same theme. To mark the sales launch of the new collection, four standard Mercedes‑AMG models have been transformed into unique Art Cars. When creating their designs, Lev Tanju, the founder of Palace Skateboards, and his design team were inspired by the atmosphere of the flagship store locations: the world metropolises of London, Los Angeles, New York and Tokyo. The Art Cars pick up motifs that can also be found in the 23‑piece collection.
The trousers, hoodies, jackets, T‑shirts, gilets as well as beanies and caps are stylistically oriented towards a ‘motor mechanic’ look. The collection celebrates this style as everyday fashion that is not just for functional purposes. Going on sale on 25 March 2022, 12:00 CET, all pieces will be available at Palace’s four flagship stores as well as online at palaceskateboards.com.
Flair of the metropolises as inspiration for the designers
With the design of the four Art Cars, Lev Tanju and his design team pay homage to the four metropolises of London, Los Angeles, New York and Tokyo and their very own flair. Each vehicle pays tribute to the specific city’s special features with its title and various artistic details.
- Mercedes-AMG A 45 S1 PALACE Edition/”Tiger London”: The bold, multicolor paintwork, the large head of a white tiger on the hood and the large AMG emblem on the sides of the car pay homage to the vibrant and diverse custom car scene in the UK in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s.
- Mercedes-AMG SL 63 PALACE Edition/”Sunset LA”: With paintwork that shimmers between bright yellow and deep red, the 2+2-seater roadster represents the perpetual Californian summer.
- Mercedes-AMG GT 63 PALACE Edition/”Neon Fade New York”: The color scheme, which transitions from black to neon yellow, represents the two sides of the megacity on the Hudson River. “The city that never sleeps” delivers a fascinating contrast between the city streets and bright lights.
- Mercedes-AMG G 63 PALACE Edition/”Space Horse Tokyo”: The horse galloping through space on the vehicle’s flank pays tribute to the fantasy culture so popular in Japan.
