Fashion guru a Citroen DS ambassador

Adrian Hailwood, is a new Citroen DS ambassador. He's driving a black DS5. Photo / Ted Baghurst.

Adrian Hailwood has had his own fashion label, Hailwood, for 14 years, with his range stocked throughout New Zealand, Australia, USA and UK.

What do you drive?
A very sexy DS5 by Citroen in black, or Noir Perla Nera is its fancy colour name.

How did you become a Citroen DS ambassador?
I met Simon Rose, division manager at Sime Darby Automobiles NZ, and discussed the possibilities of working together. Several months later I'm now the ambassador for the prestigious DS line. We are working on a number of exciting projects together over the next 12 months, starting with this year's New Zealand Fashion Week.

Are there similarities between car design and fashion design?
Yes I think so. With fashion you are striving to create designs that are not only wearable but hold a sense of well thought-out design and style that sets them apart from others. In the case of the DS line I feel this is the same in the sense that they are a luxury to drive and easy on the eye.

Are you inspired by car designs, ie the DS range?
I have a couple of designs in the fashion week show that work in with the shape and design of the DS5 ... lots of sexy curves and a little dark streak.

What was your first car?
Mitsubishi Gallant Colt in beige, it ran on CNG and cost $12 to fill.

What was your last car?
1990 Saab 900 turbo convertible in navy.

Who taught you to drive?
My dad started to but I ended up having driving school lessons.

Most memorable road trip in New Zealand?
I drove down the West Coast of the South Island one Christmas holidays with friends in a 1965 Mercedes-Benz, it was like driving a big old comfy couch. It blew up at Franz Josef Glacier so we had to have it towed to the next town. It cost a small fortune to get it going only to blow up again out of Queenstown on the leg back up the east coast.

Most memorable road trip overseas?
I love the drive out to Portsea around the other side of Port Melbourne: the vineyards, hot pools and the sea right by the road is such a great drive and at the end is a little seaside village with a big old hotel with small cottages to hire and fishing is the best here.

What do you listen to when driving?
I love old school blues and rock.

Great day trip out of Auckland?
Any direction is good but a close trip is to Piha and Karekare beaches on the West Coast. I love the rugged coastline and black sand.

What irritates you most about other drivers?
People who don't share the road.

Celebrity you'd most like to be your driving companion for a road trip?
Yoko Ono (gotta love her) or my mum ... I'd love to drive somewhere sunny with just her.

- As told to Liz Dobson

Giveaway now closed

We have a double pass to give away for the Hailwood show at this year's NZ Fashion Week, at 6.30pm, August 28. To be in to win, email us what Adrian now drives to

driven@apn.co.nz

. with your name, address and phone number

by Monday, August 11

.