Why tops stars throw car keys at custom King Yianni
Sun Motors meets the man who pimps cars for the big names
WITH customers like Harry Styles, John Terry and Gordon Ramsay, Yianni Charalambous has celebrities clamouring for his work.
He’s the guy the stars call to customise their cars - from crazy chrome wraps to wheels, doors, TV’s or a complete interior overhaul.
Prices vary on each car because no two customs are the same. “Some people might want a chrome wrap others might want a black wrap. Prices range from £1,500-£5,000 for a standard wrap, and then if you want the doors done it costs more. Every added detail adds a cost so prices vary.”
Harry Styles rings me a lot now so we’re all cool, he’s a good lad. I actually lent my Porsche to him once
Premier League footballers make up a lot of Charalambous’ impressive list of wealthy clients. As we speak, he’s currently working on Chelsea captain John Terry’s motor. Theo Walcott, Danny Welbeck and Olivier Giroud are other famous customers.
Overhauls ... bright colours are popular with celebs
“We do four or five cars a week... currently I’ve got three footballers cars. I’ve also got Marvin from JLS’ car at the moment, so business is good.
With no advertising the Yiannimize Refined business has rocketed by word of mouth recommendations alone.
When he took an order from former Arsenal and Chelsea defender William Gallas for his infamous chrome wrap, Charalambous was bombarded with Prem stars throwing their keys at him.
Football aces ... Arsenal star Theo Walcott's motor “William Gallas called me up and invited me to the training ground and they were really excited to see me, it was like I was a celebrity or something. Everyone was trying to chuck me their keys to do their car first.
On the back of Gallas I got Didier Drogba, and then John Terry
“On the back of Gallas I got Didier Drogba and then John Terry. All the players know players from other clubs and international games and stuff. Jack Wilshere put me in touch with Danny Welbeck too.”
As word continues to spread about the one-off designs even more famous faces are getting their cars pimped. Although wary of discussing exactly what some clients request, he reveals he’s done ‘bits and bobs’ on Harry Styles’ Range Rover and the two have become close friends.
Chrome-wrapped ... William Gallas's motor
“Harry Styles rings me a lot now so we’re all cool, he’s a good lad. I actually lent my Porsche to him once and he happened to have a picture taken with my Missus next to my Lamborghini. The next day it was all over the news that he’s bought a new car and got a new girlfriend, when in actual fact it was my car and my partner!”
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Cars have always been his passion but a background working in the City dealing in property and recruitment afforded Charalambous the luxury of buying a Lamborghini long before he was blinging out cars for a living.
Interior design ... every customised car is unique
“I’ve always been passionate about cars. I had a Lamborghini of my own at the time and I was just playing around with my own customising and stuff. My mates kept seeing what I was doing and they said I should do customising for a living and I've never looked back.”
As well as individual client requests, his team also buy and sell motors when they've been souped-up, but they’re not for those strapped for cash.
“We have cars for sale up to £70,000 that are all kitted out. In fact I deal with people from Dubai, Russia and Kazakhstan, so the footballers are quite poor in comparison!”
