Rolls-Royce Unveils One-And-Only ‘Phantom Orchid’ Car With Art Rooted In Nature
Rolls-Royce is a name synonymous with artisan bespoke cars, and its latest reveal—the Rolls-Royce Phantom Orchid—cements that perfectly.
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Designed by the Bespoke Collective at Goodwood, the saloon features stunning work by artist Helen Amy Murray and in-house designer Yohan Benchetrit inspired by the landscape and flora of Singapore.
“The orchid is seen in many facets of Asian life, a reminder that the resilient adapt and thrive regardless of the evolving environment,” states Michael Bryden, Lead Designer at Rolls-Royce Bespoke. This flower was chosen as an “inspirational theme,” representing “resilience, beauty and strength.”
This one-of-a-kind car has a Phantom Extended as its base with floral elements incorporated throughout. The treadplates and rear picnic table inlays also tout the gorgeous design, with the interior color palette chosen to recreate an orchid sanctuary.
Its centerpiece, arguably, remains the Gallery: a length of decor that runs across the dashboard, in front of the passenger seat, with hand-sculptured silk artwork protected by a layer of glass.
“I started by focusing on the actual orchids, which promptly led me to realize that color was key to capturing the essence of the species,” Murray explains in a statement.
“I have created artworks featuring orchids in the past, but my idea for the Gallery was to create something in realistic full color, which pushed us to refine our digital printing skills.”
To create this intricate work, Murray illustrated the flowers by hand before converting them into a digital version. Then, this was printed onto a fine silk crepe satin and sculpted to create a 3D effect.
On the car exterior, a custom paint color enhances its floral beauty. Arctic White makes up the base color, mixed with a tint of orchid-inspired violet.
Then fine glass particles are combined with the paint, creating a “stunning pearlescent appearance.” Under bright light, the car “shimmers” as it’s viewed from different angles.
The Phantom Orchid took more than two years to complete, according to the company, with more than 200 hours spent refining the flowers by Murray and her team.
“Just as it takes patience, time and dedication to grow an orchid, similarly, crafting a Rolls-Royce is a process that requires time and passion—but with an end result that more than justifies the wait,” the marque concludes.
[via Rolls-Royce]
