Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has drawn on Qatar’s pearl-diving heritage and Britain’s maritime traditions to create bespoke designs that transform luxury vehicles into stories of culture, craftsmanship and individuality.
The designs were showcased at an exclusive event at the Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Doha showroom, highlighting how traditional maritime influences can inspire contemporary automotive artistry.
Michelle Lusby, bespoke lead designer at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars’ Private Office in Dubai, said that the Phantom Emerald and Cullinan Emerald showcase how the company draws on the historical significance of shipbuilding and pearl diving in the Middle East.
“We are here in Qatar to showcase some of our bespoke projects,” she said, describing designs inspired by the region’s maritime heritage and Britain’s fishing and shipping industries.
The concept draws on two traditional vessels: the Arabic *sambuk, closely associated with pearl diving and maritime trade in the Gulf, and the Brixham trawler, which represents Britain’s fishing heritage.
Lusby said that the two influences helped shape the design direction, connecting the vehicles’ visual identity with the histories of the regions that inspired them.
One standout feature is the Phantom Emerald’s two-tone exterior, combining a vibrant red upper section with a warm, off-white golden shade.
According to Lusby, the red recalls the sails of traditional Brixham trawlers, while the lighter finish reflects the aesthetic of traditional boats in the Middle East.
Attention to detail continues inside the vehicles, where bespoke marquetry features imagery of the vessels at the front and rear.
Mother-of-pearl marquetry further celebrates the material’s association with the Gulf’s pearl-diving past.
“On the interior, we’ve looked at adding these beautiful bespoke touches using marquetry, showcasing both of the ships in the front and the rear of the interior, as well as mother-of-pearl marquetry,” Lusby said.
The presentation also featured bespoke material samples, offering visitors a glimpse into the craftspeople's work turning individual concepts into finished automotive details.
Lusby said that the company’s bespoke team was particularly busy with projects across the Middle East, where clients could develop personal commissions reflecting their interests, stories and heritage.
Rolls-Royce builds vehicles at Goodwood in West Sussex, on England’s south coast, a location Lusby said also informed the maritime inspiration behind the designs.
For Lusby, the showcase was ultimately an invitation for clients to explore their own creative ideas.
“We really inspire our clients to do their own commissions and their beautiful creations,” she said.
The event demonstrated how bespoke automotive design can bridge cultures, bringing together Qatar’s pearl-diving legacy and Britain’s maritime history through materials, colours and craftsmanship.
