RALPH LAUREN | The Art of the Automobile Exhibition

RALPH LAUREN

Ralph Lauren Collection Unveiled at the Louvre

Ralph Lauren has consistently drawn inspiration from the aesthetic beauty of automobiles in his creations. His car collection, renowned as the world's finest for its beauty, rarity, and pristine condition, is currently on display within the Palace of Versailles. The exhibition has less than a month remaining.

By Dai Matsuo

A Debut at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs

Ralph Lauren has long infused every element of his collections with automotive design, using cars as a source of inspiration. His collection is celebrated as one of the world's foremost automotive assemblages, distinguished by the rarity of its vehicles, their exceptional preservation, and, above all, the inherent beauty in the design of each individual car.

This collection, spanning from the 1930s to contemporary supercars, is now being showcased in Europe for the first time at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs within the Palace of Versailles in Paris.

The exhibition, "The Art of the Automobile," is under the comprehensive production of the globally acclaimed French modern architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte, with curator Rodolphe Rapetti selecting the featured vehicles.

A Gathering of Rare Automobiles!

The seventeen selected vehicles include:BentleyBlower (1929),Ferrari250 Testa Rossa (1958), Jaguar XKD (1955), and others.The RALPH LAUREN Automotive watch, unveiled at the 2011 SIHH Geneva Salon,was inspired by the design of theBugatti57 SC Atlantic Coupé (1938), one of only four ever produced. This exhibition brings together a remarkable collection of rare models.

RALPH LAUREN "The Art of the Automobile" Exhibition | 01

The core concept of this exhibition is to reassert that automobiles are "a grand art pursued by the world's most distinguished manufacturers." The beauty derived from their mechanical structures—the materials, the integrated design, the curves and decorative elements, the precision that yields efficiency—is palpable from the first glance at the collection.

Here, we introduce a selection of the cars on display.

Bentley Blower (1929)
©Michael Furman

Bentley Blower (1929)
Designed by W.O. Bentley, it was named "Blower" because the Bentley factory team driver Sir Hilary Birkin equipped it with a supercharger. The Union Jack adorning its large body was a statement of its purpose: to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans race. It achieved victory in 1928, and author Ian Fleming featured it as Bond's car in "007."

Mercedes-Benz SSK “Comte Trossi” (1930)
Its shark-like appearance was the design of Count Trossi, a racer and Italian nobleman. Painted in gloss black, it was known as the "Black Prince."

Mercedes-Benz SSK “Comte Trossi”
©Michael Furman

Bugatti 57 SC Atlantic Coupé (1938)
©Michael Furman

Bugatti 57 SC Atlantic Coupé (1938)
Only four were manufactured, and just two still exist; Ralph Lauren owns one of them. It is characterized by its distinctive fins and mudguards, and its aerodynamic oval side windows and front windshield cutouts extending to the roof are also striking.

Ferrari 375 Plus (1954)
This beautiful streamlined form was created by highly skilled engineers under the guidance of Pininfarina. This model won the 24 Hours of Le Mans race in 1954.

Jaguar XKD (1955)
Jaguar achieved three consecutive victories in the 24 Hours of Le Mans from 1955 to 1957, and also won the Nürburgring race. The XKD was the most victorious model during this period. In 1964, driver Patricia Coundley set the record for the fastest female driver. Its shape, reminiscent of a jet aircraft, ranges from its auxiliary wings to the elegantly curved bonnet.

Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing Coupé (1955)
A legendary masterpiece, sought after by celebrities worldwide.

Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa (1958)
This Testa Rossa was created by Sergio Scaglietti, one of Ferrari's most accomplished coachbuilders. The name, meaning "red head," comes from the red-painted cam covers used to distinguish it from earlier engines.

"The Art of the Automobile" Exhibition
Dates: April 28 (Thursday) - August 28 (Sunday), 2011
Venue: Musée des Arts Décoratifs (Paris Museum of Decorative Arts)
http://www.lesartsdecoratifs.fr/