Jan. 18th, 2021
The Rolls-Royce Bespoke Collective is a team of engineers, designers, and craftspeople based at the Rolls-Royce headquarters in Goodwood, England. Every year, this talented group creates several completely custom one-off vehicles for the carmaker’s most elite global customers. In 2020, the Collective did so largely from the confines and safety of their own homes, which did not deter them from creating some of the most spectacular designs we have ever seen from Rolls-Royce. Additionally, the company says that its Bespoke division saw a substantial increase in commissions compared to 2019, with a greater level of personalized details designed into each vehicle.
What follows is a snapshot of some standout examples from the Bespoke Collective, provided by Rolls-Royce.
DUSK IN TOKYO
Above: Inset clock from ‘Dusk in Tokyo’ Phantom
The ‘Dusk in Tokyo Collection’, comprising Phantom, Wraith, Dawn and Cullinan, celebrates Japan’s capital city. A complex, multi-faceted white paint, eponymously named ‘Dusk in Tokyo’, characterizes the coastal metropolis’ high-rise glass and concrete buildings bathed in the warm light of early dusk. Containing aluminum and mica flakes, the refractive paint creates subtle tones in low light.
The Black Leather interior, punctuated by Rose Gold Bespoke Audio grilles and on Phantom, the fascia’s Rose Gold clock case, depicts the contrast of long, dark shadows of the city’s tall buildings with flourishes of the last reaches of the waning sun on glass.
Leading the transition from day to night is the Spirit of Ecstasy, presented in Rose Gold for the first time in Japan, representing the setting of the sun.
Above: ‘Dusk in Tokyo’ Spirit of Ecstacy in rose gold.
Above: ‘Dusk in Tokyo’ speaker grilles.
PHANTOM ‘IRIDESCENT OPULENCE’
Above: ‘Iridescent Opulence’ rear-seat embroidery
The Phantom’s hermetically sealed Gallery makes it possible to incorporate natural materials in a way never before possible in a motor car. In 2020, the Phantom ‘Iridescent Opulence’ took this approach to soaring new heights.
Featuring a truly Bespoke artwork which debuted as a concept in 2017, ‘Iridescent Opulence’ was created in partnership with Swiss materials specialist Nature Squared. The result is inspired by nature; a Gallery that houses over 3,000 sustainably sourced iridescent tail feathers, each shaped individually to accentuate their sheen and rich hue. These were hand-sewn onto an open pore fabric in a design that emanates outwards from the shimmering, iridescent
Mother of Pearl casing around the clock at the heart of the Gallery. The interior is completed with a Bespoke embroidery to the rear waterfall and silver inlays on the picnic tables
Above: ‘Iridescent Opulence’ silver-inlay picnic tables.
Above: ‘Iridescent Opulence’ dash with mother-of-pearl clock.
THE STEED PHANTOM EXTENDED
Complex Bespoke embroideries of a stallion embellish the interior rear doors of this elegant Phantom Extended. Signifying strength and an unremitting enthusiasm to progress, the embroidery of the steed was developed from a sketch, presented to the Rolls-Royce Bespoke Design Collective, by a Chinese client with a very clear vision.
Above: Complex embroidery in the door of the Steed Phantom Extended.
‘NEON NIGHTS’ COLOR TRILOGY
The Rolls-Royce Bespoke Collective developed a new and dynamic colour palette, named ‘Neon Nights,’ in a limited run of just four of each color.
The three brightly colored hues, each inspired by the natural world, consisted of Lime Rock Green, a near-luminous hue naturally found on the Australian green tree frog, Eagle Rock Red, which mimics the flowers of ‘Ohi‘a lehua, an evergreen tree native to Hawaii, and Mirabeau Blue which takes inspiration from Central and South America’s exotic butterfly, the Rhetus periander.
Above: ‘Neon Nights’ Dawn in Eagle Rock Red Neon
Above: ‘Neon Nights’ Wraith in Lime Rock Green Neon
Above: Viewing suite of the ‘Neon Nights’ Cullinan in Mirabeau Blue Neon
WRAITH ‘INSPIRED BY EARTH’
Above: Wraith “Inspired by Earth’ airbrushed fascia.
