Lovefrom taking on the supercar sector.

COMMENTARY+

By HEAT+

14.10.24

“PERHAPS I’D LIKE TO DESIGN CARS, BUT I DON’T THINK I’D BE MUCH GOOD AT IT.”

In the world of design, few names resonate as profoundly as Jony Ive. The architect behind the iconic iPhone and a master of minimalism, Ive’s visionary touch has shaped more than just technology—it has redefined the way we interact with everyday objects. Alongside his long-time collaborator, Marc Newson, the duo have now set their sights on a new frontier: Ferrari.

Beyond Boundaries: The Collaborative Brilliance of LoveFrom

Ive’s journey to becoming one of the most celebrated designers of our time is rooted in his early life. His father, Michael Ive, a highly respected educationalist, played a pivotal role in nurturing Jony’s creativity. An expert in technical drawing and design, Michael encouraged his son to embrace his unique way of seeing the world, helping him navigate the challenges of dyslexia from a young age. This support allowed Jony to turn what could have been a limitation into a powerful asset, giving him the freedom to think differently and break conventional rules.

Both Jony and his former partner at Apple, Steve Jobs, were neurodiverse, and their dyslexia helped them see possibilities others might have missed. Together, they created revolutionary products that transformed the world, proving that neurodiversity is not only an advantage but often a key ingredient in extraordinary innovation.

Now, in a groundbreaking move, the creative collective LoveFrom, founded by Ive and Newson in 2019, has embarked on a multi-year partnership with Exor, the holding company led by the illustrious Agnelli family. This alliance will not only include Ferrari, one of the world’s most prestigious automotive brands, but also span across Exor’s other luxury ventures, signaling a bold, multidisciplinary collaboration.

At the heart of LoveFrom is a collective model that perfectly suits the creative ethos of Ive and Newson. Comprised of a diverse array of designers, architects, musicians, filmmakers, writers, engineers, and artists, LoveFrom thrives on the belief that great design emerges from a collaborative, cross-disciplinary environment. For Ive, who spent over two decades at Apple fostering a culture of seamless teamwork, and Newson, whose portfolio spans everything from furniture to aircraft design, the collective model allows them to transcend the boundaries of any single discipline.

For Ive and Newson, this collaboration represents an opportunity to rethink what an electric supercar can be. Their approach will not only focus on the aesthetics of Ferrari’s first EV but also on creating a seamless experience between form and function, something they’ve mastered through decades of groundbreaking design work. The goal is to maintain Ferrari's legacy of speed, craftsmanship, and luxury while embracing the sustainability and technological advancements that come with electrification.

“EVERY NEW CAR, YOU OPEN THE DOOR, AND YOU LOOK AT ALL THOSE INTERNAL MELLIFLUOUS SWOOPY BITS, AND THEY HAVE NO MEANING.”

LoveFrom will work closely with Ferrari’s in-house design team, led by Flavio Manzoni, to ensure the new EV captures the brand's timeless elegance and cutting-edge engineering. By fusing Ferrari’s legendary performance with LoveFrom’s innovative spirit, the partnership aims to define the next chapter of automotive design—one where high performance meets sustainability in an era where technology and design are more intertwined than ever.

This model, a fusion of individual brilliance and collective innovation, empowers Ive and Newson to take on projects that require a convergence of creative fields. As LoveFrom moves from Silicon Valley to the world of luxury, the collaborative structure ensures that they can explore new territories with Ferrari and beyond, leveraging the strengths of their entire network. The collective’s multidisciplinary approach will be crucial in reimagining Ferrari’s design language as it moves into the era of electric vehicles, starting with their EV line, set for debut by 2025.

“An important, long-term collaboration,” said Ive and Newson, commenting on their partnership with Exor and Ferrari. “We see some uniquely exciting opportunities working together, which we believe will yield important and valuable work.” These sentiments underscore the weight of this collaboration—one where Ferrari’s legendary performance will merge seamlessly with LoveFrom’s boundless creativity, overseen by Ferrari’s design director, Flavio Manzoni.

Beyond Ferrari, the LoveFrom collective is expected to explore a broader range of ventures within Exor’s diverse luxury portfolio. From Juventus, Italy’s celebrated football team, to the high fashion allure of Shang Xia, and the media powerhouse of The Economist, this partnership opens the door to a fascinating intersection of design, technology, and culture.

For years, Ive and Newson have worked at the convergence of form and function, constantly blurring the boundaries between design, art, and engineering. The collective model amplifies this approach, encouraging experimentation and dialogue across fields, uniting creative thinkers to produce world-changing ideas. As LoveFrom steps into this new chapter at Exor, they are poised to bring their minimalist magic and cross-disciplinary brilliance to an even broader canvas.

So, will we be seeing the dynamic duo getting stuck into Juventus?! Given their recent outlay, a rebrand is unlikely, but will LoveFrom’s genius leave its mark on the Italian giants? If the partnership with Ferrari is anything to go by, Exor is set to further exploit the daring elegance that defines everything Ive and Newson touch.

There’s also a message here for the neurodiverse community - Jony Ive’s journey from a child navigating dyslexia to one of the most influential designers of our time proves that neurodiverse minds hold extraordinary potential. His success illustrates that such challenges, which have crushed so many, can become potent tools for exceptional innovation.