Embodying the essence of Italian design and engineering excellence, Vespa is known for their stylish appearance, fuel efficiency, and exceptional performance while also symbolizing Italian charm. Steve Watts, owner of the Vespa Naples dealership, sought to emphasize this charming characteristic and expand his outreach by initiating a new kind of collaboration with local artists.
Vespa Naples, Florida, is proud to announce an exclusive collaboration with local artists to introduce a limited-edition Vespa scooter. This unique initiative celebrates the rich cultural heritage and artistic talent within the Naples community, infusing the classic Italian design of Vespa scooters with the local flavor of its arts and culture leaders. Each scooter in this special edition will feature customized artwork, making it a one-of-a-kind masterpiece that reflects the vibrancy and creativity of Florida's art scene while also acting as an artwork on wheels.
This initiative not only highlights Vespa Naples's commitment to innovation and design excellence but also supports the local arts community by providing a platform for artists to showcase their work. Customers can look forward to owning a piece of functional art that stands out on the road, synthesizing both the spirit of Naples and the timeless elegance of Vespa.
While searching for his first artist collaborator, Steve was introduced to Carmelo Blandino, a local Italian American master artist who epitomizes the essence of Italian culture. Born to Sicilian parents in Tübingen, Germany, Carmelo spent his adolescence between Montreal, Canada and Modica, Sicily which equipped him with an international appreciation for art and culture. Trained as an illustrator, Blandino’s oeuvre includes impressive career growth, renowned for his impressionistic marks with pop culture appeal.
Carmelo’s approach to this project was to be eye-catching, aesthetic, and to have fun. He’s had a love affair with Vespa scooters ever since they came onto the market, citing that most Italian families owned multiple scooters. Designing for Vespa has become a dream come true for this Italian, not only for their ecological mission, but because they’re super fun.
Carmelo Blandino enjoys supporting other artists, and when he was initially brought onto the project, he had an amazing idea to include another creative into the mix to create a full lifestyle experience for this collaboration. Friend and fellow designer Allison Pezzuti is the owner and creative powerhouse behind her company Pelerine.
Pelerine adorns iconic women and men in love with 100% silk made in Italy. This natural fabric from nature acts as a conduit, connecting the wearer with the divine universe of magic and wonder. Designer Allison Pezzuti fulfills her lifelong desire to create a clothing line that makes people feel beautiful, seen, and boldly expressed. Inspired by the confident individuals from her adolescence, Pezzuti was influenced by the way these personalities embellished themselves in larger-than-life beautiful clothes that expressed their individuality, elegance, and stature.
Excited about this collaboration, Allison’s collection of scarves and handkerchiefs will be available for both women and men to stylishly adorn themselves as they cruise the streets on their customized Vespa. Pezzuti’s exclusive selections for this project are designs from her library that include a wide spectrum of influences. From textiles inspired by Mexican drawings on bark paper to prints influenced by 100-year-old embroidery to designs evoking vintage 70s floral patterns.
It's Allison’s intention and mission to bring light and love to anything she does, spreading joy through one-of-a-kind accouterments that bring smiles to faces. This philosophy is echoed in Carmelo’s artistry, painting from a place of passion and joy, sharing his light with every patron and collector.
The Blandino Vespa Limited Edition scooters will be available for a limited time, offering enthusiasts the chance to own a unique piece of art and transportation. Stop by the Vespa Naples showroom to experience these exclusive designs in-person and to learn more about our collaboration with Carmelo and Allison. We very much look forward to working with him on this unique and fun partnership. For every Pelerine piece purchased, another is donated to the Cancer Alliance Network program.
Photography by Carlos Gonzalez, Audrey Owen of Owen Collective, and Karl Rouwhorst of Luminaire Foto
