PROJECT MONDO G recreates the iconic Mercedes-Benz G-Class with the distinctive design codes of Moncler by merging the characteristic G-Class features with Moncler’s puffer jacket. As a premier, the art piece was unveiled at the Moncler “The Art of Genius” show during London Fashion Week today. Hosted by Moncler, Mercedes-Benz is lined-up with brands and artists, such as Alicia Keys, Pharrell Williams, Adidas Originals, FRGMT, Salehe Bembury, Palm Angels, and ROC NATION by Jay-Z. Moncler unleashes a new vision for Moncler Genius through an immersive live event at Olympia London. Transforming its collaboration model into a platform for co-creation across diverse new industries including art, technology, sport, music, and design.
Mercedes-Benz and Moncler share a passion for innovation, concise design language, and a first-mover approach to cross-cultural collaborations. These values and attributes define both partners, who now came together to showcase the creative opportunities and where the merging of the two brands’ worlds can take you. The theme “Art of Imagination” is an inspirational message to dream big and to explore their own firsts: breaking new ground, putting the impossible within reach, and discovering without limits. The collaborative art piece PROJECT MONDO G marks Moncler’s first automotive partnership.
“We are very excited about collaborating with Moncler to create another ‘X-factor brand moment’. At Mercedes-Benz, we are committed to engaging in culture and society. Our co-creation with Moncler offers an unexpected experience for both brands. This debut collaboration with Moncler opens new horizons and potential opportunities for more news to come soon.”
Britta Seeger, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, responsible for Marketing & Sales
PROJECT MONDO G: Iconic art
The exclusive collaboration of Mercedes-Benz and Moncler-designed art piece merges the characteristic features of the iconic Mercedes-Benz off-roader G-Class with the style-defining Moncler puffer jacket. Building a spectacular contrast with the angular design of the G-Class and the soft, flowing lines of the quilted textile. Unmistakable and inimitable with functionality at their core, both functional products have developed into lifestyle items of luxurious value over the past decades. The fusion of opposites gives rise to a sculptural object: PROJECT MONDO G invites you to experience the transformation of a formerly pure utility-focused object into a design. Its impressive dimensions are 4.6 m in length, 2.8 m in height, 3.4 m in width (with wheels), and 2.5 tons in weight.
A closer look reveals further characteristic features that have a concrete connection to the original products and additionally create exciting contrasts: the rough patina is the visible trace of use, which refers to functionality and practicality. This forms the visual counterpoint to the perfect, high-gloss reflective surfaces that underpin the claim to luxury. Nor is it by chance that the PROJECT MONDO G bears the huge zipper, another deliberately striking and eye-catching element. The zipper is a practical reference to the versatility and variability of both products, vehicles, and jackets.
“The collaboration with Moncler inspired us to create a real iconic sculpture on wheels – a very bold design statement: our PROJECT MONDO G. Based on our design philosophy Sensual Purity, this art piece merges extremely contrasting forms and surfaces: spacecraft shiny materials with a used patina look; strong geometry of the G-Class with organic forms of Moncler puffer jackets. Two strong luxury brands offer an extraordinary new experience by combining the automotive and fashion worlds united in one piece. Because of the over-dimensional and exaggerated language of forms, it’s polarizing art to set new impulses and trends.”
Gorden Wagener, Chief Design Officer Mercedes-Benz Group AG
Born in 1979, the Mercedes-Benz G-Class roots are embedded in the exploration of tough terrains and in the industrial or municipal sector. Mercedes-Benz entered uncharted territory in 1979 with the G-Class. The off‑road vehicle was designed on the one hand as a means of transport with extreme off-road capabilities and an emphasis on leisure, and on the other for tough everyday use, for example, in the industrial or municipal sector. A continuous advancement process began shortly after its market launch. That is the key to the lasting success of the G – an icon of its own.
The “Art of Imagination” campaign
PROJECT MONDO G is the hero show car of the campaign that accompanies the Mercedes-Benz and Moncler co-creation with social media, out-of-home (OOH), and PR assets for a broad global activation. The visualization stages an otherworldly winter landscape inspired by the main themes of outdoor durability and limitless discovery opportunities with the off-roader G-Class as the basis of PROJECT MONDO G and the puffer jacket of Moncler. The look and feel is an imaginary universe with low gravity that interprets the art piece with fashionable moments by models wearing conceptual looks designed with Moncler collection items. The campaign set design mirrors the art piece reveal at the “The Art of Genius” show presenting the ability of the G-Class and the Moncler puffer jacket to withstand even the harshest conditions. The campaign was lensed by the recognized director and photographer Thibaut Grevet.