• by Tanya Gazdik , October 13, 2022

Photo by Holly Parker

Lexus is partnering with fashion designer Harris Reed to reimagine Dorothy's ruby red slippers in automotive form on the rims of the all-new 2023 Lexus RX. 

The special wheel covers were revealed Wednesday night at W Magazine’s 50th anniversary party in New York. 

Complete with gloss-sealed glitter, a polished ruby red Lexus logo, and LED lights, these rims echo the famous shoes from “The Wizard of Oz" with a modern twist. 

Under license from Warner Bros. Consumer Products, the concept celebrates the automaker’s redesign of its bestselling, most iconic vehicle, the all-new 2023 Lexus RX. 

Lexus recently unveiled a campaign for its RX SUV with a similarly themed spot. The 30-second general market spot, "Unfollow” from Team One is a reimagining of “The Wizard of Oz.” 

The effort encourages drivers to explore the road less traveled and to forge one's own path. Creative imagines what if, in “The Wizard of Oz,” Dorothy had ignored the advice to “follow the yellow brick road” and took the road less traveled instead?

In creating the “Ruby Red Rims,” Reed took inspiration from two of the signature hats in his recent Spring 2023 ready-to-wear collection. The backs of the rims are made of solid aluminum and feature gloss-sealed glitter.

“As a gender-fluid designer, I’ve always been fueled and inspired by choosing the path less traveled,” Reeds says in a release. “With the bold new design of the Lexus RX and the cinematic Hollywood classic, “The Wizard of Oz,” I took inspiration from the literal interpretation of choosing your own path and pursuing a new journey down the red brick road, with a nod to the film’s iconic ruby slippers and my own designs.” 

The ”Ruby Red Rims” RX will make additional appearances throughout the country later this year and next.

With “The Wizard of Oz” as a foundation for the launch spot, Lexus began to explore ways to connect the wheels to Dorothy’s ruby red slippers, says Vinay Shahani, vice president, Lexus marketing.

“The final design and thoughtful interpretation of the “Ruby Red Rims” far exceeded our expectations,” Shahani says in a release.