It’s the first Rolls-Royce in history to wear a fully hand-painted Starlight Headliner, an artwork developed over 160 hours by an in-house artist. The Milky Way, not stitched or simulated, but painted, as if a Renaissance ceiling had quietly migrated into a luxury SUV.

Commissioned through Rolls-Royce’s Private Office in Dubai, the brief came from a family whose four-year-old son shares their fascination with space.

“We wanted to create something our family would remember forever: a Rolls-Royce that captures the essence of the cosmos and shows that no dream is out of reach.”

Commissioning Client, Cullinan Cosmos

The bodywork is finished in Arabescato Pearl, a shimmering tone that catches light the way moonbeams catch the surface of a still lake. A twin coachline in Charles Blue draws the eye like an astronomer’s chalk across a blackboard, while the Illuminated Spirit of Ecstasy glows after dusk like a distant star.

Charles Blue and Grace White leather recliners establish the palette, with contrast piping that would make a Savile Row cutter nod in approval. Piano White veneers add a crisp, technical edge, a gentle nod to satellite casings rather than a hard-edged homage.

Look a little closer and you’ll spot a Bespoke Star Cluster motif: embroidered on the doors and headrests, then echoed as a hand-painted flourish on the front passenger fascia. It’s the sort of detail you notice the third time you sit inside, because the first two you’ll be too busy staring upwards.

Rather than rely solely on fibre-optic pinpricks, Rolls-Royce gave an artist a blank leather canvas and time (160 hours) to conjure an ethereal Milky Way, colour-graded to harmonise with the cabin. The luminous mists were built up with more than 20 successive applications of acrylic paint, to achieve that delicate, nebula-like bloom.

The “stars” themselves? Speckled and dotted by hand with fine pointed brushes, then sealed before each fibre-optic perforation was individually punched to complement the artwork’s contours. No two inches repeat.

Cynics will say it’s another exercise in excess. But that’s only half the story. Bespoke work like this is the crucible in which craft is safeguarded and sharpened. When a family asks for the cosmos and the marque replies, “Very good, shall we paint it freehand?”, you’re witnessing the transfer of skill from atelier to automobile.

Rolls-Royce calls this “bringing clients’ otherworldly visions to life with drama, depth, and absolute precision.” In a world hooked on the copy-paste of mass production, that line alone deserves applause.

“Space travel is an enduring fascination for the commissioning clients of this extraordinary one-of-one motor car. This commission demonstrates how Rolls-Royce brings clients’ otherworldly visions to life with drama, depth, and absolute precision.”

Phil Fabre de la Grange, Head of Bespoke, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

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The marque concluded 2024 with record achievements in bespoke customisation and a significant £300 million investment to expand its Goodwood facilities.

2024 saw the Bespoke Collective (Rolls-Royce’s elite team of designers, engineers, and artisans) push creative boundaries to craft some of the most audacious and personalised vehicles ever imagined.

From intricate marquetry featuring over 500 meticulously shaped wooden pieces to holographic paint finishes and solid gold sculptures, the level of detail and innovation reached unparalleled heights. This bespoke approach resonated deeply with clients, driving a 10% year-on-year increase in bespoke content value per car, the highest in the brand’s history.

Chris Brownridge, Chief Executive of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, remarked: “Our clients are redefining luxury by commissioning motor cars that are deeply personal and emotionally resonant. This remarkable growth in bespoke content reflects the trust and creativity of our clients.”

The £300 million expansion at Goodwood marks Rolls-Royce’s largest investment since the plant’s inauguration in 2003. This development will bolster bespoke and coachbuilding capabilities, ensuring the brand remains at the forefront of luxury automotive design as it transitions to an all-electric future.

The expansion will not only enhance production capacity but also reaffirm Rolls-Royce’s commitment to sustainability and craftsmanship. Currently employing over 2,500 individuals, Goodwood has transformed from producing one car a day at its inception to up to 28 motor cars daily.

Rolls-Royce introduced four new models in 2024, including the Cullinan Series II and Ghost Series II, alongside their Black Badge counterparts. These launches, coupled with robust demand for the Spectre (the marque’s first fully electric model) propelled global sales to 5,712 vehicles, marking the third-highest annual total in Rolls-Royce’s history.

