CATEGORIES

• Ask ColCam
• Commercials
• Full Ford
• Going Ford
• Industry News
• My Wheels
• Racing
• Events
• Test Drive
• Ford Dealer List

SPECIAL

Ford Territory

SPECIAL

Ford Territory

Leather and Fur Inspire Resurgence in Car Interior Glamour

Staff, Thursday August 9, 2001.

Page 1 of 1

"Leather and faux fur are huge in fashion at the moment so it is not surprising that they are going to have a big influence in car interiors over the next 12 to 24 months," she says.

Besides fashion, trends in architecture, industrial and interior design and soft furnishings are driving changes in every facet of the car from exterior colour, seat fabric, carpets, wood grain and plastic finishes.

"The preference over the past decade in car interiors has been towards more matt finishes," she says. "But customers can expect a shift towards a glossier and more glamorous look for car interiors in the next decade.

"This trend is being driven by the resurgence of shimmering effects in cosmetics, metallic plastics in product design such as mobile phones, and the use of shiny, smooth leather and leather-look fabrics, suede and faux fur in fashion.

"Leather and leather-look fabrics have been classic materials used in cars since they were invented but this new trend is about using leather in different ways," Sharon explains. "The focus is on finish and texture with lots of emphasis on details such as stitching, embossing, quilting, using leather cut-outs and mixing pieces of leather. The look is of crafted leather.

"The influence of faux fur from fashion into cars will be seen in the pile of fabrics used in interior finishes. Fabrics will become shinier, glossier, smoother with a strong brushing and napping effect."

Sharon says nature is also behind the trend towards greater use of natural colours in car interiors such as gold, off-white, camel and browns. "These colours are soothing and create a sense of calm within the interior. Expect to see these colours enhanced with dark wood finishes, currently popular in designer furniture."

Sharon is also predicting new trends in exterior colours of cars.

"Colours emerging over the next two years vary from particularly rich, warm purples, lilacs, reds and burgundies, to striking mixes of soothing, grounded colours of camel, dark brown and orange, to the clean industrial colours of white and pure silver.

"Beyond the next couple of years, there will be the emergence of hot acid brights like lime chartreuse and muted, greener versions of chartreuse, industrial greys and colours inspired from liquid sources such as clean, pure bright colour saturations and dehydrated, greyer softer undertones."

Besides fashion, trends in industries as diverse as telecommunications, architecture and health are impacting on Sharon's work.

"Plastics with metallic parts and tinted clear plastics in colours of yellow, blue and purple featured in computers and telephones at the moment will emerge in some form in cars of the future. The interior mechanics of products used to be hidden from view but now transparent plastics are revealing and featuring this technology and hardware.

"There are also ongoing advances in paints, for example, with metallic finishes and even paint which changes with the touch of a hand."

Materials from fashion, interior and industrial design such as mesh and stretch fabrics are being looked at for application in car interiors. New research is even looking at fabrics with medicinal and aromatic qualities.

According to Sharon, changes happening in vehicle trim and colour are designed to offer more choice to individual customers.

"Customers are exposed to so much choice in their everyday lives, they naturally expect it from their cars. They want to choose colours, fabrics, finishes which suit their tastes and lifestyles."

This drive to customize vehicles is leading to a more holistic approach to interior trim and design within Ford Australia.

"I think you will see more linking of interior and exterior colour and trim of our cars coming onto the market over the next couple of years. We have thought of everything -- blending interior and exterior colours, carpets with seat fabrics, wood and other finishes to create a seamless, harmonious transfer from the outside to the inside of the car.

"I think we are creating something special and I hope our customers think so too."

Profile: Sharon Gauci, Ford Australia Colour and Trim Design Manager

Sharon Gauci has a passion for creative pursuits such as art, design and photography. But as a little girl she also loved science and dreamt of becoming an astronaut.

Today Sharon, 31, says she has been lucky enough to find a job that combines her love of both arts and sciences as Ford Australia's Colour and Trim Design Manager.

In this position, she is responsible for developing exterior colour ranges for Ford's Australian-built vehicles as well as finishes on all vehicle interior surfaces.

This involves working with materials from plastics, paints, fabrics, metals, woods, decorative film, carpets, leather and vinyl.

She works across some six vehicle lines from luxury, sports and family cars to utilities and commercial vehicles plus concept cars for major auto shows.

"I've always had creative interests in design and art but I love the way this job challenges me in many other areas as well from science to engineering and technology to project management," Sharon says. "You need to understand the properties of different materials you're working with, to liaise with engineers and suppliers, to be focused on every detail of every car and every customer to bring a beautiful new range to launch."

Her job has taken her to catwalks, launches and motor shows around the world where she monitors trends in fashion, cosmetics, soft furnishings and interior décor to help her select new automotive colours and interior finishes.

Sharon joined Ford Australia as a Colour and Trim Designer in 1992 after completing a Bachelor position in marketing. In 2000, she returned to Ford as Colour and Trim Design Manager.

She and her partner have a two-year-old son. Her interests include cars, motorcycles, painting, drawing and design as well as food, natural well-being alternatives, beach, travel and active exercise.

For further information contact:
Ford Australia Communications
Phone: (03) 9359 8491

Previous Article: News Watch Issue 5, Thursday 2nd August 2001
Next Article: Ford Designer Started With Crayons and Cranes