ARTISANS UNITE!
CARLEX AND VO SET SAIL FOR NEW ADVENTURES TOGETHER
From his earliest memories, Damian, the founder of Carlex, has been drawn to the artistry of fine craftsmanship. ?Now, having established Carlex as one of the world’s finest creators of unique vehicles, new possibilities emerge through its collaboration with VO.
Damian’s passion has always been rooted in the art of fine craftsmanship. As a boy growing up in Poland, he dreamed of owning his own workshop, filled with tools for leather-craft, carpentry, and metalwork. Today, he is the CEO of a renowned studio, leading a team of designers and artisans who create luxury upholstery for the automotive, aviation, and marine ?industries. Yet, of all the inspirations that have shaped him over the years, one moment stands out above the rest.
“I recall, as if it were yesterday, the moment I read about the most beautiful rifle I had ever seen – a handcrafted piece with a falcon motif. It was perfection incarnate, its proportions, colors, and reliefs a true feast for the senses,” Damian explains.
These were the early days of the company, just a few years after Carlex was founded. He spent every waking hour dreaming of integrating exquisite craftsmanship and jewelry into automotive design, creating unique cars for a select few. A decade later, he found himself designing the ultimate collector’s car for connoisseurs of fine craftsmanship – the Mercedes G63. Its defining feature would be a hand-relief-carved roof. They named it G-Falcon.
It’s easy to understand where the inspiration for the falcon motif came from—this remarkable rifle from my past ignited a spark that led us to sketch the image of this magnificent bird, the king of the skies, revered as sacred in some cultures. It was clear that both the Swedes and the Poles shared the same passion for culture and craftsmanship.
“As we prepared for a photoshoot, I thought it would be splendid to invite Mr. Ulf Olsson, the owner of VO and the creator of the VO Falcon rifle, to join us. In an extraordinary turn of fate, my invitation was accepted, and Ulf even decided to bring the one and only VO Falcon rifle, allowing us to capture a collaborative photoshoot featuring both the car and the rifle,” Damian continues. And soon, the mutual venture of the ‘Falcon Fellowship’ began.
At the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition 2024, an unparalleled opportunity soon arose to acquire these two exquisite items together. Individually, they were extraordinary. Together, they formed an exclusive collection, almost as remarkable as the predator itself. It didn’t take long for the duo to realize that many others were eager to acquire such a rare collector’s item; craftsmanship born from the same grand ambition to create something never seen before.
This was the prologue to a brilliant revelation. The VO and Carlex brands had to join forces again – it was written in the Arabian sky. Soon, sketches began to take shape for new One-of-One concepts that would embody astonishing levels of craftsmanship, featuring exquisite techniques in metal, leather, wood, and jewelry. So be prepared for the unexpected. When true artisans unite, everything is possible.