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Lotus To Launch Lotus Originals Apparel and Accessories

 
4 1,478 views Jan 31, 2011

2013 Lotus Esprit Concept

Hey, even if you don't drive a Lotus, now you can look like you do--thanks to the company's new lifestyle brand, Lotus Originals.The idea is to attract more mainstream attention to the marque as it broadens its automotive offerings as we reported from the Paris Auto Show last fall.

Essentially, the company is trying to capture the spirit of the brand in a range of apparel and accessories. Happily, for those who might like the style, but would rather not be walking billboards, the branding is very subtle on some of the pieces, allowing the style and quality to shine.

Naturally, the racing and sports car aspect of the Lotus mystique is recalled in the collection's styling. Some pieces are textured to signify tire treads, other designs reflect racetrack markings. Block color numbers recall the dates of famous Lotus racing victories of the 1960s and '70s, as well as 1948--the year Lotus founder Colin Chapman built the first Lotus car.

The finest materials available are used, 100% cashmere for the sweaters and sensuously soft hand-treated leather for jackets inspired by 1970s racing drivers' suits.

A range of lifestyle accessories is included as well. No range of auto inspired lifestyle gear would be complete without calfskin leather driving gloves, in this case available in tan, black, Lotus green and bright yellow. A luggage collection is handcrafted in tan leather or lightweight canvas.Other items include gaming sets in lacquered carbon fiber, leather wallets, belts and luxury desk accessories.

The line will be launched on the 'Net on February 23 at LotusOriginals.com. A London flagship store featuring Lotus lifestyle products is slated to open toward the end of 2011.





 
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Comments (4)

  1. fb_602356850 avatar Martin Smith Posted: 2/1/2011 8:27am PST

    I'm not really into car merchandising, but I'd reserve a place for this gear in my wardrobe. Even if they are Malaysian.
     
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  2. By LB45 Posted: 2/1/2011 9:39am PST

    Lifestyle brand? What a load of puke.
    More like "Merchandise for Wannabes".
     
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  3. By CyrusEM Posted: 2/1/2011 2:28pm PST

    Lotus is trying to follow the Ferrari (overdone), Porsche (usually cool and unusual) and Aston Martin brands which make a LOT of money on accessories and merchandising. Lotus is known but by a much smaller group of enthousiats. They are popular because they are unique and rare. Like Ferrari they will slowly but surely loose their cachet if they don't manage this right... I wish them luck but they are missing the Colin Chapman tradition with too many cars and too much weight!
     
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  4. fb_1035995861 avatar Lyndon Bell Posted: 2/1/2011 5:18pm PST

    It's a tough line to walk, but fact is Ferrari makes more money on the brand than it does on the cars. People have a need to be associated with the things they think are cool and the gear is pretty slick.
     
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