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Lotus Cars, the sportscar manufacturer, and Gieves & Hawkes, the
Savile Row tailor, have conspired to form two of the most fashionable
accessories for the modern day spy. The collaboration of the British
brands is part of Truly British at Harrods, which runs until 15
October, showcasing the best this country has to offer, revelling in
the fascinating melting pot of cultures that makes Britain Great.
Creating the ultimate vehicle for the secret agent demands a flair for
creativity and a passion for engineering the latest innovations,
therefore making Lotus the perfect candidate. With proven experience
from the Lotus Esprit, made famous for its starring role in a couple
of the James Bond films such as the "The Spy Who Loved Me", the Lotus
Design Team led by Chief Designer, Russell Carr, was able to develop
the one-off Lotus Exige "Espionage."
Based on the standard 189 hp Lotus Exige, the coupé sportscar combines
the elegant sophistication of the Gieves & Hawkes collection with the
engineering ingenuity and style of the high performance
trackcar-for-the road. Complementing the Gieves & Hawkes-designed
bespoke classic navy pin striped Spy Suit, the Lotus Exige features a
navy exterior and a central white pinstripe flash. Inside the car, the
design philosophy has been extended to the seat upholstery (squab and
cushion), door inserts and dashboard, using the same Gieves & Hawkes
pinstripe wool cloth used in the Spy Suit.
Silk, used in the lining of the suit has been used to clad the back of
the seats. The interior also boasts tailor-made leather floormats with
"eyelet" detailing, taking cues from the classic shoes worn by the
ultimate English secret agent.
Commenting on the unique Lotus and Gieves & Hawkes partnership, Clive
Dopson, Managing Director of Lotus Cars, explains, "In this
prestigious celebration of British lifestyle and culture, it has been
an exciting opportunity to change the rules, combining the style and
elegance of fashion with the interior design of a high performance
sportscar. To be associated with a fashion collection such as Gieves &
Hawkes, synonymous with a rich tailoring heritage, has provided a
unique platform for the demonstration of the design qualities which
make Lotus cars such an exciting and special driving experience."
The Lotus Exige "Espionage" and Gieves & Hawkes Spy Suit will be on
display in The British Tailoring Room, on Ground at Harrods, until 15
October, 2005. Following the high level of interest, the one-off Lotus
Exige "Espionage" is to be retailed at the on the road price of
£39,995 following the event.
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