Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has presented four bespoke ‘Year of the Dragon’ commissions to commemorate the lunar new year, on February 10, 2024.
Designed and crafted at Rolls-Royce’s Goodwood HQ, the cars – three Phantom Extended models and one Cullinan – are a “a tribute to Chinese culture through exquisite artistry”, the auto maker says.
Inspired by the dragon’s symbolism of power and prosperity, the Year of the Dragon commissions feature a modern and minimalistic interpretation of the dragon, with themed details including hand-painted artworks on the front passenger panels.
The dragon motif extends subtly throughout the interior, with Phoenix Red stitching on the headrests contrasted against black or white seat leather. The rear Piano Black picnic tables in three commissions incorporate a minimalist representation of the Chinese zodiac calendar, with the dragon highlighted in gold; the fourth car features a bespoke dragon artwork inlaid in the Piano Black veneer in stainless steel.
To create a dynamic appearance of the dragon, the artisans had to precisely align the stitch direction and adjust stitch density. Each embroidery comprises 5,449 stitches and took around 20 hours to complete.
The Bespoke Starlight Headliner, above the driver and passenger seats, features 677 individually placed fiber-optic ‘stars’ to form an abstract dragon motif, surrounded by a further 667 lights. These were specially created for these four commissions and are the result of three months’ design and development work.
“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.
