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VESPA SCOOTERS HAVE always been fashionable, and thanks to the Parsons School of Design, they may soon be even more so. This past spring, Vespa importer Piaggio USA teamed up with the noted New York fashion institute to “re-imagine the icon of modem Italian style and update it for American motorists of a new century.” Students in the Fashion Design, Product Design and Design & Technology programs created new concepts for a Vespa lifestyle collection, which debuted at the Parsons Annual Benefit and Fashion Show this past May.
Not surprisingly, casual wear was a mainstay, and standing out among the watches that change color and necklaces that glow were a few useful products, such as a nameplate necklace that doubles as a chain lock.
One of the more clever concepts was the Message Bag, a backpack with integral LED display that “shows the world your messages of love, anger or when you’re about to make a tum.” And then there was the Beat Pod (right), “the antithesis of the iPod.. .designed for sharing music with others while walking down the street or riding through the city.” The unit’s two loudspeakers are connected by a cord that can be worn as a scarf.
There were a few noteworthy scooter accessories, as well. The Vespa Lounge allows you to lift, twist and turn the seat around so you can recline on your scooter, while the Vespet (below) is a safe pet-transport podthere’s even a window so Fido can enjoy the view.
“We’re very pleased with the results of the project,” said Paolo Timoni, CEO of Piaggio USA., Inc. “Americans have created a whole new lifestyle with the Vespa scooter.
Putting together classic Italian design and fresh American ingenuity has proved to be an exciting combination.”
“The students did a wonderful job capturing the romance and spirit of the Vespa with their new hightech solutions,” added Robert Rabinovitz, the Product Design instructor at Parsons leading the project.
The Italian company plans to put the best ideas into production by early 2006.
Brian Gatterson
