Munich. To celebrate the 100th birthday of legendary artist Roy Lichtenstein (1923 – 1997), BMW M Motorsport has teamed up with PUMA to present an exclusive collection that brings the magic and allure of Le Mans and the BMW Art Cars onto the road and into wardrobes. As one of the key figures in the pop art movement, Lichtenstein played a defining role in the art scene of the 1950s and 60s with his comic-strip inspired works. In 1977 he came up with a masterpiece on wheels as part of the BMW Art Car project. And the BMW 320i Turbo bearing his artistic signature wasted no time in recording class victory in the 24 Hours of Le Mans race that year. Lichtenstein’s design, featuring the “Ben Day dots” that became a personal hallmark, depicted a landscape appearing to move over its bodywork. The sun and cloud imagery in various colours adorning the doors of the car reference the 24-hour duration of this storied fixture of the motor racing calendar.
Inspired by the sports car’s unique makeover, the “Ben Day dots” can be found on all the items in the BMW Art Car Capsule Collection in tandem with a vibrant colour palette. Each garment in the strictly limited-run special edition range has been carefully crafted and enthuses with expressive design elements that take their cues from the Lichtenstein 320i Turbo. The collection therefore represents a tribute to the celebrated artist, who always sought to blur the conventional dividing lines between high art and low art. It pieces together a full outfit made up of jacket, sweatpants, T-shirt, cap and PUMA Suede sneakers.
The BMW M MOTORSPORT RL BOMBER JACKET catches the eye with an all-over print inspired by Roy Lichtenstein, BMW M Motorsport branding and an embroidered PUMA logo on the chest. A ribbed collar, side pockets and colour-coordinated press studs combine with the jacket’s casual fit to create a sporting appearance.
The BMW M MOTORSPORT RL SWEATPANTS echo the relaxed cut of the jacket and complement its sporty look with closed cuffs and Roy Lichtenstein appliqués on both sides of the legs. The sweatpants, made from 70 per cent cotton and 30 per cent recycled cotton, come in an energising green tone and have a woven BMW M Motorsport logo on the back. Handy side pockets enhance their everyday practicality.
With a large BMW Art Car print on the back and discreet details like the PUMA cat logo on the chest and a BMW M Motorsport flag label on the side seam, the BMW M MOTORSPORT RL T-SHIRT makes a powerful visual statement. Produced from 70 per cent cotton and 30 per cent recycled cotton, this white T-shirt is extremely comfortable to wear.
Also finished in timeless white, the BMW M MOTORSPORT RL CAP puts smiles on faces with its striking, Roy Lichtenstein-inspired front print. The five-panel baseball cap is also adorned by a woven BMW M Motorsport logo on the side and an embroidered PUMA cat logo on the back. An adjustable, premium-quality metal clasp ensures a secure fit on any head.
The BMW M MOTORSPORT RL SNEAKER rounds off the collection. Based on the PUMA Suede, a true icon of the sneaker world that has set hearts beating a little faster for 50 years now, this shoe impresses with intricate embroidered graphics on the inner side, woven PUMA Formstrips on both sides and graphic detailing on the inside of the tongue. The Puma logo badge on the front is complemented by a BMW metal pin on the heel – a detail that highlights the exclusivity of the sneaker with just a hint of understatement.
The BMW Art Car Collection by Roy Lichtenstein from BMW M Motorsport and PUMA will be available from now on via the BMW Online Shop at lifestyle.bmw.com, at selected PUMA stores and at PUMA.com, priced as follows:
BMW M MOTORSPORT RL BOMBER JACKET, sizes S–XXL – € 200
BMW M MOTORSPORT RL SWEATPANTS, sizes S–XXL – € 120
BMW M MOTORSPORT RL T-SHIRT, sizes S–XXL – € 70
BMW M MOTORSPORT RL CAP, one size – € 50
BMW M MOTORSPORT RL SNEAKER, sizes 39–46 – € 120
