• The Phantom is an impressive sight in any car mirror. All photos Wassim Raslan
    The Phantom is an impressive sight in any car mirror. All photos Wassim Raslan
  • Cesar Habib, Rolls-Royce's regional director, pulls the covers off the Phantom Iridescent Opulence.
    Cesar Habib, Rolls-Royce's regional director, pulls the covers off the Phantom Iridescent Opulence.
  • The Gallery feature on the Phantom Iridescent Opulence is made up of more than 3,000 feathers.
    The Gallery feature on the Phantom Iridescent Opulence is made up of more than 3,000 feathers.
  • The dashboard design changes colour when viewed from different angles.
    The dashboard design changes colour when viewed from different angles.
  • The Phantom's speaker set - there are many more around the cabin.
    The Phantom's speaker set - there are many more around the cabin.
  • The Phantom gives the impression of being reassuringly solid.
    The Phantom gives the impression of being reassuringly solid.
  • The RR stylings on the wheels are horizontal to the ground, whatever speed you're travelling.
    The RR stylings on the wheels are horizontal to the ground, whatever speed you're travelling.
  • The Phantom's rear headlight.
    The Phantom's rear headlight.
  • Feathers are a theme on the Iridescent Opulence.
    Feathers are a theme on the Iridescent Opulence.
  • Starry effects come as standard on Rolls-Royce cabin ceilings.
    Starry effects come as standard on Rolls-Royce cabin ceilings.
  • The Phantom's distinctive headlight.
    The Phantom's distinctive headlight.
  • The bespoke vehicle was unveiled in Abu Dhabi.
    The bespoke vehicle was unveiled in Abu Dhabi.
  • A sleek side view of the new vehicle.
    A sleek side view of the new vehicle.
  • The Phantom Iridescent Opulence remains on display in the UAE capital.
    The Phantom Iridescent Opulence remains on display in the UAE capital.

Phantom Iridescent Opulence: A Rolls-Royce featuring 3,000 feathers is revealed in the UAE


Simon Wilgress-Pipe
  • English
  • Arabic

Rolls-Royce is continuing its pledge to make each of its vehicles as individual as possible with the launch of the one-off Phantom Iridescent Opulence.

In an Abu Dhabi reveal, the covers came off the marque's latest bespoke offering, alongside the usual general fanciness, its centrepiece dashboard made up of more than 3,000 feathers and a clock inlaid with mother of pearl. The company refers to this dashboard area as The Gallery, and it is a place where customers are encouraged to show off any artistic inclinations by commissioning something personal.

Take a look through the photo gallery above to see more.

The shiny styling on the Iridescent Opulence was created by Swiss company Nature Squared, an outfit that calls itself an ethical design brand. And, in keeping with this self-referencing, those working on the Rolls-Royce project sourced the fancy plumage from a sustainable species of bird and the entire piece was painstakingly created by hand.

The vehicle was fitted with its dashboard in what Rolls-Royce calls its Clean Room at the manufacturer’s home in Goodwood, on England’s south coast, to minimise the chances of there being an annoying speck of dirt on any new artwork.

Rolls-Royce is not shy about styling itself as the ultimate luxury brand, and its bespoke services appear to be chiming well with its affluent customers.

“An understanding that the marque’s patrons are increasingly collectors of fine and contemporary art led the Rolls-Royce Design Team to create a space in which to curate and to commission, to exhibit, admire and reflect,” the company says of its Gallery space, echoing what some might think is in tune with a catalogue for an art exhibition.

The Iridescent Opulence was commissioned by a Rolls-Royce customer and will be on the capital's roads imminently.