Virgil Abloh's Mercedes-Maybach Design Is Finally Revealed

by SHOWstudio on 1 December 2021

Honouring the late polymathic artist, Mercedes-Benz announce the creation of Virgil Abloh's Mercedes-Maybach electric show car, coinciding with Art Basel Miami Beach.

Honouring the late polymathic artist, Mercedes-Benz announce the creation of Virgil Abloh's Mercedes-Maybach electric show car, coinciding with Art Basel Miami Beach.

Earlier this winter, it was announced the late polymathic artist, architect, engineer, creative director, and fashion designer Virgil Abloh was to once again play his hand at joining forces with Mercedes-Benz, for the second time, on a Mercedes-Maybach electric show car. Initially planned to release on 1 December, purposefully coinciding with the art fair Art Basel Miami Beach. Then came Abloh's tragic passing, announced three days before on 28 November.

However, in tribute to Abloh, the show goes on. In lieu of an intimate press event, this month sees Mercedes-Benz open the doors of the Rubell Museum to showcase the unparalleled Mercedes-Maybach project. Exemplifying future design possibilities, the Mercedes-Maybach show offers a humble contribution to Abloh's astounding legacy in fashion and beyond.

The aim of the project? To guide the Maybach legacy into the the cultural zeitgeist – proving the appointment of the late Off-White founder and Louis Vuitton men's creative director a critical one. At the time of creation, Abloh commented, 'The Maybach legacy celebrates exploration, pushing creativity to new places, living outside of the status quo. In this next phase we're embracing these ideals and bringing the Mercedes-Maybach heritage into the future, inviting the next generation to join in revering this icon. Together we're entering a new age of discovery.'

Virgil Abloh for Mercedes-Benz

A unique project to Mercedes-Benz, every element of Project Maybach has been built from scratch. Working collaboratively with chief designer Gorden Wagener, Abloh interpreted Mercedes-Maybach's luxury identity by innovating a new design language that allowed him to push the boundaries of function, style, and collaborative creativity with the final result leading to the 2-seater, battery-electric off-road coupé combining huge Gran Turismo proportions, large off-road wheels and distinctive attachments.

Mercedes-Benz said in a statement:

'Mercedes-Benz is devastated to hear of the passing of Virgil Abloh. Our sincere thoughts are with Virgil's family and teams. Now opening the world of our collaboration, and Virgil's unique vision, to the public we want to respectfully celebrate the work of a truly unique design talent, who created endless possibilities for collaboration through his unbridled imagination and inspired all that knew his work.'

The power of Abloh's creation for Mercedes-Benz not only lies in the product's design, but also in their design language. Abloh always endlessly encouraged new exploratory conversations to make way for a more inclusive future, and for that reason alone, his Maybach creation will always speak volumes, whether you're a fan of Mercedes-Benz or not.

The project will be open to the general public between 1 December and 2 December and there will also be access offered exclusively to students from local design schools from 11:30 to 12:30 on 1 December.

Virgil Abloh for Mercedes-Benz

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