Just over a week ago, at the 39th annual Festival d’Hyéres in southern France, Logan Monroe Goff won the Mercedes Benz sustainability prize for his reworked leather jackets. It was the fourth year of an unexpected partnership that has been supporting emerging talent at a time when they need It most. But it doesn’t stop there. Mercedes intends to push their creativity and remain in cultural conversations beyond the automotive world. “NIGO’s immense creative talent and our co-creation with Moncler are taking us into an exciting urban setting,” says Bettina Fetzer, Vice President of Communications & Marketing at Mercedes-Benz AG. “Going from inspiring art to engaging products marks an important step in our creative cooperation and offers a new brand experience captured by the zeitgeist.”

This past weekend at the Moncler City of Genius show in Shanghai, Mercedes Benz went a step further and unveiled a limited-edition G-Class and capsule collection in collaboration with Nigo and Moncler. “I am always influenced and inspired by things from the past,” Nigo tells me ahead of the big moment. “I enjoyed the triple collaboration and designing the car, both of which I don’t do very often.” 

The collaboration hinges on the idea that the past drives the future – there is an unbreakable bond that is both recognised and celebrated. You might remember Project Geländewagen, a collaboration between the late Virgil Abloh and Mercedes Benz Chief Design Officer Gorden Wagener, which saw the classic G-Wagon style reinterpreted with the Ablohisms we came to know and love Virgil for. This time around, Nigo’s reinterpretation of a classic found inspiration in the 90s. “For me, the 90s were among the most influential decades from a cultural and creative standpoint. Electronic music and hip-hop arose as a new expression of urban character. I wanted to Integrate that vibe and energy into the design.” 

How did this begin? Nigo told me he thinks about design first, using his knowledge and experience. Then, he’ll research and find inspiration to help guide him further. “You must use your own manual to find the way,” he tells me. But what’s next for the maestro? “I don’t always necessarily set any goals. I just take the opportunities as I am; I’m given them, and I try to go about my daily life in the same somewhat unconventional way.”

THE MINI CITY

A mini city was erected in the CSSC, a former shipbuilding venue in Shanghai’s Huangpu District along the famous Bund stretch, housing ten dedicated structures designed for and around each creative collaborator. Upon arrival, guests were whisked away by buggies to the various staged happenings. With access open to the public, a total of 8,000 guests attended the “City of Genius”, now in its fourth year. Fridges were dotted around the venue, stocked with Moncler-branded water bottles, steamed dumpling stands, and a lot of pandemonium as celebrities wove their way through excited crowds to get a glimpse of what the collaborations had to offer.

THE CAR OF THE FUTURE DRIVEN BY THE PAST

Creative Director and Fashion Designer, NIGO unveiled a one-off limited edition art piece alongside Mercedes Benz and Moncler. “Project G-Class Past II Future” takes its 90s inspiration quite literally by restoring a G-Class from the era. The redesign features an entirely removable quilted puffer jacket-inspired roof, a matte two-tone colour and a Devon Turnball-designed sound system. Only 20 will be made available to purchase in April next year.

THE CELEBRITIES AND THEIR COLLABORATIONS

This year’s collaboration featured a total of ten creative partnerships, including Nigo, Rick Owens, A$AP Rocky, Willow Smith and many more. As is typical, Owens staged a techno rave around a mini apartment pod and runway show where Anne Hathway was letting her hair down. Meanwhile, Willow excitedly explored her creation with the support of a proud Jada Smith. Willow’s models posed between weeping willow tree leaves in her concrete jungle-inspired stage. Edward Enninful explored the natural environment with a surprise appearance from Precious Lee battling it out with a wind turbine. A$AP Rocky took us in an elevator up to his makeshift studio, unveiling his collection during a runway show with Rihanna right by his side. 

THE CAPSULE COLLECTION

Alongside the limited edition car is a gender-neutral capsule collection that fuses street style, 90s references, and all things NIGO. The collection includes lightweight down and field jackets, checked shirts, and a raw denim two-piece set featuring a Benz logo zipper pull. The standout is an Orange and white satin jacket with a Mercedes Benz motif on the back and front. Dazed friend and family, Thibaut Grevet, photographed the campaign. 

The capsule collection and “Project G-Class Past II Future” car will be available to purchase from April 2025.