Bentley has partnered with London-based lifestyle brand PICANTE to create an exclusive seven-piece capsule collection. This partnership, announced from Bentley’s headquarters in Crewe, represents a seamless fusion of British heritage and modern design sensibilities, bringing together two distinct yet complementary approaches to luxury.
The collection embodies the spirit of both brands, combining Bentley’s renowned dedication to craftsmanship with PICANTE’s fresh perspective on contemporary lifestyle products.
The collaboration arrives at a pivotal moment for both brands, as luxury consumers increasingly seek authentic experiences that combine traditional craftsmanship with contemporary aesthetics. This partnership exemplifies how heritage brands can evolve whilst maintaining their core values and identity in an ever-changing luxury landscape.
Through this collection, Bentley demonstrates its ability to extend its legacy beyond automotive excellence, whilst PICANTE showcases its capability to work with one of Britain’s most prestigious manufacturers.
A Journey of Discovery
The ‘Open Road Collection’ draws its inspiration from the shared appreciation of journey and discovery that lies at the heart of both brands. This carefully curated collection celebrates not merely the destination, but the very essence of travel itself – the unexpected discoveries, the spontaneous detours, and the luxurious freedom of the open road.
The collection’s narrative is deeply rooted in the rituals surrounding food and travel, acknowledging the shared experiences that make these moments memorable.
The collection’s philosophy embraces the modern traveller’s perspective that luxury isn’t found solely in reaching a destination, but in savouring every moment of the journey. This ethos is reflected in each piece’s design, which combines practical functionality with sophisticated aesthetics.
The excitement of discovery and the thrill of exploration are woven into every garment, creating pieces that evoke both nostalgia and contemporary adventure.
Masterful Craftsmanship Meets Contemporary Design
The collection’s crown jewel is undoubtedly the limited-edition leather bomber jacket, of which only twenty pieces will be produced. This exclusive garment showcases exceptional attention to detail, featuring the iconic Bentley wings blind embossed onto premium cowhide leather.
The interior reveals the heritage marque’s signature diamond-in-diamond pattern, meticulously stitched within the quilting, creating a subtle yet unmistakable connection to Bentley’s automotive heritage.
Design Elements and Technical Excellence
The collection’s design philosophy mirrors Bentley’s approach to automotive creation, where every detail serves both an aesthetic and functional purpose. The traditional diamond-in-diamond quilting pattern, a signature element in Bentley’s vehicle interiors, has been thoughtfully interpreted across various pieces in the collection.
This distinctive stitching pattern appears most prominently in the bomber jacket’s interior, creating a tangible link between Bentley’s automotive heritage and contemporary fashion.
The attention to detail extends throughout the entire collection, with each piece receiving the same level of consideration as Bentley applies to their motorcars. The selection of materials, from the premium cowhide leather to the Glenmerino lambswool, reflects both brands’ commitment to using only the finest materials.
Every stitch, every finish, and every component has been carefully chosen to ensure longevity and maintain the high standards associated with both brands.
A Comprehensive Luxury Wardrobe
Beyond the signature bomber jacket, the collection encompasses six other meticulously crafted pieces. The Glenmerino lambswool knit sweater offers luxurious comfort while maintaining sophistication, demonstrating PICANTE’s commitment to quality materials.
The hoodie provides a contemporary casual option without compromising on refinement. Each t-shirt in the collection has been thoughtfully designed to reflect both brands’ aesthetics, while the lambswool beanie and signature cap complete the collection with practical yet stylish accessories.
These pieces are designed to evolve with their wearers, developing character and personality over time. The attention to detail in each item reflects both brands’ commitment to excellence and longevity in design.
Every piece is created as a wearable souvenir that will evolve with the wearer, crafted in signature shapes meant to last a lifetime. The collection maintains PICANTE’s design ethos of creating wearable souvenirs that evolve with the wearer.
The Creative Vision
The collaboration has been guided by the creative insights of PICANTE’s co-founders, each bringing their unique perspective to the project.
Jude Taylor’s vision for the collection stems from a deep appreciation of British heritage, as evidenced in his statement: “We love that Bentley has such a deep-rooted British heritage and it is something that we, as a brand, aspire towards. It has been amazing to work with them on this project and gain an understanding of the level of craft behind these iconic cars.”
This understanding of Bentley’s craftsmanship informed the development of the leather jacket, which incorporates subtle nods to Bentley’s interior design elements.
Saam Zonoozi‘s contribution brought historical depth to the project, through extensive research into Bentley’s rich heritage.
As he explains: “We dug deep into the history of Bentley Motors, exploring their evolution over 100 years and pulling from their extensive archives. Taking these references and translating them into a graphic that speaks to our brand. It was important to have nods to roots of both brands, which you can see in the ‘Soho Crewe’ text.”
This meticulous attention to historical detail ensures that each piece in the collection carries authentic references to both brands’ heritage.
Heritage Meets Innovation
Bentley’s venture into fashion represents more than just a collaboration; it symbolises the evolution of luxury brands in the modern era. This partnership showcases how Bentley has successfully evolved over the decades, channeling its brand DNA into new realms of contemporary luxury lifestyle.
By collaborating with masterful craftspeople, engineers, and designers, Bentley continues to extend its ethos into luxury furniture, architecture, and now fashion, offering the ultimate in personalised self-expression and exclusivity.
The collection successfully bridges the gap between automotive luxury and fashion, creating pieces that resonate with both car enthusiasts and fashion connoisseurs.
For PICANTE, recognised in Vogue UK’s “Emerging Brands 2023,” this collaboration represents an opportunity to demonstrate their expertise in combining contemporary design with high-quality, sustainable materials. Together, these brands have created a collection that represents a new chapter in luxury brand collaboration, where heritage and innovation coexist harmoniously.
Availability and Access
The Open Road Collection will be exclusively available through picante.shop, launching at 1pm on Friday 15 November. The limited nature of the collection, particularly the twenty exclusive bomber jackets, is expected to generate significant interest among collectors and enthusiasts alike.
Each piece has been created with the same attention to detail that characterises both brands, ensuring that every item meets the exacting standards expected by their discerning clientele.
This carefully planned release strategy ensures that the collection maintains its exclusivity while being accessible to dedicated followers of both brands. The limited production run, particularly of the bomber jacket, reflects both companies’ commitment to maintaining the highest standards of quality and exclusivity in their offerings.
