Rolls-Royce Phantom Cherry Blossom is a one-off sakura-inspired chariot for a Japanese client

This isn’t just any Rolls-Royce Phantom Extended you’re seeing – it’s a one-off that’s been commissioned by a Japanese client to evoke formative memories of sakura – the cherry blossoms that are so much a symbol of the East Asian country – and to be passed down to future generations.

“Cherry blossoms are cherished in Japan as a symbol of the ephemeral nature of life and the beauty of transience. With this magnificent commission, we translate an internationally renowned moment into our pinnacle motor car, Phantom, with exquisite embroidery comprising more than 250,000 stitches. For the first time at Rolls-Royce, we have applied three-dimensional embroidery that gives the falling flower petals a tactile, sculptural quality.

“Developed using ancient Japanese stitching techniques, this motor car represents a deeply personal memory for the client and demonstrates the power of Bespoke in uniting individual meaning, heritage craftsmanship and modern artistry,” said Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Bespoke Design GM Martina Starke.

It’s perhaps ironic that something so fleeting and impermanent (sakura blooms last only about a week) should adorn a century-old nameplate, but we suppose that’s the beauty of contrast. Rolls-Royce’s artisans met the client in Japan three years ago to understand his vision. Then they set out to put the petal to the metal.

Thanks to a Bespoke Starlight Headliner which took three weeks to embroider, occupants feel like they’re sitting beneath a flowering tree as they gaze at the embroidered cherry bough that’s sprinkled with delicate white blossoms.

The embroidered cherry tree’s rich thread texture is achieved using an offset tatami stitch that’s inspired by the ancient Japanese weave technique, while falling petal embroidery features on the rear door panels, Privacy Suite partition and even the inner lining of the door-residing Bespoke umbrellas. The design and development of this art piece on wheels spanned more than six months.

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