The 2016 Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupé is a spectacular automobile that continues the grand British tradition of elegance, culture, heritage and history. The name Rolls-Royce and its mascot Spirit of Ecstasy has long been associated with the epithet “the Best Car in the World” and synonymous with whatever is the finest product available. For citizens of United Kingdom and its territories, the description Royal Warrant is a familiar word. For those of us on this side of the pond, many don’t even have a clue to what it is because we have nothing like it here. However we may have seen the Royal Crest marked on products like, Crabtree & Evelyn, Fortnum & Mason, HP Sauce, Johnny Walker, and Twinning’s Tea for example with the unmistakable “By Appointment to Her Majesty The Queen” proudly displayed below. There are over 269 members on the list and includes most trades like food, clothes, jewelers, household items and automobile manufacturers like Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. Royal Warrants were granted at first to those entities exclusively serving the Royal Household but over the years they were allowed to serve the public.
This brings us to another word familiar with the Brits called “bespoke”. In the Mayfair District of central London is Savile Row, known for men’s bespoke tailoring harking back to 1846. Originating from “be spoken for”, it simply means made to order exclusively per the customer’s choice of materials and style to tailor a suit, shirt, tie, hat or shoes to fit his physique. Members of the Royal Household, Emperors, and leaders from all over the world as well as celebrities and VIP’s in the business world have shopped on Savile Row. High-end automobile manufacturers have bespoke programs whereby the customer can choose from a myriad of colors and performance upgrades and choices of wheels and tires for the exterior. He or she can also choose the exact materials for the interior upholstery and trim to personalize the vehicle. After all of the choices are made, then the assembly of this bespoke automobile begins. It will truly be unique as no one else will have exactly the same creation as you. For instance when you order a pair of shoes from John Lobb on St. James Street you won’t get hem for months. In other words, bespoke is an art form where tradition and skills have been passed on from one generation to another, where apprenticeship is what keeps the trade alive. Back in the beginning every Rolls-Royce was a bespoke creation known by their chassis numbers.
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