One-of-a-kind Rolls-Royce Phantom Orchid unveiled for Singapore

By CARSIFU | 28 January 2022


SINGAPORE: Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Singapore has unveiled a "one of one" Phantom Orchid that was created by the marque’s Bespoke Collective at Goodwood in collaboration with artist Helen Amy Murray.

Designed for the island republic, the orchid was chosen as an inspirational theme for resilience, beauty and strength.

Rolls-Royce's pinnacle model, the Phantom Extended, was chosen to be the ‘blank canvas’ for the commission.

Although orchids have long been a focal point for art through the ages, this is the first time they have been chosen for a Rolls-Royce commission.

Phantom Orchid - studio - Helen Amy Murray Gallery


Award-winning artist Murray is inspired by several kinds of orchids, including the Singapore Orchid and spent over 200 hours relentlessly refining her unique, hand-sculpted silk artwork with a team of six.

The final design resides on the Phantom's Gallery or dashboard.

Phantom Orchid Coachline


Murray started by focusing on the actual orchids, which promptly led her to realise that colour was key to capturing the essence of the species.

“I have created artworks featuring orchids in the past, but my idea for the Gallery was to create something in realistic full colour, which pushed us to refine our digital printing skills," she said.

Murray started by illustrating the design by hand before creating a digital version that she could print directly onto the silk crepe satin.

The final part of the process involved a meticulous hand-sculpting of the flowers, releasing layers of fabric to create a 3D effect.

Phantom Orchid Picnic Table Inlays


For the interior, Rolls-Royce Bespoke Designer Yohan Benchetrit applied his talent to the Bespoke orchid-inspired Picnic Table Inlays in the rear of the suite which, when opened, gracefully reveal a beautiful layer of orchids set into Piano Black veneer.

He added Bespoke treadplates emanating a similar theme without text to welcome the owner and passengers into the motor car.

The interior suite, meanwhile, was furnished with elegant, natural colours which provide a soothing ambience akin to an Orchid Sanctuary.

To complete this special ‘one of one’ Phantom, a unique paint was specially created using the latest paint technology.

Arctic White was chosen as the base colour, while a tint of violet was added, inspired by orchids.

Phantom Orchid Treadplate


Combined with fine glass particles through a special process, the result is a stunning pearlescent appearance.

Under bright light, the paint technology creates a shimmering effect like no other, changing as an observer views the motor car from different angles.

Rolls-Royce Bespoke lead designer Michael Bryden said the commission drew parallels with the Singapore that he knew - a thoroughly modern garden city merging nature and technology effortlessly in its make-up.

Bryden has not only spent time in Singapore but also designed the now famous, ‘one of one’ ‘SG50 Bespoke Ghost’, created to celebrate the city state’s 50th Anniversary.

“It was the first time we had produced a motor car to celebrate such an occasion, so I am again delighted to have participated with Yohan and the Bespoke Collective here in Goodwood to create another masterpiece for Singapore,” Bryden said.

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