Toyota has tapped in Jun Takahashi's fashion house, Undercover, to present a limited edition of the Aygo X city car. The collaboration is unique in that it marks the first time Toyota has worked with a fashion house. The combined effort has resulted in the Aygo X Undercover model, a new icon of subversive spirit that pushes the boundaries of traditional car design through a non-conformist design philosophy. First premiered at Paris Fashion Week in conjunction with the Undercover Fall/Winter 2023 show, the vehicle boasts Jun Takahashi's, non-conformist philosophy present throughout the vehicles unique design interiors and exteriors – bi-tone grey body and coral red accents.
The Aygo – Toyota’s most accessible car since its first launch back in 2005 –, has attracted a number of style-conscious buyers due to the vehicles youthful and fun character. Releasing in just 5,000 cars, the special Takahashi-designed vehicle has elevated the Aygo’s status to a must-have for those seeking to express their individuality.
Tadao Mori, Toyota Motor Europe’s Head of Styling Design, noted that working with a fashion house was different from their normative ideas, pushing Toyota to consider new approaches to the design and engineering process. An exciting journey for Toyota, the collaboration has welcomed the opportunity to explore new ways of looking at colour and ideas for making everyday details more interesting and unexpected.
When talking about the collaboration Jun Takahashi has expressed that working alongside Toyota was a profound experience, “It was my first experience working on a car and with Toyota being such a prestigious and innovative Japanese brand, it came with deep emotional meaning and significance,” he said. “Fusing together two contradicting elements, or worlds, is exciting for me. Both the materials and how we supplied the colours differ completely from clothing collaborations. Cityscapes inspire colours that feel typically Undercover, blending in with everyday life but questioning convention if you look below the surface. I believe we have a design that is still very much Undercover while working in harmony with the city. I drive my own car every day and recognise the significance colour can have.”
Tadao Mori, Toyota Motor Europe’s Head of Styling Design, noted that working with a fashion house was different from their normative ideas, pushing Toyota to consider new approaches to the design and engineering process. An exciting journey for Toyota, the collaboration has welcomed the opportunity to explore new ways of looking at colour and ideas for making everyday details more interesting and unexpected.
When talking about the collaboration Jun Takahashi has expressed that working alongside Toyota was a profound experience, “It was my first experience working on a car and with Toyota being such a prestigious and innovative Japanese brand, it came with deep emotional meaning and significance,” he said. “Fusing together two contradicting elements, or worlds, is exciting for me. Both the materials and how we supplied the colours differ completely from clothing collaborations. Cityscapes inspire colours that feel typically Undercover, blending in with everyday life but questioning convention if you look below the surface. I believe we have a design that is still very much Undercover while working in harmony with the city. I drive my own car every day and recognise the significance colour can have.”