Interestingly, Europe emerged as the strongest market for the Spectre, reflecting its appeal as the epitome of silent, electrified luxury. The brand’s flagship, the Phantom, maintained its revered status as the ultimate Rolls-Royce, while bespoke commissions originating from the Middle East highlighted the region’s appetite for opulent personalisation.

Rolls-Royce’s Private Offices, now expanded to New York and Seoul, offer a unique invitation-only experience for clients seeking unparalleled personalisation. These creative hubs allow clients to collaborate directly with designers, resulting in commissions that are, on average, 25% higher in value. The Whispers app, an exclusive members’ platform, also saw a 55% increase in membership, reinforcing the brand’s connection to its discerning clientele.

Rolls-Royce is poised to unveil its next all-electric model in 2025. As it enters this new chapter, the marque continues to celebrate its heritage while pushing the boundaries of luxury and craftsmanship.

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Rolls-Royce Motor Cars presented 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 Bespoke creations – three Phantom Extended models and one Cullinan – are a celebration of Chinese culture through Bespoke artistry.

The dragon is 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.

“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,” said Jonathan Simms, Head of Bespoke, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.

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, multiple hues of red were used and 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 more details and depth were added. 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 like a stray particle of red paint, for example, would become instantly visible.

Every completed layer was spotlessly cleaned and finely sanded before each lacquering stage.

The dragon motif extends discreetly throughout the 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.

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, and positioning them all perfectly by hand took over 20 hours of work.

The 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.

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 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.

Photo Credits: Rolls-Royce

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Bentley has pushed hard for a new lifestyle-esque direction for the company, and it’s doing so by launching a new retail concept store. Located in Cheongdam, Seoul, the aptly named Bentley Cube will serve as a destination for current and prospective Bentley customers.

The site will be located within Seoul’s exclusive fashion district and is said to be one of the first new retail and experiential concepts propping up around the world.

Inside, Bentley will house a Batur Studio Suite, where customers will be able to create their very own bespoke Bentley through the Mulliner programme, Bentley’s in-house commissioning division. An Azure lounge will also be created, providing an exclusive space for customers to relax and network. 

In the basement of the new establishment, a Sound Playground, complete with a sound theatre with Naim audio equipment, will be available for customers to experience music at the highest standards. Naim is Bentley’s long-established audio partner, and customers will get to try out the same quality they would receive in their own cars.

Will this lifestyle-oriented angle be the new trend for automotive companies? Guess only time will tell.

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Rolls-Royce has recently unveiled its unique Bespoke Series Phantom, ‘The Six Elements’, at a private gala ceremony held in Dubai.

The unique project, initiated by Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Dubai in partnership with Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Abu Dhabi, comprises six Rolls-Royce Phantom Extended Series IIs.

The unique bit? Each Phantom is entirely individual, and features its own specially commissioned artwork on the inside, hand-painted by British Artist Sacha Jafri. These works of art are displayed in the Gallery, or for layman folk, the glass-enclosed space running the length of the Phantom’s dashboard.

Each piece of artwork is inspired by one of the five traditional elements: Earth, Water, Fire, Wind and Air. The sixth, Humanity, references Sacha Jafri’s best-known work, ‘The Journey of Humanity’, the world’s largest painting on canvas done over seven months during the COVID-19 pandemic in Dubai.

Like all Phantom models, ‘The Six Elements’ was designed, developed and handcrafted by the Bespoke Collective at the Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood. This unique series was also done in collaboration with the resident Bespoke designer in the Rolls-Royce Private Office in Dubai. This project initially began in late 2020, and has taken two years to complete, with COVID-19 being a plausible reason for the hiatus.

Apart from the unique artwork, each car also features its own unique NFT and QR codes, which the owner can sell independently if they choose to do so. With every trade of these 6 NFTs, a royalty will be paid into a digital wallet, raising funds for future charitable donations.

To view each vehicle’s NFT, the owner of the Phantom can scan a bespoke Jafri Heart-motif QR code embedded within their car’s glove compartment.

Rolls-Royce has updated that the project, currently at stage one of its journey, has already exceeded its initial target funding of $1.3 million, with all six cars having been allocated to customers in Dubai and the wider Middle East region.

One can hope at least one of these 6 cars will be driven out from time to time.

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