Chris Bangle

Car Designer / Italy / Chris Bangle Associates

www.chrisbangleassociates.com

A daring designer whose work has provoked endless discussion, Chris Bangle is best known for his tenure as Chief of Design for the BMW group, where he was responsible for bringing the designs of the BMW, Mini Cooper, and Rolls Royce into the 21st century.

A graduate of the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, CA, Bangle began his career at Opel, and then moved on to Fiat, where he designed the brazen Coupe Fiat. In 1992, he was named the first American Chief of Design at BMW.

Bangle has had a far-reaching impact on the automotive industry. His mandate to “strategize emotion“ through design energized a typically conservative brand, updating BMW’s classic design with bold, sculptural lines, a far cry from homogenous car design. As a result, his daring designs have helped BMW become the global leader in premium car sales and brought in legions of new fans, spurring rivals to follow suit in emulating his distinctive style. During his time at BMW, Bangle introduced GINA, an experimental concept roadster that seeks to replace a fiberglass skin with a one of fabric that can change the shape and aerodynamics of the car.

After pushing car design language to its limits for 28 years, Bangle is currently pursuing design-related endeavors from his studio in Italy, focusing on new ideas and cutting-edge innovation.

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