NEW YORK — Marc Ecko is taking Nissan for a ride.
The designer has teamed up with Nissan North America Inc. to modify two Nissan SUVs — the Nissan Pathfinder and Nissan Armada — giving each a new design inspired by his Ecko Unltd. and Cut & Sew clothing lines. The two one-of-a-kind vehicles will be displayed at events across the country following a formal unveiling here in October.
“Side by side, these two vehicles share a design heritage, yet each has its own distinct character,” Ecko said. “My goal is to take that character to the next level and to express the vehicles’ individuality through bold, original design and superior execution.”
The vehicles are being customized by Will Castro at Unique Auto Sport on Long Island.
The Ecko Unltd. Pathfinder is customized with a black-and-gray camouflage paint job with bright orange detailing. Inside, driver and passenger seats are given a Sixties redesign, with molded wood backs and seamless black leather. Extra touches include a matching wood steering wheel and a hand-molded fiberglass subwoofer enclosure.
The Cut & Sew Armada comes with a cream Landau roof, custom moon-baby–inspired hubs, white-wall tires and safety-orange side panels. The interior is cream and tan calfskin with heavy contrast stitching on the steering wheel, door panels and dashboard, a briefcase–inspired glove box and an encased subwoofer with heavy-duty straps and buckles. Other special features include roadster-style gauges, metal gas and brake pedals and a wireless communications system.
In addition to the two custom vehicles, Ecko will launch limited-edition, co-branded hooded jackets, woven button-downs, T-shirts, leather key chains and other items that will be given away at events and sold online through nissan.eckoun
ltd.com. Proceeds from these sales will benefit Sweat Equity Enterprises, a nonprofit organization that empowers young people to learn professional design and technology skills while working behind the scenes in leading design companies.