Mercedes-Benz celebrates 40 years of airbags in their cars with fashion collection
Mercedes-Benz unveils a new conceptual clothing collection, created in collaboration with American designer Heron Preston that combines the innovation of airbags and sustainability in fashion design.Paying homage to the patent of the airbag which celebrates its 50th anniversary and the 40th anniversary of its use in its passenger cars, Mercedes-Benz and designer Heron Preston have teamed up for a unique sustainable materials collaboration. The conceptual looks are made of recycled and upcycled airbag materials and have been turned into exclusive merchandise which will be available via a giveaway on the global platform GOAT from September 10th.
For the collection, Preston has turned the humble airbag into three forward-thinking men’s and womenswear looks including jackets, pants, shirts and even a bag. The functionality of the airbag is also mirrored through the collection’s ability to inflate and deflate the upcycled materials from Mercedes-Benz passenger cars.
Preston’s label has been recognised for its luxury spin on workwear and has focused on incorporating less environmentally destructive practices since the launch of the label in 2016. Today, the brand is amongst just a few in the streetwear space that prioritises sustainability and through its RE-DESIGN program, create one-of-a-kind pieces from re-used materials.
“Mercedes-Benz and my brand share a common value of reducing our impact on the planet, and that was the starting point of the co-operation”, says Heron Preston. “Upcycling and celebrating sustainability have been my earliest approaches to design, since launching my collection, and I loved lensing a celebration of the airbags anniversary in this way to create a beautiful collection from recovered materials alongside some of their most advanced fleet of fuel-efficient and electric vehicles. Mercedes-Benz is an iconic brand which has such a stronghold on culture - and me being fascinated with culture and someone who shapes it – the partnership felt both exciting and natural.”
Almost 50 years ago in October 1971, the airbag was first patented and changed the automotive industry forever. Today, the airbag is an integral safety feature for cars globally. Mercedes-Benz also celebrates an anniversary with 2021 being 40 years since the introduction of the airbag into its cars, with the brand holding the title of the first car manufacturer to do so.
Related: The history of the crash test dummy
Related: Five cars that offer vegan-friendly or sustainable interiors
Related: When worlds collide: Three recent collabs between automakers and fashion brands
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