Wraith ‘Inspired By Earth’ takes its design cues from the entire Solar System, and our own planet, as seen from space. The Royal Blue exterior references the water that covers 75% of the Earth’s surface while an air-brushed bonnet artwork depicts a satellite view of the Middle Eastern region centered on the United Arab Emirates. A hand-painted Emerald Green coachline incorporates the Sun and the eight planets of the Solar System.
The seats are made from Moccasin leather to mimic the sands of the Emirates’ deserts; Navy and Cobalto Blue accents are suggestive of rivers and lakes, and Emerald Green piping symbolizes nature in all its forms. The rear ‘waterfall’ features atmospheric clouds rendered in minutely detailed embroidery using Photoflash technology. The fascia is embellished with a skilfully air-brushed satellite image of the Middle East. The Bespoke Starlight Headliner is embroidered to illustrate all the planets of the Solar System, centered on the Sun. Other Bespoke details include treadplates, a clock with metal radial background, and inlays showing the planets in silver, with planet Earth accentuated in gold.
Above: Wraith “Inspired by Earth’ airbrushed bonnet.
Above: Wraith “Inspired by Earth’ interior
Wraith “Inspired by Earth’ coachline
WRAITH KRYPTOS COLLECTION
The Wraith Kryptos Collection is embellished with a cipher concealed in the Collection’s Bespoke detailing. Limited to just 50 motor cars, clients are invited to decode messages found within the Bespoke elements of the motor car’s interior and exterior.
An engraving with green enamel detailing on the Spirit of Ecstasy figurine depicts the word KRYPTOS, in code. These seven deciphered characters, in addition to the translation of the embroidered double-R found on the headrests, will aid clients on their journey of discovery as they begin to identify these letters on Wraith Kryptos’ screen printed metal fascia.
Wraith Kryptos’ Bespoke exterior hue consists of a solid Anthracite base color with blue and green mica flakes. Inside, a Bespoke Kryptos Green leather is set against either Selby Grey or Anthracite. A beautifully elaborate, bi-colored headliner depicts an in-motion data-stream-inspired motif which is accentuated by the illuminated door pockets.
Above: Wraith Kryptos Collection starlight headliner
DAWN SILVER BULLET COLLECTION
The Dawn Silver Bullet Collection cuts a dash with a unique Aero Cowling and ultra-metallic Brewster Silver Paint, in a vibrant nod to the epic Rolls-Royce trials cars of the past.
The four-seat Rolls-Royce Drophead is transformed into an adaptable two-seat roadster by the addition of the rakish Aero Cowling with vapor-blasted titanium finisher, heightening the Collection’s sense of speed and purpose. Limited to just 50 examples worldwide, the Aero Cowling windbreak proudly displays the Silver Bullet name and silhouette.
Above: Dawn Silver Bullet Collection aero cowling
Above: Dawn Silver Bullet Collection Spirit of Ecstacy in ultra-metallic Brewster Silver Paint
SPORTIVE COLLECTION
A Collection of two Black Badge Dawns and nine Black Badge Wraiths were commissioned for the United Arab Emirates. Boasting bold colour combinations and technical fibre, the Sportive Collection encapsulates Black Badge’s expressive and unapologetic nature.
In an innovative first for Rolls-Royce, the interior features a technical fibre fascia that has been intertwined with a coloured weave to match the vibrant exterior color combinations. The hand-painted Coachlines feature a unique ‘Sportive’ motif, while woven-leather door panniers and engraved Bespoke audio frets further add to the dynamic ambience of the Collection.
Above: Sportive Collection Wraith
Above: Sportive Collection coachline
Above: Sportive Collection technical fiber and fascia clock
ARCTIC WHITE AND HOTSPUR RED PHANTOM
Above: Arctic White and Hotspur Red luggage compartment
Commissioned by a Texan Rolls-Royce collector, this contemporary Phantom is finished in Arctic White with a double coachline and double pinstripe in Hotspur Red, indicative of the bold interior colourway.
Inside, Hotspur Red paints an arresting scene as every surface, from the lambswool floor mats, privacy curtains to even the luggage compartment, is finished in this vibrant Bespoke colour. The ‘Lakeshore Aurora’ Gallery is designed and created by the Rolls-Royce Bespoke Collective.
Above: Arctic White and Hotspur Red interior
Above: Arctic White and Hotspur Red pinstripe wheels
Photos and descriptions courtesy of Rolls-Royce.