As spring graces Japan with its iconic cherry blossoms, Rolls-Royce has revealed a breathtaking tribute to the fleeting beauty of the Sakura season. The "Cherry Blossom" Phantom is a one-of-one bespoke creation, developed over three years to honor Japanese culture and the delicate art of Hanami. Commissioned by a Japanese client, this Phantom Extended turns the spirit of spring into a luxurious, moving gallery of heritage craftsmanship and emotional storytelling.
Inside the bespoke Phantom, over 250,000 hand-stitched threads bring cherry blossoms to life with remarkable intricacy. The centerpiece is a bespoke Starlight Headliner, where individually crafted petals shimmer with jewel-like reflections. The floral embroidery extends across the rear doors and partition, creating the illusion of sitting beneath a blooming tree during Hanami. In a pioneering move, Rolls-Royce used three-dimensional embroidery techniques to give the petals a lifelike, sculptural presence—hand-shaped using traditional Japanese methods adapted to modern design.
While the interior evokes natural poetry, the exterior remains elegantly understated. Painted in Crystal over Arctic White, the car carries a hand-painted coachline that ends in a subtle cherry blossom flourish. Even the umbrellas housed within the doors continue the seasonal theme, featuring a petal motif on their linings. These thoughtful touches extend the Sakura narrative across every detail, transforming the car into a harmonious fusion of beauty, culture, and craftsmanship.
For Rolls-Royce, the Cherry Blossom Phantom is more than an automotive achievement—it’s a philosophical expression. “The cherry blossom represents the ephemeral nature of life,” said Martina Starke, General Manager of Bespoke Design. This model embodies that idea through its elegant execution of fleeting beauty captured in lasting materials. It’s a personal memory turned into timeless art, designed not just for prestige, but for preserving emotion and meaning across generations.
Started my career in Automotive Journalism in 2015. Even though I'm a pharmacist, hanging around cars all the time has created a passion for the automotive industry since day 1.