Release immediate February 25, 2002

Great British car brand, Rover, has forged a unique partnership with top British fashion designer Matthew Williamson, internationally heralded as one of the finest fashion designers working from the United Kingdom. His distinctly whimsical and ultimately feminine creations have won over the hearts of not only the fashion pundits, but also celebrities such as Madonna, Elizabeth Hurley, Kate Moss, Jade Jagger and Helena Christensen.

It should therefore be no surprise that this leader of fashion performance has jumped into the ‘front seat’ with another great British performer – the Rover car brand. Matthew has agreed a partnership with Rover that will see him act as creative consultant to the Rover car portfolio.

To launch this new partnership Matthew has designed a stylish and flamboyant one-off Rover 25, unveiled by supermodel Erin O’Connor, at the culmination of London Fashion Week. In Matthew’s inimitable style this racy little number has been painted in a pearlescent gold that flips to pink.

This subtle colour scheme has been boldly mirrored throughout the interior of the car in a variety of contrasting applications. The door casing inserts, head lining and interior posts have been dressed in gold Indian silk, incorporating a detailed screen-printed design. The moulded fascia sections of the cubby box and instrument surround have been moulded in translucent plastic and backlit in pink for night illumination.

A specially commissioned pink leather by Connolly covers the steering wheel and gear selector gaiter. Seat belt buckles are burgundy in colour, with the heating and ventilation controls surround in gold chromate paint.

The grille, rub strips and external badges are treated in pink chromate paint – all to great effect. The beautiful exterior body colour is complemented by 17" Serpent alloy wheels. The car has been specified with a 1.6-litre K Series engine and six-speed Stepspeed transmission.

Rover’s sponsorship of the British Fashion Awards, now in its third year, has been a key strand of the brand’s marketing activities, linking the developing style trends of both catwalks and highways. The new MG Rover Monogram programme is now being offered to customers of new MG and Rover cars to meet their desire to reflect their individuality. It consists of a range of paint finish and trim combinations as well as technology features.

Matthew Williamson, commenting on his Rover 25 Art Car Concept, said: "I am absolutely delighted to be working with Rover on the styling of their range of cars. Fashion and cars have always been closely associated. Let’s face it – cars are the ultimate fashion accessory!"

John Sanders, MG Rover Group Marketing Director, said: "The combined association of Rover and leading British design talent provides an exciting prospect for our Rover customers. The Monogram programme brings customers the ability to express their individuality through their own car."

Note to Editors

Photographs of Matthew Williamson and Erin O’Connor are available on the media website.

Matthew Williamson graduated from Central St. Martins in 1994. The company was formed in September 1996 by Matthew Williamson and business partner, Joseph Velosa. In September 1997, Matthew Williamson was included on the London Fashion Week catwalk schedule for the first time. The collection, entitled ‘Electric Angels’, consisted of bias cut dresses and separates in shots of fuchsia, tangerine and magenta, off-set with sharp black tailoring and super soft cashmere knits. Eleven outfits were presented on models such as Kate Moss, Jade Jagger and Helena Christensen.

The press reaction was instant, with front-page coverage in The Times and the Evening Standard newspapers. The collection was sold to 10 of the world’s finest designer stores and secured major fashion editorial in publications such as French and American Vogue, Australian Harper’s Bazaar and virtually all British fashion titles. Two further collections entitled, ‘Future Heirloom’ and ‘Disco Zen’ followed and helped to build Matthew Williamson into one of the most exciting designer talents to watch in London.

The A/W 99 collection, ‘Glomad’, was presented to an audience of 700 in February 1999 and sealed Matthew Williamson’s emerging reputation as one of the top fashion designer companies in London. The show was sponsored by ‘MOTOROLA’ and featured the exclusive appearance in London of Amber Valletta and Naomi Campbell. The front row guests included Anna Wintour, Manolo Blahnik and Mario Testino, along with celebrities such as Sadie Frost, Jude Law and Elizabeth Hurley.

Following ‘Glomad’ were two further collections, ‘Exotikarma’ and ‘Ignight’, which pushed the development of the Matthew Williamson signature look of colourful, feminine and subtly sexy women’s wear, and saw an increase in retail outlets to a presence on every continent. S/S 2000, was entitled Candy Girls. The collection sold to over 80 stores worldwide and has secured major editorial coverage in titles such as US Vogue, Elle and Harper’s Bazaar. Regular celebrity clients now include Nicole Kidman, Madonna and Julia Roberts.

‘Wonderland’, the collection for A/W 2001 was shown in February 2001 at the Saatchi Gallery in London. Immediate news response was very positive and the collection proved popular with celebrities such as Goldie Hawn and Kate Hudson, who both wore Matthew Williamson to the BAFTAs. Front row celebrities at the show included Minnie Driver, Cat Deeley, Helena Christensen and Jerry Hall.

The latest collection, S/S 2002, is called ‘Nu-Topia’. With this, Matthew launched his exciting new menswear, babywear and homewear ranges. The collection received fantastic press the following days and the collection has sold well internationally.