Not too long ago, designer Luc Donckerwolke abruptly quit Bentley for reasons still unknown. Now, he’ll be designing for Hyundai.
Donckerwolke is joining the automaker to head its design team for both Hyundai and Kia brands, Motoring.com.au reports. Per insiders, his hiring will allow for smooth transitions into the company’s culture for Donckerwolke, and the retirement of current design chief Peter Schreyer in 2017.
Both designers made their mark on the industry in a large fashion. Schreyer’s biggest claims to fame are the Audi TT in 1998 and Kia’s “Tiger Nose” design language, while Donckerwolke helmed Lamborghini’s design studio at the time of the Gallardo’s debut in 2003.
Following Donckerwolke’s sudden departure, Bentley appointed Stefan Sielaff to be its head designer. Sielaff’s recent work includes the interior of the Mercedes C-Class, and heading Audi’s design studio.
[Photo credit: Bentley]
So turtlenecks are stylish now? Or does he have a hickey?
With apologize to Doctor Who – I wear a turtleneck now, turtlenecks are cool.
See, I had no idea. I haven’t seen someone male wear a turtleneck in person since 1994.
That’s a nice turtleneck you have there.
Tell me, do they MAKE THEM FOR MEN?!
Seriously, it can’t be any later than 1997 that I have seen anyone wearing a turtleneck.
I would never wear a turtleneck, I hate the way they feel, and to me they look like some Frasier wardrobe reject from early-mid 90’s.
Also white draws out the bold pinstripe of the jacket, which is also too bold for any date past 2004. Unless you’re a Southern Baptist preacher.
Well what else can I wear to the revival?
LOL
Church of 3800 Collezione
You will be blessed every time you put it on, my son.
I don’t think that bold pinstripe needs any help from the white turtleneck.
Or British.
Or a sales manager at a Hyundai dealership…
Watch out. The last thread where we critiqued the dudes hair, things got hairy.
New design boss – great.
In the past they’ve just copied everyone else’s designs ;)
Where else to come than to a car site to get fashion advice from a bunch of guys that probably dress like Jeremy Clarkson.
Can I not have fun? And I dress more like Richard Hammond. Not that I am fashionable or anything. I just try to buy well made stuff that is made in the US.
I have a feeling he drinks Dos Equis.
Mandalorian – more like Larry the cable guy.
Excellent! He owns a comb! He’s not trying at age 40+ to look like a 20-something hipster metrosexual!
turf3 – but he looks metrosexual……. can we say that without incurring the wrath of the right or left?
Metrosexual, what is it, 2006? If you’re not rocking the lumbersexual look now you have no business being a designer of anything.
Whatnext – lumbersexual? I’m definitely out of touch :)
Is that a well dressed dude with a lotta wood in the shorts?
Goody. What with the former Audi design guy making Kias look like Audis, this bodes well for Hyundai, whose cars look as though they’ve warped under the sun.
Donckerwolke will be taking over Schreyer’s groupwide design responsibility when Schreyer retires in 2017.
So when he makes Hyundais and Kias look like Bentleys, will he be all mad about it?
I wonder the difference in business card quality between Bentley and Hyundai. I picture the Bentley ones as thick, and coated in cowhide.
And now I totally want cowhide business cards. I need to make this happen.
I have LOTS of good ridiculous ideas like this.
They’d have to be simulated leather. Wouldn’t want PETA upset.
Unless politically incorrect is your game….. then you’d need seal pup fur business cards.
THANK YOU!
The next Equus better not look even remotely like a Bentley or else it’s going to make his previous statement really rich.
YOU GOT DONCKERWOLKED
COTD
He heard he MIGHT get to work with Mr. Derek Kreindler!
Well let’s get Derek some Hyundai monogrammed turtlenecks.
Made of durable, but very grey cloth.
What an awful picture. One would think design guys would have some say/taste over what is released.
I fear for Hyundai if he did.
He better be careful what he says about Hyundai design language, lest he ends up working for Daewoo.
Ha, this might become a traumatic experience for Volkswagen to lose their designers to the Korean competition.
They’re still kicking themselves in Wolfsburg over allowing Schreyer to go to Hyundai/Kia,and now Donckerwolke.
This guy has some remarkable designs under his belt, not just the Gallardo, but also the Murcielago (the cleanest, most elegant and most timeless hypercar design of them all, unless it is spoiled by silly rear wings and such) and the Audi A2 from the beginning of the 1990s — a car that even today looks like it’s just been brought to market.
And yes, under Donckerwolke, Hyundai’s design language will change. Donckerwolke seems to be heavily influenced by the Bauhaus philosophy of design — very clean, simple, uncluttered lines; no unnecessary ornamentation; a very practical, no frills design approach. Hyundai’s design team will be in for quite a change…… *heh heh*
Shaken, not stirred… all he needs is a pipe, clenched between teeth… Playboy After Dark…