Winning design inspired by hot summer afternoons

Winning design by Rory Allan

Second place: Hazel Davies – Visiting Checkers

Third place: Mandy Brest – Vesbugged

Allan submitted more than one design, but it was his striking Ice Cream creation that caught the eye of Francesco Maffe, international designer for Piaggio Italy, and judge of Art Vespa. The design took him three hours to complete.

When asked what motivated him to enter, Allan replied “Our creative director presented the competition to all the creatives at Ripe Design and urged us to enter. It's an out of the ordinary canvas for designers that got my creative juices flowing almost immediately.”

The inspiration for his design was South Africa's hot summer afternoons. “I sat down and thought of why it's great to own a Vespa. The first thing that popped into my mind was the wind blowing through your hair on a sweltering afternoon. Almost as refreshing as an ice cream.”

To Allan, Vespa is synonymous with carefree living, summer holidays and good times with those who are important in your life. “It symbolises a laid-back lifestyle, where life is about more than work. It's about experiencing and being part of the world. And ice cream of course.”

A record number of 252 entries were received for the 2008 competition, a 40% increase from last year. Watch out for the 2009 competition later this year. You too could become part of the la dolce vita lifestyle and scoot around on your own Art Vespa in the near future.

For more information, go to www.vespa.co.za.