When it comes to fashion or cars, effective collaborations create cultural relevance, especially when trying to engage crucial markets. From Mercedes Benz leading ‘Class of Creators’ Project of 2025 featuring concept cars by Hot Wheels, Ice Spice, Colm Dillane, League of Legends, and Gustaf Westman, to Porsche’s latest Labubu move (see below), carmakers are leaning into art, pop culture, and lifestyle to stay relevant.
Yet Chinese automakers are charting a different course through technology leadership. Xpeng’s Robot, unveiled at the company's AI day in late October, exemplifies China’s automotive ambitions: smart, futuristic experiences that push boundaries.
But here's where it gets interesting. Culture-driven collaboration and cutting-edge tech are intersecting with an unexpected countertrend: analog revival. As this week's interviewee Aloisa Ruf observes, automotive enthusiasts are gravitating to older design aesthetics. This mirrors a broader luxury trend, as Chinese Gen Zers rediscover retro technology —wired headphones, digital cameras, and now classic automotive styling cues. Manual controls, and “tech nostalgia” are infiltrating the car space, offering a counterpoint to digital saturation.
The result? A fascinating duality in 2025. Automotive brands must balance the hyper-digital with the nostalgic, the tech‑forward with the tactile. Even in an era of AI-driven mobility, the simple pleasures of analog experiences and cultural storytelling remain paramount in the automotive business.
Spotlight on: Porsche x Labubu takes Dubai #
No industry is safe from Labubu. We first covered the Pop Mart toy's takeover in November 2024, and the fuzzy gremlin has since become a defining cultural phenomenon of 2025. On November 22, at the 2025 Icons of Porsche event in Dubai, Porsche teamed up with artist Kasing Lung to unveil a limited collector’s edition “King Mon” figure and an art car featuring Labubu behind the wheel — celebrating 10 years of The Monsters and 60 years of the Porsche 911 Targa.
The 40cm-high “King Mon in Porsche 911 Targa” sculpture is limited to 60 units worldwide. A life-size Labubu occupies the driver’s seat of a custom 911 Targa (Type 992) art car, featuring Lung's a Labubu-inspired design — Porsche’s latest bid to remain culturally relevant.
But the timing raises questions. Now in Q4 2025, the Labubu phenomenon appears to have peaked. Resale prices have declined and Pop Mart lost roughly a quarter of its market value in less than a month in October. Whether Labubu maintains its cultural currency into 2026 remains to be seen.
5 Asian plush toys coming for Labubu’s crown
Lewis Hamilton’s Plus44 x Ralph Steadman #
Chiming with the Las Vegas Grand Prix 2025, Lewis Hamilton’s lifestyle label Plus44 upped the ante with “Vegas Daze,” its boldest collaboration yet, created with legendary British artist Ralph Steadman. Inspired by Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, the capsule translates Steadman’s chaotic, ink-splattered aesthetic into contemporary streetwear, featuring exclusive new artwork and reimagined classics.
The collection channels the story’s psychedelic energy across boxy tees, tie-dye pieces layered with “Still We Rise,” desert-inspired swimwear, all-over print shirts, oversized hoodies, and a sleek black zip-up jacket. Accessories, including a Steadman-sketched dice set, acid-yellow beach towel, and vivid visors, extend the trippy visual universe. Debuting at a four-day Las Vegas pop-up from November 19 to 22, the collection later dropped on Plus44.world, foreshadowing Hamilton’s further impact in the fashion and art industries alike.
How F1 became the ultimate luxury playground
Insta-post of the week #
Spotlight on: Aloisa Ruf @aloisaruf of @rufsince1939 #
Brand and Communication Designer and artist Aloisa Ruf transforms everyday experiences into meaningful visual expressions. Raised in Germany's RUF Automobile family, she merges aesthetic storytelling with automotive culture.
Brand and Communication Designer and artist Aloisa Ruf transforms everyday experiences into meaningful visual expressions. Raised in Germany's RUF Automobile family, she merges aesthetic storytelling with automotive culture.
What is your favorite project you've ever worked on?
This is a good question, as I’ve been lucky enough to work across a wide range of projects — from my personal photography endeavors and art exhibitions in Los Angeles, Miami, Bahrain, and Munich to fashion collaborations for RUF Automobile. So far, my favorite project must be the Polo Ralph Lauren Spring/Summer 2024 campaign in Paris, in which me driving the RUF SCR was featured.
Thoughts on art cars?
