Rolls-Royce Motor Cars PressClub · Article.
ROLLS-ROYCE ‘YEAR OF THE DRAGON’ BESPOKE COMMISSIONS: AN INTERNATIONAL CELEBRATION OF CHINESE CULTURE
02.02.2024 Press Release
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars presents four magnificent ‘Year of the Dragon’ Bespoke commissions to mark the Lunar New Year, which begins on 10 February 2024. Designed and hand-crafted at the Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood, these rare and beautiful Bespoke creations – three Phantom Extended models and one Cullinan – are a celebration of Chinese culture through Bespoke artistry.
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Rolls-Royce Motor Cars
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Author.
Malika Abdullaeva
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars
Related Links.
- Rolls-Royce presents four ‘Year of the Dragon’ Bespoke commissions – three Phantom Extended and one Cullinan – created to mark the Lunar New Year, beginning on 10 February
- A magnificent international celebration of Chinese cultural heritage, destined for clients residing around the world
- Meticulously executed details inspired by a traditional dragon symbol including a unique hand-painted artwork on the front passenger panels, each example taking over two weeks to create
- First-ever depiction of a dragon in a Bespoke Starlight Headliner, formed by 677 ‘stars’
- Delicate embroidery on headrests captures dynamic appearance of the dragon – each one comprises 5,449 stitches and took over 20 hours to complete
“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 four magnificent
‘Year of the Dragon’ Bespoke commissions to mark the Lunar New Year,
which begins on 10 February 2024. Designed and hand-crafted at the
Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood, these rare and beautiful Bespoke
creations – three Phantom Extended models and one Cullinan – are a
celebration of Chinese culture through Bespoke artistry. Just as
Chinese culture transcends national boundaries, the destinations for
these highly Bespoke motor cars span the world.
The commissions draw inspiration from the dragon, an enduring
and international symbol of power, success and prosperity. For the
‘Year of the Dragon’ Bespoke commissions, the Rolls‑Royce Bespoke
Collective created a modern, minimalistic expression of the dragon
never previously seen in a Rolls-Royce, while remaining faithful and
respectful to the original form.
REINTERPRETING AN ICON: THE ART OF SIMPLICITY
Three of the ‘Year of the Dragon’ Bespoke commissions
include fascia panels adorned with highly contemporary artworks
reinterpreting the dragon form. Individually hand-painted by one
dedicated Rolls-Royce artist, each is a distinctive exploration of the
colour red, which represents prosperity and good fortune in Chinese
culture. Each of the three artworks is the result of over two weeks of
detailed work.
To create this complex, three-dimensional motif, the artist used
multiple hues of red, applied on top of each other in four individual
stages. First, the initial outline of the symbol was painted using a
‘feathering’ technique to create a flame effect, as if the dragon were
suspended in fire, reflecting its festive, celebratory nature. This
was followed by three further layers in darker shades of red, in which
the artist added more details and depth. Each of these colours was
individually blended from different proportions of red, white, yellow
and brown: this development process alone took three days to complete.
The four layers combine to create a 3D effect so realistic that the
artwork appears to have been carved into the fascia.
To achieve such fine detailing, lacquer was meticulously applied
after each layer of paint. Lacquering is a delicate process,
especially on a white background, since any imperfection – a stray
particle of red paint, for example – would become instantly visible.
The Rolls-Royce artist spotlessly cleaned and finely sanded every
completed layer before each lacquering stage.
INTERIOR SUITE: A MINIMALIST APPROACH
The dragon motif extends discreetly throughout the
motor car’s interior. It is elegantly depicted in Phoenix Red
stitching on the headrests of each of the four seats, providing a bold
contrast with the seat leather, which is presented in either Black or
White. To create a dynamic appearance of the dragon, giving the
impression of continuous movement, the artisans had to precisely align
the stitch direction and adjust stitch density. Strategic variation in
stitch angles along the tail enhanced the overall flow, creating a
sense of fluidity in the design. Each embroidery comprises 5,449
stitches and took around 20 hours to complete.
In three of the commissions, the rear Piano Black picnic tables
incorporate a minimalist representation of the circular Chinese zodiac
calendar in inlaid stainless steel. The names of the animals
representing each year are inscribed in traditional Chinese
calligraphy, with the dragon highlighted in gold: the central dragon
motif is also depicted in gold. For the fourth motor car, a Bespoke
artwork featuring the dragon is inlaid in the Piano Black veneer in
stainless steel.
The most dramatic expression of the mythical creature is the
Bespoke Starlight Headliner, specially created for these commissions
and the result of three months’ design and development work. Above the
driver and passenger seats, 677 individually placed fibre-optic
‘stars’ form an abstract dragon motif, surrounded by a further 667
lights – positioning them all perfectly by hand took over 20 hours of
work. The motor car destined for the Rolls-Royce Private Office
Shanghai features a unique expression of the Bespoke Starlight
Headliner incorporating red ‘stars’ in a bold and contemporary
reference to the symbolism of red in Chinese culture.
Each Phantom Extended commission is completed with a Gallery
artwork, carefully protected behind an application of pure glass, that
runs uninterrupted across the fascia. Crafted from carbon fibre, it
evokes dynamism and motion, complementing the dragon artwork. The
interior is completed with Bespoke lambswool carpets, perfectly
colour-matched to the leather trim.
EXTERIOR COACHWORK
The Bespoke designers created unique colourways for
the different models: a duotone Cherry Red with Crystal finish over
Selby Grey with a Crystal finish for the Cullinan; and a two-tone
Silver and Cherry Red or monolithic Black with a Crystal finish for
the Phantom Extended motor car commissions.
All four commissions feature a Bespoke coachline, hand-painted
in Phoenix Red, that subtly incorporates a dragon motif. Each dragon
is orientated to face right, which symbolically represents the East –
the direction of the rising sun.
“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
CO2 EMISSIONS & CONSUMPTION.
- Phantom Extended: NEDCcorr (combined): CO2 emissions: 345 g/km; Fuel consumption: 15.1 ltr/100 km / 18.7 mpg. WLTP (combined): CO2 emissions: 362-348 g/km; Fuel consumption: 15.9-15.2 ltr/100 km / 17.7-18.6 mpg.
- Cullinan: NEDCcorr (combined): CO2 emission: 348 g/km; Fuel consumption: 15.2 ltr/100 km / 18.6 mpg. WLTP (combined): CO2 emission: 377-368 g/km; Fuel consumption: 16.5-16.1 ltr/100 km / 17.1-17.5 mpg.
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