If I said that I thought someone with a high-end fashion background was responsible for the interior design of my car, I would totally be telling a fib. When I was given the opportunity to interview Anthony Prozzi, the senior interior designer at Ford Motor Company’s Fashion, I was eager to learn how thew worlds of fashion and cars connect.
Anthony’s no newbie to the fashion world; he began his design career in fashion as a designer at Donna Karan, so we definitely share a passion for fashion. I know this because his favorite TV show is Project Runway, and I’ve had a serious love affair with this show since season 1! I’m excited to share deets about Ford’s fashion influences with my fellow F&B lovers and hope you enjoy this glam interview!
Margo: You’ve spent most of your professional life in the fashion industry. Was it difficult to transition from a fashion house like Donna Karan to the automotive industry?
Anthony: Not at all, the process of design really is the same regardless if it’s an article of clothing, a piece of furniture or an automobile. Obviously, there are ” technical ” differences which I was very fortunate to have great mentors that helped me work through the transition from dressing a human form to learning how to bend metal. Our design VP, J Mays’ process is frankly almost identical to Donna Karan. Both are masters at creating a seductive story, like a great movie director, except the protagonist is a car and clothing.
Margo: Many people never really think about the significant role that interior design plays in the automotive industry, what exactly do you do when you’re presented with a new project…what does the planning process entail?
Anthony: Before pen goes to paper to sketch, we do our ” homework ” so we are absolutely clear what the message of the vehicle is and how through the shape, color, material, proportion and every aspect that you will see and touch transmits that message. So, for example, with an iconic vehicle like Mustang it is essential that every designer on that program understands the Mustang customer and what are the visual design cues that make the vehicle an object of desire. Then we can work through how to evolve and refine proposals so they are modern and pertinent within its context. The new Ford Fusion is a triumph in my opinion because as a collective team we understood how to seduce and give shape and form to this idea and provide a design that offers a premium experience without a premium price tag. When you really think about it, as designers that is what we do – provide extraordinary experiences through the vehicles we design.
Margo: Generally speaking, about how long of process is it to bring a design idea from concept to reality?
Anthony: Hmmmmm, it varies depending on the scope of a program – sometimes is can be as quick as 12 months – sometimes a little longer if a project is a new concept. We are always thinking and conceptualizing. ” what’s next ” so it becomes a very organic process and the timing goes very quickly.
Margo:Alexander McQueen, Eddie Borgo, and Kate Lanphear were some of your design inspirations…what influences or fabulous touches can we expect to see with the 2013 Ford Fusion?
Anthony: Where do I start! As said before, it was all about the seduction – and that’s where Alexander McQueen’s inspiration comes from. His collections have such passion and as Eddie Borgo’s jewelry there is this amazing dichotomy between hard and soft, light and dark, masculine and feminine.
That idea and its translation to a 3-D form truly inspired us. So, when you experience the interior you notice that everything you touch is soft, sensual, confident and secure simultaneously everything you ” see ” is such as the metal detailing the extends along the passenger’s area and the transition from the instrument panel to door panel is powerful and alluring, i.e. reference Kate Lanphear while wearing Eddie Borgo nihilitic’s rings.
Just as Kate has maintained her edge while producing a mainstream fashion magazine, the Fusion does the same – it offers an edge that you would expect of a modern car without loosing its wide cross-generational appeal.
Margo: The Fusion has Hybrid EcoBoost. It’s such an innovative product. How important is sustainable living to you?
Anthony: Well, I personally practice what I preach – the home I live in is geothermally heated and cooled, I am very selective with my purchases – choosing to support those that have committed to doing whats right for our environment.
Margo: How do you want people who drive this car to feel during their driving experience? What type of ambiance should they expect to feel?
Anthony: First I want people to realize what the new Fusion represents and that is a commitment from Ford to offer a car that has and will never compromise great design and while offering a vehicle that is designed with a conscience. That a vehicle can put a smile on your face, that it can be transcendent. That as said before can offer a luxury experience without the price tag. That design matters and is essential.
Isn’t he awesome?! I just love the detail that goes into making the 2013 Ford Fusion a glam car with inspiration from the hautest names in fashion! Very stylish, indeed.
Ciao Bellas,
Margo
Hmm both masculine and feminine? Thats quite a hard concept to follow for the construction of a car..
I think it’s possible to have an androgynous look and feel to a car.