Rolls-Royce has delivered a bespoke Phantom to Abu Dhabi, incorporating natural bird feathers in its design.
Named the Phantom “Iridescent Opulence,” the one-off luxury saloon places great emphasis on its Gallery, a space specifically designed to accommodate artworks and other aesthetic detailing. The piece in particular installed here was created by the Swiss-based material specialist Nature Squared, which focuses heavily on exploring natural, sustainable materials using the latest technology available. After extensive research, the company was able to identify a sustainable species of bird with a rich dense plumage, incorporating more than 3,000 selected tail feathers into the Gallery surrounding the centrepiece Mother of Pearl clock to create a truly opulent and luxurious visual experience.
Rolls-Royce Phantom Iridescent Opulence is an art gallery on wheels
Alvin Reyes - Feb 2, 2021, 5:57am CST
Without a doubt, British carmaker Rolls-Royce has stuck with the adage of building the most celebrated motorcars in the world. Rolls-Royce is taking its bespoke expertise to new heights with Phantom Iridescent Opulence, a luxury car with a built-in art gallery in the dashboard.
Rolls-Royce calls it ‘The Gallery,’ an uninterrupted glass applique in the dash. The ‘Iridescent Opulence’ moniker is courtesy 3,000 iridescent feathers from a sustainable species of bird – a fancy breed of peacock, probably. The Gallery has over 3,000 pre-selected tail feathers that are hand sewn to an open fabric, laid out to mimic the natural arrangement of a bird’s wings.
Dubbed the Iridescent Opulence, a touch of natural beauty has found its way into the Phantom s cabin.
For most of us, stretching to the Premium or Luxury trim instead of the entry-level model when purchasing a new vehicle feels like a worthy accomplishment. Rolls-Royce doesn t describe its vehicles using such common, rudimentary labels. That s why the automaker s latest bespoke Phantom is called Iridescent Opulence. It already sounds expensive and extravagant, and that s precisely what it is.
Rolls-Royce s Bespoke division has created some truly grand vehicles in the past, and this unique Phantom joins that list following its unveiling at Abu Dhabi Motors. The highlight of this car is The Gallery, a glass piece across the dashboard where discerning customers can display a piece of art of their choice.
We’ve heard a lot about Rolls-Royce’s Bespoke division lately, as it turns out wealthy people turned to buying highly customized cars last year to ease their lockdown blues. One of the cars the British car maker mentioned back in January was a Phantom defined by the name ‘Iridescent Opulence‘. We didn’t get a chance to take a closer look at it until today, when the car was brought over to Abu Dhabi.
The Rolls-Royce Phantom Iridescent Opulence is the perfect example of what can be achieved when you have master craftsmen and women at their best, working for you. The car was designed by Swiss-based Nature Squared, an established materials specialist. The goal here was to use the latest technology to transform sustainable natural materials into proper works of art. Therefore, the Gallery inside this particular Phantom has a very special design.
Arts Thread
January 15, 2021
Business Design Week, Visual Communication
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Above: Business of Design Week exhibit “Reflection Rising” by Patrick Shearn of Poetic Kinetics blows in the wind above the Arizona Canal prior to Canal Convergence on the Scottsdale Waterfront.
Under the theme ‘VISION 20/21’, the 19th edition of Business of Design Week (BODW), organised by the Hong Kong Design Centre (HKDC) was concluded in December 2020. Last year’s BODW Summit was held as a hybrid event simulcast live on multiple platforms for the first time. The event focused on themes relevant to the post-pandemic era to help participants find clarity in this most uncertainty of times. There were over 100 influential design and business leaders who shared their views on nine different themes as well as Masterclasses from notable designer Chi Wing Lo and Patrick Shearn of Poetic Kinetics worth a mention.