The Gentleman Magazine Issue 2 | April/May 2017 | Page 16

Hublot presents Classic Fusion Italia Independent collection

What do you get when you mix the watchmaking expertise of Hublot , the limitless creativity of Italia Independent through its founder Lapo Elkann , and the treasures of the famous Italian tailor Rubinacci ?
The Art of Fusion !
“ We are very proud to be able to continue this partnership with Italia Independent and Lapo Elkann , whose creativity and character never cease to surprise us . This new project was an extraordinary experience for us : putting Hublot ' s capacity for technical innovation and willingness to experiment to the service of the House of Rubinacci — a monument to Italian elegance — and the incomparable style of Lapo Elkann . The Classic Fusion Italia Independent truly represents the fusion of three forms of expertise .” Ricardo Guadalupe , CEO Hublot
Since 2014 , two collections have been born from the partnership between Hublot , Italia Independent and Lapo Elkann . Although both of the previous collections were based on the legendary Big Bang Unico model , this time the magic of this wildly creative team was unleashed on the Classic Fusion model . Its name seems to have predestined it for this new special edition : there has never been such a fine example of the fusion of the ' classic ' and innovation . this is the case for the Classic Fusion Italia Independent collection ." Lapo Elkann , Founder and Artistic Director of Italia Independent
This was a task that was made-to-measure ( no pun intended ) for Lapo Elkann who is frequently named " the most elegant man in the world " and who has made bespoke designs and customisation his signature . He brought Ferrari ' s ‘ Tailor Made ’ programme to life , and he is continuing and expanding upon the concept with Garage Italia Customs ; cars , boats , planes and helicopters , with a unique level of customisation , personalisation and innovative creativity for the whole mobility industry . Lapo also applies this same expertise to the creations that he designs for Hublot and Italia Independent .
The “ sartoria Rubinacci ” was not chosen at random : since 1932 , three generations of Rubinacci have been at the reins of this institution of good taste and masculine refinement : Gennaro , the founding grandfather , Mariano , the father who now manages the house from Naples and , of course Luca , master of the store in Milan , and one of the most photographed men on the planet thanks to his unique style . Between them they have dressed everybody from the Duke of Kent to singer Bryan Ferry , not to mention of course the Agnelli family , of which Lapo Elkann is the worthy successor .
" As a creator , I have always put customisation and bespoke designs , which for me represent real luxury , at the heart of my different projects . It is with this in mind that I conceive and design unique objects , which meet my tastes and requirements , but also satisfy my clients . I like the fact that they become truly mine and that they are distinctive , and
The House of Rubinacci holds the most beautiful collection of fabrics in its archives . It was here , in the more than 60,000 square metres of precious houndstooth , tweeds and other cloths that Hublot and Lapo Elkann found a collection of tartans — squared coloured wool weaves from the seventies — that they brought back to life by including them in the Classic Fusion as a chronograph . The dial and straps have therefore
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