I’m fond of all art forms — music, theater, film, photography, the fine arts, architecture. To me, cars can be art as well. Combining two creative worlds inspires me greatly. The BMW Art Cars, especially the Frank Stella M1, and Janis Joplin’s classic 356 are among my favorites.
What do you think cars bring to the fashion conversation — such as through collabs or campaigns?
Cars, just like fashion, can be an extension of ourselves — of our taste, identity, and the way we choose to move through the world. Especially now in the luxury space, where we curate what we own and how it reflects who we are rather than shopping purely for utility, it has become more evident than ever that what we drive is just as personal as what we wear. Even for people outside the traditional car community. I believe there is enormous potential in the intersection of fashion and automobiles — and it’s certainly a growing trend.
What advice do you have for automotive brands wanting to create authentic collaborations that cross into fashion and culture?
Choose partnerships that feel unexpected at first glance, yet so fitting on the second that people wonder how it hadn’t happened earlier. How do you achieve that? Truly understand brand values and cross-cultural brand associations — how you think your brand is perceived versus how it actually is. Who are your clients? Who are theirs? Where do the worlds overlap, and how can you expand both horizons? And when working across cultures, take the time to understand local cultural values and expectations. Real intention — something deeper than simply chasing “hype” — is the key to creating meaningful impact.
What key car-building trends is RUF seeing in 2025?
Our customers are leaning more into the analog aspect of our cars than ever before. Requests for double-clutch gearboxes are declining — the more visceral and analog, the better. Which is wonderful for us, because that is our forte: cars the driver truly maneuvers, not the other way around.
Do you think car culture is still male-dominated, or are you seeing that perception evolve?
Yes and no. Car culture is certainly male-dominated, but what makes me happy is seeing more and more women entering the industry — and entering it loudly. Many are educating other girls about cars, and social media has played a huge role in making the car world more accessible. It sparks curiosity, and, going back to the artistic aspect of car culture, women do understand beauty. To mention a few women who inspire me in the automotive world include my own mother, who runs our family business alongside my father, Mary Barra (CEO of General Motors), Linda Jackson (former CEO of Peugeot and Citroën), Annette Winkler (former CEO of Smart), and of course Bertha Benz (the original automotive pioneer and rebel!). Women have always been part of this industry, and our presence will only continue to grow.
Alexa Chung talks Shanghai, Britishness, and Barbour
Car influencers-to-watch #
Vicky-EV, @vicky-EV (30,000): Vicky-EV specializes in China’s fast-evolving new energy vehicle (NEV) landscape. Distilling complex EV technologies, model comparisons, and market trends into clear, practical insights for everyday drivers. Her approachable, consumer-focused reviews help audiences navigate charging, range, and ownership experiences with confidence.
Li Yuer, @李玉儿撩车 (1.3M): Race car driver Li Yuer is a rising auto influencer celebrated for her down-to-earth, highly practical “car dry goods” content. With a relaxed, friendly style, she breaks down complex automotive topics into approachable insights for both newcomers and seasoned enthusiasts.
Lika, @莉卡 (108,700): Lika, known as Train Sister, or littlecolorful, on Xiaohongshu, is an established voice in China’s new energy vehicle (NEV) scene on social media. Hailed by some fans as the “Queen of NEV recommendations,” she shares her hands-on experiences driving a wide range of electric cars, offering practical tips and daily insights from a woman’s perspective.
Meet China’s car culture stars on Xiaohongshu
In auto-luxe: Mini x Paul Smith takes 2025 Japan Mobility Show #
The new Mini Paul Smith Edition debuted at the 2025 Japan Mobility Show in Tokyo — a strategic choice that positions the vehicle within a major industry showcase while capitalizing on Japan's significance as a key market for both Mini and Paul Smith.
The creative partnership dates back to 1998, when Smith first wrapped a Classic Mini in his trademark design language. Since then, the collaboration has produced a 1999 “Signature Stripe” car, a 2021 design‑focused concept, and a 2022 “Recharged” EV reinterpretation. This full production edition marks the latest chapter in one of the automotive world's longest‑running design collaborations.
Can automotive brands truly break into fashion?
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Cars and Culture Issue #020
As the Las Vegas F1 Grand Prix begins in just 10 days, this week we explore the growing cultural impact of the luxury motorsport, led by Audi’s unveiling of its debut concept for the 2026 F1 season. On Monday, Aston Martin took center stage at the Walpole British Luxury Awards, receiving the prestigious “Game Changer” accolade for its Valhalla supercar, described as a striking fusion of F1 engineering, hybrid innovation, and sculptural design that proves the performance edge of being synonymous with F1.