Autoblog

For those customers who appreciate fine craftsmanship, opening the trunk of their new six-figure Italian GT can provide nearly as much excitement as the car itself. Okay, maybe not that much, but the custom fitted luggage found in the boot of The Boot's most exquisite touring cars has an appeal all its own. Ferrari has been at it for years with Schedoni leathercrafters, but with Maserati coming into its own, the Trident marque needed to offer its customers something special to put in the trunk. So they hitched up with one of the biggest names in the Italian fashion industry: Salvatore Ferragamo, a company best known for providing Hollywood with their red-carpet footwear.

The partnership was initially announced with the launch of the GranTurismo at the Geneva auto show - you'll forgive us if we missed it, we were a little preoccupied with the car itself. In any event, the joint venture between the two stoic Italian crafthouses just launched a new website highlighting the range of custom fitted leather luggage.

Follow the link for more information or the jump for the press release.

[Source: Salvatore Ferragamo via Italiaspeed]

You've gotta love Neiman Marcus. As far as upscale department stores go, it's a motoring enthusiast's best friend. The high-end retail chain has been responsible for bringing the world – or a handful of moneyed clients, at least – a host of special edition automobiles that have included Neiman Marcus-edition BMWs, Lexus, Maseratis, Aston Martins, even "his and hers" 1970 Ford Thunderbirds.

For the upcoming Spring fashion season, Neiman Marcus has identified the driving moccasin as one of the top men's trends. The truth is that they've been a staple for roadster-driving playboys for decades. They're lightweight, comfortable and stylish – nothing says "I've got money and don't need to walk anywhere" like a driving loafer. That's to say nothing, of course, of the anthro-mechanical benefit that the narrow footprint and flexible sole give a driver for easy heel-and-toe pedal work.

Neiman Marcus has a selection of some of the finest Italian driving mocs from Gucci, Prada, Salvatore Ferragamo and Tod's on their website, along with a few others, but thanks to the fashion slaves who've made them popular for this season, you should have no trouble finding a pair to suit your taste. (Just don't think about wearing them before the snow melts.)

[Source: Neiman Marcus via Luxist]