Rolls-Royce's Phantom Orchid was Two Years in the Making

The Phantom Orchid, a ‘one-of-one’ commission by Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, made its debut in Singapore on 27 January 2022. While other car manufacturers strive to reduce build times to mere hours, R-R was content to take its time to build the Phantom Orchid - a whole two years.

Conceptualised by the Singapore dealer and Rolls-Royce Bespoke, Phantom Orchid started off as an idea that found favour with one fortunate buyer who would eventually own one of the most unique creations from Goodwood ever to be built, with a distinct Singapore flavour. Although Rolls-Royce would not reveal whether the buyer is male or female, when I opined about flowers being a feminine indulgence, management would only say I would be ‘surprised’. Make of it what you will.

The orchid was chosen as an inspirational theme for resilience, beauty and strength. Orchids have long been a focal point for art through the ages, but this is the first time they have been chosen for a Rolls-Royce commission. Also, it’s no coincidence that it’s an iconic symbol of Singapore. In fact, Helen Amy Murray, the award-winning artist tasked to create the unique, hand-sculpted silk artwork that you see in Phantom Orchid’s Gallery, spent over 200 hours poring over a myriad of orchids including the Singapore Orchid. Silk was chosen due to its resilience to Singapore’s infamous tropical heat and humidity.

Within 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 sans 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.

The exterior colour is also unique to the car, dubbed “Singapore Orchid Pearl White”, a mix of Arctic White base, a tint of violet and combined with fine glass particles through a special process. An eye-catching single coachline on either side of Phantom incorporates a Bespoke motif, inspired by an orchid, completing the theme. The result? A subtle, almost dainty, work of art that only the discerning few can really spot from afar.

Michael Bryden, Lead Designer at Rolls-Royce Bespoke who has been to Singapore multiple times and also played a pivotal role in the first one-of-one commission for the island nation’s 50th birthday, the SG50 Bespoke Ghost, said: “It draws parallels with the Singapore I know; a thoroughly modern garden city merging nature and technology effortlessly in its make-up.”

The Phantom Orchid is the 2nd of such one-of-one commissions for Singapore, and we won’t be surprised to see more on the horizon.

Credits: Text by James Wong; Photos by Rolls-Royce Motor Cars