Object Number: AMHT-2019-120
Object Type: Marketing brochure
Object Description: Large purple leather ‘Q by Aston Martin’ brochure
They say that February is the month of love, and I am certainly loving this recent discovery from my travels around the Collection stacks.
This book is produced by Aston Martin’s bespoke design department “Q”. It subtly whispers “open me”. Not only is it bound in purple leather, itself an eye-catching look, but the leather edge straps add to the mystery of what might be inside the pages. If you’re not already curious, then “Q by Aston Martin” is emblazoned in silver on the front cover. If it’s “Q” related, then you know it’s going to look great.
Once the cover is open, you are greeted with large peacock feather eyes and the words:
“For the individual.
The ultimate bespoke option”
Well, I’m all ears – or should that be all eyes?
At the beginning there are plenty of photographs of the hand-production elements that go in to creating a bespoke Aston Martin interior – sewing, leather tooling and gilding for example.
It continues with full size photographs showing various design inspirations, such as Japanese cherry blossom or the colours of a Sanlorenzo yacht, next to photographs of how these are incorporated into different elements of the car. The inspiration comes from anywhere; not just the natural world, but designer watches, iridescent lipstick, leather brogues or even a Eurofighter Typhoon!
Towards the back of the book are portfolio pages for specific cars, design mood boards and close-up details of their features. I’ll attempt to give you an idea:
- Stealth Vanquish – Moody Black Satin with Rosso Corsa red accents. Imagine jet fighter cockpits…
- Southern Californian Lifestyle DB9 – Pure White Satin and Aurora Blue inspired by the blues and whites of beach and nautical themes.
- Sporting Luxury V12 Vantage S – An understated Silver Fox with Yellow Tang highlights.
- Ming Blue Rapide – A gorgeous Ming Blue with dark wood elements and dragon design stitching reflecting centuries of Chinese culture and design.
- Le Mans Homage Vanquish Volante – A sleek modern look with reference to the livery of the winning 1959 DBR1. Complete with luggage.
- China Grey V12 Vantage S – China Grey with red carbon fibre. Sporty, yet minimalist in design.
- Volcano V12 Vantage S – Storm Black and Volcano Red gradated paintwork…. Need I say more?!
- Spectral Ice Vanquish – A strikingly cool Morning Frost White and Cobalt Blue combination.
- Rose Gold Luxury Rapide S – A classic theme and oh so classy with a Hardly Green exterior and rose gold accents.
- Mako Blue Vanquish Coupe – Referencing the livery from GT racing cars is an interior of Pale Blue and California Poppy.
- The ultimate Q by Aston Martin car, CC100 – A radical speedster in the unique body colour Stirling Green with solid Sterling Silver badges. It “embodies a proud past and an exciting future”.
Well, that’s certainly plenty to get any heart a-fluttering! I’m even feeling poetically inspired….
Roses are red,
Violets are blue,
For bespoke inspiration,
It has to be “Q”.
