Bang & Olufsen has partnered with Warner Music to honour the work of Factory Records and one of its iconic founding partners. As impactful as the music it produced, is the iconic album artwork created by legendary graphic designer, Peter Saville. His album sleeves are as synonymous with Factory Records as the music itself. The technically clean, hauntingly atmospheric designs for Factory Records artists – in particular, Joy Division and New Order – are some of the most compelling artistic creations of the period.
Factory started as a club night in 1978, it wasn’t until Factory Communications Limited was established in 1981 by Tony Wilson, Alan Erasmus, Peter Saville, Rob Gretton and Martin Hannett that it became the music powerhouse that is known today. To celebrate 40 years since this momentous occasion, Bang & Olufsen has produced 40 exclusive Beoplay A9 wireless speakers featuring iconic Factory Records artwork, including the first Factory Poster (also known by its catalogue number FAC1), Joy Division’s album Unknown Pleasures and New Order’s Power, Corruption & Lies. Just 10 units of the Beoplay A9 will be produced for each of the four artworks, to give a total of 40 units. These will be sold exclusively through Selfridges for a period of six weeks.
Factory was famous for nurturing genre-defining artists such as Joy Division, New Order and the Happy Mondays, building the infamous proto superclub the Hacienda, plus an extensive and now highly regarded creative output, such as posters, films, concerts and concepts.
Bang & Olufsen joins a line-up of luxury fashion designers and homeware brands that are partnering with Selfridges to celebrate this occasion, including Raf Simons, Cedar Lifestyle and MJB. The Bang & Olufsen x Factory Records Beoplay A9s are available exclusively in the UK via Selfridges and will retail at £3,500.