Cars and Fashion

Just last weekend, a very dear friend of mine, Vanessa, attended the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) Gala Event. Now, Vanessa is a fashion blogger, and a damn good one. If you aren't familiar with her blog, you should definitely check it out. (http://readydressedgo.blogspot.com/) She has an artistic eye for design and a sense of style that is off the charts. Keep in mind, I said that she is a fashion blogger. Not a car enthusiast. So of course the Gala Event was right up her alley. Wall to wall formal wear, fabulous shoes and enough bling and accessories to make Zsa Zsa Gabor drool. 
After the event, she did a write up on her blog about the great fashions that she had encountered. Upon tweeting this, a rather angry gentleman implied that the NAIAS was too Hollywood, and that it was about the cars, rather than the fashion. Now my darling friend, being the sassy and smart gal she is, of course already responded in her clever way with a brilliant retort. But, being as I AM a car person, and someone who also loves and appreciates fashion, I felt the need to respond as well. So listen up, angry car guy, you might just learn something.
Cars and fashion have long gone hand in hand. From the very early days of the automobile, it was a sign of style and class. You put on your Sunday best and went for a drive. You wanted everyone to know that you had not only money, but great taste as well. You would never step out of a Rolls Royce in sweat pants and a dirty t-shirt. It would be a crime. 
Car companies and fashion designers quickly realized what a great opportunity they had. By teaming up, they could expand their brands to an entirely new audience. In the early 1970's, AMC teamed up with Gucci for an exclusive edition Hornet. This was such a success, that higher end companies started following in their footsteps. Lincoln had an entire Designer Series line that included interior finishes from Cartier, Pucci, Givenchy and Bill Blass. Customers ate it up. Not only did you have a great machine, but now it had even more style and finesse. And it appealed to a whole new market. We all know at least one person who owned an Eddie Bauer Edition Ford Explorer or an L.L Bean Subaru Forester. They were extremely popular with not only car enthusiasts, but fashion lovers as well. And who can forget the denim upholstered Gremlin? What a spicy little gem that was. And how about Mini? Each year, they team up with a fashion designer to create a unique car, all in the name of charity. What a brilliant idea! Cars and fashion have long been hanging in the same circles. This is nothing new. How many clothing brands use cars and trucks in their advertising? Tons! Why? Because it works. If that great pair of pants didn't catch your eye, odds are, the sleek and sexy muscle car the model is perched atop did. And have you ever been to a car show? Look around. Eight out of every ten people there are sporting some kind of attire with their favorite car logo. From hats, shirts and jackets, to shoes, handbags and more. There is absolutely no denying that cars and fashion belong together. 
And as for Hollywood, well, have you ever seen a movie? Hollywood loves its cars. Whether they are the star of the film (Transformers, Fast and Furious, The Italian Job, Smokey and the Bandit, Gone in 60 Seconds and MANY more) or they are just being raced, chased, smashed and crashed, cars have made their mark on Hollywood and they aren't going anywhere. 
If I haven't made it clear already, I love cars. I fully intend on a trip to the NAIAS and drooling over the latest beautiful machines on display. I will talk about engines and turbos and I will make cracks about terrible body lines hideous wheels. But let me tell you this... if whilst oogling a stunning piece of automotive art, I happen upon a fabulous pair of shoes or a glorious handbag, you bet your ass I'll be checking that out too.