• Rolls-Royce presents 4 ‘Year of the Dragon’ Bespoke commissions – three Phantom Extended and one Cullinan – created to mark the Lunar New Year, starting on 10 February
• A powerful worldwide celebration of Chinese cultural heritage, destined for shoppers residing around the globe
• Meticulously executed particulars impressed by a standard dragon image together with a singular hand-painted paintings on the entrance passenger panels, every instance taking up two weeks to create
• First-ever depiction of a dragon in a Bespoke Starlight Headliner, fashioned by 677 ‘stars’
• Delicate embroidery on headrests captures dynamic look of the dragon – each contains 5,449 stitches and took over 20 hours to finish

“Rolls-Royce Motor Cars leads the luxury sector in creating products inspired by international cultures and traditions, incorporating designs, motifs, materials and colours that resonate with and have real personal meaning for our clients. These Bespoke creations, inspired by the Year of the Dragon in 2024, celebrate the international reach and influence of Chinese culture, which transcends national boundaries. Hence, these magnificent motor cars are destined for clients based across three continents. These creations are both a powerful expression of our respect for Chinese culture, and a contemporary, minimalist statement in line with trends we see among luxury consumers worldwide.”
Jonathan Simms, Head of Bespoke, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars presents 4 magnificent ‘Year of the Dragon’ Bespoke commissions to mark the Lunar New Year, which begins on 10 February 2024. Designed and hand-crafted on the Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood, these uncommon and exquisite Bespoke creations – three Phantom Extended fashions and one Cullinan – are a celebration of Chinese tradition by means of Bespoke artistry. Just as Chinese tradition transcends nationwide boundaries, the locations for these extremely Bespoke motor automobiles span the world.

The commissions draw inspiration from the dragon, a permanent and worldwide image of energy, success and prosperity. For the ‘Year of the Dragon’ Bespoke commissions, the Rolls‑Royce Bespoke Collective created a contemporary, minimalistic expression of the dragon by no means beforehand seen in a Rolls-Royce, whereas remaining devoted and respectful to the unique type.

REINTERPRETING AN ICON: THE ART OF SIMPLICITY

Three of the ‘Year of the Dragon’ Bespoke commissions embrace fascia panels adorned with extremely modern artworks reinterpreting the dragon type. Individually hand-painted by one devoted Rolls-Royce artist, every is a particular exploration of the color crimson, which represents prosperity and success in Chinese tradition. Each of the three artworks is the results of over two weeks of detailed work.

To create this advanced, three-dimensional motif, the artist used a number of hues of crimson, utilized on prime of one another in 4 particular person levels. First, the preliminary define of the image was painted utilizing a ‘feathering’ approach to create a flame impact, as if the dragon have been suspended in fireplace, reflecting its festive, celebratory nature. This was adopted by three additional layers in darker shades of crimson, by which the artist added extra particulars and depth. Each of those colors was individually blended from completely different proportions of crimson, white, yellow and brown: this improvement course of alone took three days to finish. The 4 layers mix to create a 3D impact so reasonable that the paintings seems to have been carved into the fascia.

To obtain such tremendous detailing, lacquer was meticulously utilized after every layer of paint. Lacquering is a fragile course of, particularly on a white background, since any imperfection – a stray particle of crimson paint, for instance – would turn into immediately seen. The Rolls-Royce artist spotlessly cleaned and finely sanded each accomplished layer earlier than every lacquering stage.

INTERIOR SUITE: A MINIMALIST APPROACH

The dragon motif extends discreetly all through the motor automobile’s inside. It is elegantly depicted in Phoenix Red stitching on the headrests of every of the 4 seats, offering a daring distinction with the seat leather-based, which is offered in both Black or White. To create a dynamic look of the dragon, giving the impression of steady motion, the artisans needed to exactly align the sew route and regulate sew density. Strategic variation in sew angles alongside the tail enhanced the general move, creating a way of fluidity within the design. Each embroidery contains 5,449 stitches and took round 20 hours to finish.

In three of the commissions, the rear Piano Black picnic tables incorporate a minimalist illustration of the round Chinese zodiac calendar in inlaid stainless-steel. The names of the animals representing annually are inscribed in conventional Chinese calligraphy, with the dragon highlighted in gold: the central dragon motif can be depicted in gold. For the fourth motor automobile, a Bespoke paintings that includes the dragon is inlaid within the Piano Black veneer in stainless-steel.

The most dramatic expression of the legendary creature is the Bespoke Starlight Headliner, specifically created for these commissions and the results of three months’ design and improvement work. Above the motive force and passenger seats, 677 individually positioned fibre-optic ‘stars’ type an summary dragon motif, surrounded by an additional 667 lights – positioning all of them completely by hand took over 20 hours of labor. The motor automobile destined for the Rolls-Royce Private Office Shanghai encompasses a distinctive expression of the Bespoke Starlight Headliner incorporating crimson ‘stars’ in a daring and modern reference to the symbolism of crimson in Chinese tradition.

Each Phantom Extended fee is accomplished with a Gallery paintings, rigorously protected behind an utility of pure glass, that runs uninterrupted throughout the fascia. Crafted from carbon fibre, it evokes dynamism and movement, complementing the dragon paintings. The inside is accomplished with Bespoke lambswool carpets, completely colour-matched to the leather-based trim.

EXTERIOR COACHWORK

The Bespoke designers created distinctive colourways for the completely different fashions: a duotone Cherry Red with Crystal end over Selby Grey with a Crystal end for the Cullinan; and a two-tone Silver and Cherry Red or monolithic Black with a Crystal end for the Phantom Extended motor automobile commissions.

All 4 commissions characteristic a Bespoke coachline, hand-painted in Phoenix Red, that subtly incorporates a dragon motif. Each dragon is oriented to face proper, which symbolically represents the East – the route of the rising solar.

“Our aim was to create a modern interpretation of the dragon capturing its essence as a symbol of power. The design evokes a sense of motion and energy, expressing the dragon as a driving force, all rendered with a depth and complexity to reflect its commanding spirit and presence. It was an inspirational journey for our Bespoke Collective to reinterpret such a significant icon; our Bespoke artisans added their own subtle dimension and character to the dragon expression, showcasing how a single design can be transformed through different mediums and craft techniques.”
Rebecca Davies, Bespoke Designer, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars