Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has revealed its latest bespoke creation, the Phantom Cherry Blossom, inspired by the ephemeral beauty of cherry blossoms.
Based on the Phantom Extended model, this vehicle was commissioned by a client who wanted to share cherished childhood memories of cherry blossom festivals and nature’s awe-inspiring moments with their family. The project began three years ago, with Rolls-Royce artisans collaborating closely with the client to bring their vision to life. Every detail of the vehicle reflects the appreciation of life’s fleeting moments, symbolized through cherry blossoms, with detailed craftsmanship.
The interior showcases embroidery that perfectly recreates the sensation of sitting beneath a cherry tree with blossoms falling around. The bespoke Starlight Headliner features embroidered branches adorned with drifting white cherry blossoms, extending to the rear door panels and the Privacy Suite partition. This intricate embroidery took over six months, with about three weeks dedicated to the ceiling alone, resulting in more than 250,000 stitches throughout the vehicle.
When illuminated, the embroidery’s delicate details and craftsmanship are highlighted. The cherry tree embroidery employs an “offset tatami” technique inspired by ancient weaving methods, enhancing the thread’s rich texture. The branches, stretching from the rear over the back seats, intertwine realistically. A single artisan meticulously embroidered 11 separate frames, aligning them precisely to create a seamless graphic.
The ceiling’s cherry blossom embroidery, crafted with satin stitches, sparkles like jewels and creates a rich three-dimensional effect depending on the light angle. The petals appear to settle gently on the doors and partition walls of the rear seats, mimicking a soft snowfall.
A first for Rolls-Royce, the Phantom Cherry Blossom incorporates 3D embroidery techniques. This three-dimensional embroidery elegantly adorns the Privacy Suite partition wall, contrasting with the classic flat embroidery on the doors. Rolls-Royce experts developed a new layering technique to create a self-supporting structure for the 3D effect. Each petal is carefully hand-shaped and secured with embroidery, thoughtfully arranged to create soft shadow effects in harmony with the interior lighting.
The cherry blossom theme extends to the bespoke umbrella lining hidden within the doors and subtly reflects on the vehicle’s exterior. Meanwhile, the vehicle’s exterior, finished in a stunning Crystal Arctic White, features a unique coachline along the rear doors. The elegant detail gradually tapers into a delicate cherry blossom design, hinting at the artistic interior.
Martina Stark, Head of Bespoke Design at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, emphasized that the Phantom Cherry Blossom is a masterpiece that transforms personal memories into art. It showcases the power of bespoke craftsmanship in blending the client’s unique emotions, artistry, and craftsmanship. She noted that over 250,000 stitches captured the fleeting beauty of cherry blossoms in bloom, marking the first time in Rolls-Royce history that 3D embroidery techniques have been applied to portray falling petals vividly.
