Last Sunday, we were confronted with the devastating news of Virgil Abloh. A creative visionary, Abloh single-handedly turned streetwear into haute couture, passed away after a silent battle with cancer and it’s clear that the industry, the internet and former collaborators are still grieving with the sudden loss. To honour his legacy and visions, Mercedes-Benz presents Project MAYBACH in homage to the designer of their final collaboration.
Project MAYBACH, Mercedes-Maybach and Virgil Abloh, 2021. Image Courtesy of Mercedes-Benz.
Abloh who once stated, “everything I do is for the 17-year-old version of myself” in his interview with SLEEK back in 2016, has designed an exclusive electric show car that is set to inspire future generations. The car, which measures almost 6 metres long, exhibits the possibilities of future design aesthetics.
Project MAYBACH, Mercedes-Maybach and Virgil Abloh, 2021. Image Courtesy of Mercedes-Benz.
“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” states the Mercedes-Benz AG.
Project MAYBACH is in true Virgil Abloh fashion, built from scratch. It is the result of a collaboration between the artist and Gordon Wagner, which developed a completely new language and conversation around Mercedes-Benz’ luxury identity. Inspired by the great outdoors, a responsible approach to the future of design, and the desire to re-contextualise modern luxury – the 2-seater electric fuelled off-road coupe is not only a car for the future, it’s for the visionaries of tomorrow.
Project MAYBACH, Mercedes-Maybach and Virgil Abloh, 2021. Image Courtesy of Mercedes-Benz.