News August 16 2006

Giorgio Armani joins judges in Fiat 500 global design challenge

Fiat is encouraging budding designers around the world to put their designs in front of one of the world’s most famous designers, Giorgio Armani, with the fashion legend joining the judging panel for the “Fiat 500 Wants You” design competition.

As it finalises the relaunch of the legendary 500, Fiat is calling on budding designers around the world to contribute their ideas and designs for the new car and everything that surrounds its launch, sale and customer interaction through its web site.

Design entries may be made in three categories:

500 ACCESSORIES
Designs for car accessories and personalization of the new FIAT 500 car.

500 LIFESTYLE
Designs for the FIAT 500’s style and translate the style into everyday life, such objects, furniture, gadgets, and clothing.

500 EVERYWHERE
Designing the world of the new FIAT 500, including designs for a FIAT 500 world, such as places, streets, parking areas, shops, pubs and public spaces.

For each category, there is a 5,000 Euro prize and, in addition, should Fiat put any design into production, it will pay a 3,000 Euro fee. The top designs will be put on display at car shows and design events across Europe and in each market where the new Fiat 500 is launched.

As well as Giorgio Armani, the judging panel includes Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, President of the Fiat Group; Jasper Morrison, furniture designer and founder of Jasper Morrison Ltd.; Gabriele Salvatores, film director; Luca Trazzi, architect designer, CEO of Designboom.

“This is a unique opportunity for budding Australian designers to place their ideas and skills in front of a group of the leading designers and have their work considered for production and sale across the world by major companies,” explains David Stone, General Manager for Fiat in Australia. “By building it around the three categories of automotive accessories, life style and architecture plus having a car as varied in its influences as the Fiat 500, the opportunities to enter are limited only by each individual’s imagination. Winning a prize in this competition could just be the start of a career as a top flight designer!”