Rolls Royce Vancouver Unveils the Phantom
In the fashion world the word ‘bespoke’ is bandied about and we know that in the loosest sense ‘made by hand’ is applied to men’s suits, ties and even pocket squares. So imagine applying this definition to a luxury vehicle such as a Rolls Royce. Traditionally a Rolls Royce requires 450 hours to create, whereas the Phantom, the newest member of the Pinnacle Travel Collection, requires 900 hours and $829,900 to make it yours.
Christian Chia, President and CEO of the OpenRoad Auto Group welcomed approximately 75 guests (by private invite) to experience the unveiling of the Phantom. Inspired by luxury cross-continental train travel, the collection is limited to fifteen cars with Canada’s only one residing in the Vancouver showroom on West 5th. Each one offering a level of unrivalled bespoke detailing which includes sumptuous fabrics, beautiful hand-crafted marquetry and the latest in-car technologies. The marquetry is gorgeous and consists of over 230 individual pieces of wood veneer laser-cut to create the motif of the plumes of steam left behind in the wake of a speeding train. The carpets are Morello Red lambs wool floor mats and the Gold Theme interior details were realized by a craftsman using a squirrel hair brush. Mr. Chia shared that the only time robots are used at Rolls Royce is to determine the accuracy of the depth of the paint. The Rolls Royce is the epitome of bespoke.
Invitees nibbled Northern Divine organic caviar from the BC coast on silver dollar buckwheat pancakes and mini meat canapés, sipped divine bubbly Veuve Cliquot and aural bliss was provided by the pianist and violinist duo of Roy & Rosemary. This Vancouver duo performed seamlessly and gorgeously on point. Rosemary Siemens was resplendent in a full length haltered mermaid dress in varying ocean blues and bedazzling. Her unique hair-bow was created by InSalon at the behest of the duo’s fashion stylist Donna of Donna Rose Styles. Donna herself was elegant in a bell sleeved Robert Rodriquez knit dress adorned with a waterfall necklace of honey bees, skulls and black daisies by local steampunk designer Carolyn Bruce.
Roy Tan performed in a black tux and bowtie on a Fazioli F228 piano which glittered with gold. This concert piano is enveloped in 24 carat gold leaf and finished with transparent polyester which protects the gold leaf and makes it shine beautifully. Yana Levkovich, of Fazioli Vancouver indicated that this concert piano was handcrafted in the factory northeast of Venice, Italy, and retails for a touch under $500,000.
Once unveiled, the Phantom lit up with dozens of flashes from both photographers and aficionados. The doors were opened and eager invitees took turns sitting in the driver’s seat posing for social media shots. I casually commented to FMA Entertainment’s Andy Chu that though the Phantom is thoroughly gorgeous, wherever would you park such a car? He replied chuckling at my naivety, my dear, you would never drive this car, your driver would and where to park it would be his problem not yours!
Facepalm.
Well said my friend, very well said.
Article and Images by Helen Siwak
HELEN SIWAK is all about food, fashion and furry friends. She is the
president and co-founder of eco-friendly local luxury fashion
re-seller KitsilanoKittysCloset.com (offering shoppers classic
designers like Armani, Versace, Dior to modern trendsetters such as
Jeremy Scott, Kate Spade and Stella McCartney) and a plant-based
healthy food advocate with VitVitVegan.com food service. She and
her partner Vlassis have three rescue pets, interns, a fridge full of
veggies and a shiny motorcycle. Life is good.