As cherry blossoms bloom across Japan this Spring, Rolls-Royce has unveiled the Phantom “Cherry Blossom,” a bespoke, one-of-a-kind commission that captures the fleeting beauty of spring’s most poetic symbol.
It’s inspired by the Japanese tradition of Hanami, or flower viewing and this Phantom Extended was created for a Japanese client seeking to preserve cherished memories of the season and share them with future generations.
Crafted over three years and six months of intricate development, the Phantom Cherry Blossom features more than 250,000 hand-stitched embroidery threads across its interior. The highlight is a bespoke Starlight Headliner adorned with delicate cherry blossoms—each petal meticulously stitched to reflect light with jewel-like brilliance. The falling flowers also appear across the rear doors and partition, offering the sensation of sitting beneath a blooming Sakura tree.
This one-off Phantom Extended takes shape from the memories of a Japanese client who grew up surrounded by the annual bloom and wished to translate those experiences into a motor car designed to last within the family. The result reflects years of dialogue between the client and the Rolls-Royce Bespoke Collective, leading to a project that ties emotional history with precise craftsmanship.
In a brand-first, Rolls-Royce incorporated three-dimensional embroidery to bring cherry petals to life with a sculptural quality. Each petal was shaped and stitched by hand, a feat achieved using ancient Japanese techniques adapted for modern craftsmanship. The exterior finish in Crystal over Arctic White is understated yet elegant, featuring a hand-painted coachline that culminates in a subtle cherry blossom motif. Even the umbrellas housed within the doors carry the floral theme, with a falling petal design on the lining.
“The cherry blossom represents the ephemeral nature of life,” said Martina Starke, General Manager of Bespoke Design at Rolls-Royce. “This motor car expresses that philosophy through heritage craftsmanship and contemporary artistry.”
Cherry blossoms have deep cultural weight in Japan. The fleeting blooms arrive in early spring and vanish a few days later. Their presence carries meaning about the passage of time and the importance of savoring each moment.
For centuries, people across Japan have gathered under blooming trees during Hanami, a tradition that brings together families and friends to picnic and reflect during the height of the bloom. The client’s childhood and adulthood were shaped by this annual ritual. With Phantom Cherry Blossom, they chose to immortalize personal memories in physical form.
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Articolul Rolls-Royce Unveils “Cherry Blossom” Phantom apare prima dată în Universul.net.