Audi 2007 Annual Report Download - page 103

ilippo Perini expertly runs the finely-structured
material through his hands. He grasps it, rubs it be-
tween his fingers and strokes the surface. It is supple,
elastic, soft yet firm to the touch, with an incomparable
fragrance you can almost taste: This is leather, soon to be
draped across the dashboard of a Gallardo or adorning the
roof lining of a Murciélago.
Filippo Perini is chief designer at the Lamborghini factory in
Sant’Agata Bolognese. He regularly drops by the leather work-
shop. This is where his visions and ideas come to life. The
smell of leather floats over the workbenches, seeps in through
the door and window frames of the “selleria” (upholstery
workshop). At Lamborghini this is an especially important
department, as stated by Manfred Fitzgerald, Director of
Brand & Design: “Our clients love the high-quality material
and, most of all, the individual workmanship.”
Draped over high rails are huge skins, in bright yellow, acid
green, orange, black, white and magenta. Color matching is
one of the designers’ biggest challenges. The interiors and
bodywork need to be perfectly harmonized. “We also coordi-
nate the colors of the seat belts and stitching,” explains Perini.
The initial design calls for innovation, while the later stages
of the process have more to do with craftsmanship. “It’s the
little things that cause the problems. We have to work the
leather so it can be combined with other components,” says
Perini. There is practically nothing on a dashboard that can’t
be upholstered. For example, the whole structure can be cov-
ered with leather, even tiny details such as the individual slats
of the air vents or the switch panels. In the work area, all you
can hear is the cutting of knives, the clatter of scissors and the
Right
Two worlds, one passion:
Lamborghini’s chief designer
Filippo Perini (right) and
shoemaker László Vass both
share a passion for working
with leather.
Left
It’s a question of feel:
Lamborghini leather, lovingly
finished by hand, must be
absolutely flawless.
F