Car "Couture" at Newport Concours d’Elegance

What do an exquisite 1930 Pierce Arrow, a 2010 monster pick-up truck (psychedelically painted), and an evening gown by Coco Chanel have in common?

Answer: they’re all hallmarks of the status and taste of their times, and emblems of wealth and exclusivity. Mark Hurwitz, the Director of the fifth annual Newport Concours d’Elegance, spoke to a group of journalists at a private luncheon preceding the car show, and wove the intriguing strands of fashion and privilege among the three, all of which were decidedly on view at the two-day event, held recently at Fort Adams State Park in Newport, Rhode Island.

The Concours d’Elegance historically dates back to 17th century French aristocracy, who paraded in horse-drawn carriages in the parks of Paris during summer weekends and holidays. Over time, the carriages became horseless, and the gatherings became a competition among owners to be judged on the appearance of their automobiles. And for les femmes, on the appearance of their couturier garments and hats. It was a deluge of one-upsmanship (not translatable into French.)

Mark Hurwitz with a classic

This year, Mark Hurwitz actually extended the parameters of the classic car show, wherein collectors maintain vintage vehicles to polish and utter perfection. He chose to admit emerging 21st century car fashion: a lithium battery-powered Tesla high-performance sports car that has no exhaust pipe because it burns no fuel; a new Dodge Charger with 1300 horsepower and custom modifications:; and an early 1900's motorcycle, to be ridden in a cross country race by restorer Sean Brayton. What the classicists will make of this turning has yet to be determined.

In the early part of the 20th century, the nascence of the automotive culture, car owners would often ask to have their cars designed by their fashion designer. Car frames were often made of wood, which could be more easily formed to fit the fashion. Sometimes clothing was created to match the automobile itself, in a veritable orgy of design.

Ancillary events included a vintage car cavalcade, and an evening Auto Salon, with cocktails and dinner at a mansion in Newport featuring a fashion show of original chic Coco Chanel couture from the Art Deco period.

As for the 2010 oversized monster truck, equipped with a train horn which will thrill small children and terrify dogs, it is being snapped up by celebrities such as Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore, and highly paid professional athletes. Simply because they can. Just like in 1930, when the Pierce Arrows, as well as the Duesenbergs, the Packards, the Peerlesses and the Rolls Royces were custom built by owners who could.

It was a Concours for our times.