By the time Rolls-Royce unveiled its one-of-a-kind Serenity Phantom at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show, it was already one of the most buzzed about debuts of the international showcase.
Rendered opalescent with glossy mother of pearl paint and detailed with polished bamboo and smoked cherry wood, it was immediately hailed as "the world's most beautiful Rolls-Royce" and "fit for royalty."
But it's what's inside that truly captivated: The entire interior -- from the seats to the headliner -- was upholstered with pastel blue raw silk, sourced from Suzhou, one of China's silk embroidery capitals, and woven in one of the UK's oldest mills. Delicate flowers, a riff on Japanese royal robes and chinoiserie, were embroidered and hand-painted throughout.
This intricate beauty befit an opulent palace living room, or a priceless couture gown.
"With the fabric, the beauty of it, you just have to stop what you were thinking about and enjoy the moment," says Cherica Haye, the 31-year-old color and textiles maven who helped conceive the interiors. It was she who designed the distinctive floral motif and hand-painted the flowers within.
"It brings you down from 100 to a normal level. With materials you can do that."
Haye is part of Rolls-Royce Bespoke, a studio of craftsman and artisans charged with designing the marque's most ambitious, and expensive, custom models.
Initially trained in fashion at Central Saint Martins -- the prestigious London college that countsAlexander McQueen and John Galliano as alums -- she's elevating auto interiors to new heights.
Latest Stories
-
IPR Ghana@50: Pupils educated to keep the environment clean
5 mins -
PenTrust CEO named ‘Best Pensions CEO’, company wins ‘Scheme Administrator Award’ at Ghana Accountancy & Finance Awards 2024
25 mins -
Alan Kyerematen’s ‘Brighter Future for Health Professionals’ in Ghana Revealed in Bono
35 mins -
NPP will ensure a safer, cleaner and greener environment – Dr Kokofu
43 mins -
2024 Election: Police to deal with individuals who will cause trouble – IGP
44 mins -
Seychelles President’s visit rekindles historical and diplomatic ties with Ghana
50 mins -
Election 2024: EC destroys defective ballot papers for Ahafo and Volta regions
60 mins -
2024 Election: I am sad EC disqualified me, but I endorse CPP’s candidate – PNP’s Nabla
1 hour -
I want to build a modern, inclusive country anchored by systems and data – Bawumia to CSOs
1 hour -
Miss Health Ghana 2024: Kujori Esther Cachana crowned new Health Ambassador
2 hours -
Livestream: The manifesto debate on WASH and climate change
2 hours -
Alan Kyerematen saddened by NDC and NPP’s neglect of Krofrom Market in the Ashanti Region
2 hours -
CSIR Executive Director urges farmers to adopt technology for improved farming
2 hours -
Football Impact Africa’s Ghetto Love Initiative inspires change in Teshie
2 hours -
Peter Toobu calls for tighter border security over uncovered weapons at Tema Port
2 hours