Bridge Of Weir Proudly Supports Royal College Of Art ‘Concours Of The Future' Design Exhibition At Salon Privé 2013

Company press release.

• Exclusive new automotive designs released by the Royal College of Art

Bridge of Weir, Scotland, 12th September 2013 – Bridge of Weir Leather Company joined forces with the UK's premiere boutique luxury automotive event last week, Salon Privé London, which played host to a unique design competition – the Royal College of Art 'Concours of the Future'.

A new and exciting addition to Salon Privé for 2013, the 'Concours of the Future' exhibition sees a group of talented undergraduates from the RCA's Vehicle Design programme tasked to revisit some historic Concours-winning cars and re-design these icons for the modern world and beyond. Eleven students were selected to showcase their work at Salon Privé, from nearly 40 original entries.

Judging of the Concours of the Future designs took place in the Great Hall at Syon House, the home of Salon Privé, by a distinguished panel of some of the world's leading automotive designers including Marek Reichman (Aston Martin), David Woodhouse (Ford), Victor Muller (Spyker) and Peter Stevens (RCA).

Hosting the exhibition and prize-giving ceremony, Peter Horbury, Vice-President, Design for Geely (Volvo parent company), said: 'This is a fantastic opportunity for design students to showcase their work to the automotive world. The work we've seen is both exceptional and brave, and I can imagine these designs featuring on the lawns here for real in future years.'

Joining Peter Horbury in the prize-giving, Bridge of Weir sales director, Jamie Davidson, said: 'This is a great opportunity for the students of the Royal College of Art's Automotive Design programme, and also an opportunity for Bridge of Weir to meet with the world's best designers – both present and future. We are very proud to be involved with this brilliant initiative and congratulate all of the entrants on their exceptional designs. From where I'm standing, the future looks very bright indeed, and I look forward to being back with Salon Privé and the RCA next year.'

Three prize-winners were selected by the judging panel for their 'Concours of the Future' designs of the Nardi Bisiluro (1st prize), Ferrari P2045 (2nd) and Bugatti Type 35 (3rd), with the designers each presented with trophies designed exclusively for Bridge of Weir (and featuring the Scottish low carbon leather) by Karen Clulow. Prize winners were also presented with a magnum of Pommery champagne each, with the overall winner invited to Milan for a behind-the-scenes tour and design master-class with Andrea Zagato at the Zagato Design Studio.

Bridge of Weir Leather Company is the UK's only leather manufacturer for the automotive industry, and as part of the Scottish Leather Group operates one of the largest tanneries in Europe exporting to over 60 countries around the world.