When you reach a certain level, even the best mass-produced goods lose all charm; a locale as famous as the Italian Riviera, for instance, isn’t pining after a car that just anyone could drive — it’s deserving of a custom-made gift. Its winding city streets and quirky, colourful facades embrace the beauty of novelty and individuality with flawless ease. So, as a tribute to the seaside villages and winemaking traditions along Italy’s Cinque Terre, Rolls-Royce went with a personal touch: meet the Rolls-Royce Bespoke Phantom.
For those who don’t speak Italian, Cinque Terre means “Five Lands,” and directly refers to five fishing towns (Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore) dotting the picturesque coast of Liguria in Northern Italy. The surrounding mountain roads protect each town from high-traffic tourism — trains and boats connect the villages to one another.
As part of the Cinque Terre National Park, the towns make up a UNESCO World Heritage site. Their sloping terraces host world-famous winemaking facilities, with vineyards overlooking turquoise waters. Referenced in The Divine Comedy, the region has long been a muse. Just ten years ago, Cinque Terre was a shooting location for Martin Scorsese’s The Wolf of Wall Street; as recently as 2021, the route inspired Pontorosso, the fictional setting of Pixar’s Luca.
Even if it’s widely admired, capturing the beauty of Cinque Terre is no easy feat — especially when your canvas is a Rolls-Royce. Inside, a map of Italy bears no less than 14,338 individual stitches. The final design is the fruit of months spent determining optimum thread widths and angles to ensure a sparkling silver quality worthy of a Royce. Inside the glovebox, the Rolls-Royce Bespoke Phantom stores a silver debossing that depicts the region. In a tribute to the region’s winemaking, satin-stitched grape branch motifs adorn the rear doors with an elegant quality and true-to-life lustre.
The car’s fascia hosts specially commissioned paintings that bring together cherrypicked elements from each of the region’s five villages. They’re electric, oozing charm from their sun-drenched and cheery palette. It’s a buoyant and bright accent amidst an otherwise regal, creamy interior.
The Rolls-Royce Bespoke Phantom is securely parked for its commissioner, never to be replicated. This novel aspect is a trademark of the modern luxury market; in high-end spaces, automakers, designers, and watchmakers are playful with commissions, refining their craft to complete avant-garde and conceptual requests like the Bespoke Phantom. The benefit is twofold: the commissioner receives a bespoke vehicle, with one-of-one features to reflect their individuality, while the automaker refines their craft, building a top-notch portfolio with dazzling specs. It’s a win-win.
Source : SHARP
