A high-profile partnership between Mercedes-Benz, Moncler, and Japanese designer NIGO unveils a unique collection blending 80s and 90s vintage style with modern streetwear, alongside a limited-edition G-Class model and collectible Hot Wheels replica, showcased at the flagship Mercedes-Benz Manhattan dealership.
A high-profile collaboration between Mercedes-Benz, Moncler, and renowned Japanese designer NIGO culminated in a collection launch and exclusive vehicle handover event in Manhattan. The fusion of 1980s and 1990s vintage aesthetics with contemporary lifestyle fashion is now available for purchase globally, marking a unique blend of automotive design and streetwear culture.
The launch event took place at Mercedes-Benz of Manhattan, a flagship dealership and longstanding pillar of the New York and Tri-State automotive community for more than seven decades. This newly renovated, expansive 330,000-square-foot facility on Manhattan’s West Side boasts the cutting-edge EVolution showroom concept, designed to enhance the customer experience through personalized digital engagement, strategic brand partnerships, and curated inventory. Bettina Fetzer, Vice President of Mercedes-Benz Digital & Communications at Mercedes-Benz AG, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating, “We’re thrilled to unveil our co-created fashion collection, blending Moncler’s luxury with Mercedes-Benz’s iconic design, all enhanced by NIGO’s creative genius.”
The collection draws from the histories and design languages of all three collaborators. Moncler, founded in 1952 in Grenoble, France, and now headquartered in Italy, is well known for combining mountain performance with urban style. Moncler’s outerwear technology and craftsmanship complement Mercedes-Benz’s legacy of luxury automotive engineering. NIGO, credited as a pioneer in streetwear fashion since launching his first clothing line in Tokyo in 1993, brought a personal vision inspired by his lifelong engagement with music and style. His work as a cultural connector is visible in the collection’s gender-neutral designs that juxtapose G-Class vehicle motifs with vintage Americana elements such as varsity jackets, hoodies, and checked shirts, reflecting a strong undercurrent of 80s and 90s Americana.
Special highlights from the collection include a Moncler puffer jacket featuring the Mercedes-Benz three-pointed star and heritage Moncler font lettering on base layers. Prints and embroidery incorporate the G-Class motif, while photographic outdoor scenes from Moncler’s archives are reimagined for urban wear. The collection is available at select Moncler stores worldwide—including locations in New York, London, Paris, and Beijing—and online at moncler.com.
Complementing the fashion launch was the debut of the limited-edition Mercedes-Benz G-Class Past II Future model, produced in a run of only 20 units. Inspired by NIGO’s original Project G-Class Past II Future art piece, this special edition is based on the new G 450 d and G 550 models. It features a distinctive two-tone green and grey exterior, signature checkered upholstery, and a rear-mounted spare wheel cover emblazoned with the collaboration’s logo. Black accents highlight the window frames, alloy wheels, and bumper guard, reinforcing a modern yet classic aesthetic.
Further celebrating the collaboration, a 1:64 scale die-cast replica of the Project G-Class Past II Future was created in partnership with Hot Wheels. This collectible miniature, crafted with rubber tires and precise detail, has already sold out due to strong demand from automotive and fashion enthusiasts alike.
NIGO reflected on the inspiration behind the project, stating, “I always refer to the past. In Japan, there is a saying that goes: Learn from the past to create something new.” His remarks underscore the synergy between the brands’ histories and skills.
The Mercedes-Benz of Manhattan event and concomitant releases highlight a multi-dimensional collaboration at the crossroads of luxury automotive innovation, technical fashion craftsmanship, and contemporary urban culture.
Source: Noah Wire Services
