Design inspiration is a two-way street

The line between technology, fashion and cars is blurring. Consumer electronics makers are increasingly drawing inspiration from the fashion industry, although companies from both sectors are also partnering up with automotive manufacturers in the production of high-tech vehicles. Here is how their creative collaborations have played out for the road:

Chrysler and John Varvatos, a menswear designer

The Vehicle

Chrysler 300c John Varvatos Limited Edition

The Look

"With its unique phantom black tri-coat exterior paint and discrete metallic finishes inside and out, the limited-production [vehicle] exudes a Detroit-tough attitude," says Chrysler. Mr Varvatos, who was born and raised in Detroit, styled this 2013 vehicle after a black and titanium-finished cologne bottle. Its rear end features LED tail lights with darkened detail for a "more masculine look", Chrysler says. A luxury edition of the vehicle features other perks, such as "ultra-premium" leather seats and hand-sanded wood finishes.

Apple and Volkswagen

The Vehicle

iBeetle

The Look

"The colours and equipment features of the iBeetle are stylistically linked to the Cupertino-based US company [Apple]," says Volkswagen. Displayed at the Shanghai Auto Show in April, the iBeetle features a specially designed app that is meant to integrate with the iPhone 5 starting next year. Once the mobile snaps into the vehicle's dashboard, it accesses a series of apps for playing music, pulling up photos and comparing driving times plus distances of different routes to any two destinations.

Mini and Franca Sozzani, the chief editor of Italian Vogue

The Vehicle

Mini Roadster

The Look

The vehicle is decorated "in a stylishly intricate floral design which, in combination with very 'of the moment' deepest purple matt paintwork and gold hallmark Mini rally stripes." This one-off creation, which raised €54,000 (Dh261,033) to benefit HIV projects, was created to mark the 20th anniversary of the Life Ball in Vienna last year. The idea was inspired by women from the past who used to wear a headscarf while driving a convertible, Ms Sozzani said during its public debut.