Inspired by Couture, Rolls-Royce & Iris Van Herpen collaborate on a masterpiece

Automobile giant Rolls-Royce joins forces with innovative fashion designer and couturier Iris van Herpen to presents Phantom Syntopia—the most technically complex Bespoke Phantom ever produced.

To push the boundaries of of innovation, craftsmanship and luxury, the two luxury houses have come together. “In collaborating with internationally renowned designer and Haute Couturière Iris van Herpen, we once again redraw the boundaries of innovation, craftsmanship and Bespoke possibility; not just for a motor car but across the wider luxury sector,” shares Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Chief Executive Officer, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.

Designer Iris van Herpen will design a bespoke Haute Couture ensemble to complement the Phantom Syntopia.“For this special collaboration I was inspired by the concept of ‘Weaving Water’ and transformed the sense of being in movement into an immersive experience of fluidity inside the Phantom,” added the couturier.

The name Phantom Syntopia is derived from Iris’ iconic 2018 collection, based on the principles of biomimicry, in which art is inspired by patterns and shapes found in nature. Similar to the collection, which features a number of sculpted garments brought to life through movement—Phantom Syntopia embodies the same fluidity through through its ‘Weaving Water’ theme.

The interior features three-dimensional textile sculptures that captures the essence of flowing water. The one-of-a-kind ‘Weaving Water’ Starlight Headliner is the most complex in Rolls-Royce history, the artwork for which was exclusively hand-crafted by specialists at the Home of Rolls-Royce and Iris van Herpen’s Amsterdam atelier.

The stunning shimmering exterior was developed with a one-off Liquid Noir paint which is iridescent in sunlight. It reveals purple, blue, magenta and gold undertones when viewed from different angles. To master this effect, the marque’s darkest solid-black paint is overlaid with a finish, incorporating a mirror-like pigment, selected for its colour-shifting properties.

In an attempt to pay tribute to Rolls-Royce’s heritage, the Phantom Syntopia dives back into an era where the driver’s seat was trimmed in hardwearing leather and the rear compartment in luxurious, inviting fabrics. The front seats of Phantom Syntopia are finished in Magic Grey leather, distinguished by its lustrous finish.