Ines de la Fressange teams up with DS automobiles

By

Godfrey Deeny

Published
Nov 2, 2020

Ines de la Fressange has a new ride. The French fashion icon and designer has teamed up with DS automobiles in a stylish new hatchback.

 
De la Fressange, the former muse of Karl Lagerfeld at Chanel and Marianne national symbol of French beauty, joins a rarefied club of designers who have created car collaborations, which ranges from Giorgio Armani to Virgil Abloh.
 
A limited edition named DS 3 Crossback Ines de la Fressange is available in an exclusive ink blue hue with Perla Nera black roof; with Ines Red exterior rear mirrors and on the center of alloy wheels.

“Fashion exists also for cars but saving the planet shouldn’t be a trend…Why should I dress up nicely to get in a car that looks awful? So let’s be surrounded by style and beauty that contributes to everyday happiness - French people call it petits bonheurs. Some people have dogs that look like them, I prefer to have a car that looks like my wardrobe!” de la Fressange told FashionNetwork.com.
 
After initially struggling to create a viable fashion house in her name, de la Fressange achieved major global success with her link-up with fast fashion giant Uniqlo. 
 
Formerly a division of the French automotive giant Citroen, DS became a stand-alone brand in 2015, and plans to become a full electric label by 2025. Its name DS is a play on the French word for goddess, or déesse. Its DS 3 has become the best selling premium subcompact car in Europe, with a 40% market share.
 
The DS 3 Crossback Ines de la Fressange is an attempt to combine innovative technology with French craftsmanship, including a wide range of power units like the 100% electric E-TENSE model, a concept created in the Paris region.  While its upholstery comes from weavers in the southwestern Ariège region based on woven leather techniques.
 
The partnership plans to produce just 1,500 models, each coming with a Marcia range wallet from de la Fressange, with the deliveries in France in January 2021.