ROLLS-ROYCE REVEALS RED PHANTOM COMMISSION WITH MICKALENE THOMAS
Auction to Benefit (RED)’s Fight Against AIDS
- The House of Rolls-Royce marks 115 years of luxury with spectacular Red Phantom commission to benefit the global AIDS charity (RED)’s fight against AIDS.
- Rolls-Royce partners with acclaimed contemporary artist Mickalene Thomas who will create a custom artwork and livery wrap for the winning bidder
- Exclusive December 4 – 13, 2019 online with global auction partner RM Sotheby’s
- One of a kind, 2020 Red Phantom revealed during celebration at One Thousand Museum during Art Basel in Miami Beach
The House of Rolls Royce today revealed images of a Bespoke 2020 Red Phantom, commissioned to benefit (RED), the global charity and its fight to end AIDS. First sketches of the red-themed creation were revealed by the world’s leading luxury manufacturer seven months ago at the Sotheby’s Galleries in New York City. On Wednesday evening, December 4, The Red Phantom Bespoke Commission will be unveiled at a gala event at the One Thousand Museum in Miami as RM Sotheby’s launches an exclusive online auction to run through December 13, 2019. Proceeds above the cost of the item* will benefit (RED)’s fight to end AIDS.
The winning collector will have the unique opportunity to collaborate with one of the world’s most respected contemporary artists, Mickalene Thomas, to create a work of art in the form of a custom wrap for the exterior of the car. Thomas will also create an original artwork inspired by the Red Phantom for the collector. When the digital hammer falls, the ultimate bidder will be the proud owner of the Red Phantom, a personalized work and design by Ms. Thomas and the honor of having supported (RED) in its mission.
“It is an honor and privilege to present this one of a kind commission created by the more than 2,000 men and women in Goodwood, Home of Rolls-Royce,” said Martin Fritsches, President and CEO of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Americas. “Everyone on our team is deeply inspired by this world-class commission, and equally by the importance of the cause it was created to support – (RED)’s fight to end AIDS. We are proud to partner with Mickalene Thomas, RM Sotheby’s and our other partners to achieve an outstanding result from this auction.”
“We’re so grateful to Rolls Royce for donating profits from the Red Phantom to the fight to end AIDS. We need all forces mobilized against this pandemic which is the leading cause of death among young women. We also want to thank Mickalene Thomas for her creative genius, as well as our partners Bank of America and Netjets for their support of this auction to help the Global Fund wipe AIDS off the planet.” Said Jennifer Lotito, Chief Operations Officer, (RED)
The exterior wears a newly developed Bespoke color finish of Crystal over Magma Red with tiny particles of crystal captured in the final layers of finish creating a luxurious luminescence. The handcrafted Bespoke leather interior in Brilliant Arctic White is offset by bright Mugello Red highlights overseen by the iconic and colorful Mugello Red ‘Shooting Starlight Headliner.’ Housed within a single-piece glass fascia and extending across the instrument panel, the Gallery design, ‘Red Regatta Sails’ is constructed of Bespoke Mugello Red leather.
This Red Phantom is waiting for a home to benefit (RED)’s fight to end AIDS.
About (RED)®
(RED) was founded in 2006 by Bono and Bobby Shriver to engage businesses and people in the fight against AIDS. (RED) partners with the world’s most iconic brands that contribute proceeds from (RED)-branded goods and services to the Global Fund. (RED) Partners include: AirAsia, Alessi, Amazon, Andaz, Apple, Bank of America, Beats by Dr. Dre, Belvedere, Calm, Claro, Dannon, Durex, eos, Fatboy USA, Girl Skateboards, Johnson & Johnson, MCM, Montblanc, Mophie, quip, Salesforce, SAP, Starbucks, Telcel, Vespa, Vilebrequin and Wanderlust.
To date, (RED) has generated more than $600 million for the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, to support HIV/AIDS grants in Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Rwanda, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania and Zambia. 100 percent of that money goes to work on the ground – no overhead is taken. Global Fund grants that (RED) supports have impacted over 140 million people with prevention, treatment, counseling, HIV testing and care services. For more information, please see www.red.org
The Global Fund is a partnership designed to accelerate the end of AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria as epidemics. As an international organization, the Global Fund mobilizes and invests more than US$4 billion a year to support programs run by local experts in more than 100 countries. In partnership with governments, civil society, technical agencies, the private sector and people affected by the diseases, we are challenging barriers and embracing innovation.
About RED Phantom
This very special Red Phantom has been designed to benefit (RED)’s fight to end AIDS. Proceeds above the cost of the item* will benefit the global charity.
The commission design, by the world-renowned Bespoke Design Collective in Goodwood, England, Home of Rolls-Royce stands alone as a natural authority. Designers have carried the powerful Red theme throughout the design in subtle and luxurious style. This Red Phantom makes a statement, especially upon its regal arrival.
The exterior wears a Bespoke color finish of Crystal over Magma Red. Tiny particles of crystal have been captured in the final layers of finish give it a luxurious luminescence. Recently created by the Rolls-Royce design engineers, the finish is comprised of five layers, each hand-polished for more than five hours. The vehicle’s wood veneers were expertly selected and finished by hand with six coats of lacquer to ensure a perfect finish.
The handcrafted Bespoke leather interior and appointments throughout are created from 9 hides of hand-selected and drum-dyed leather with a color scheme of stunning Arctic White with Mugello Red highlights. And overhead the new owner will enjoy a newly designed icon of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, a Mugello Red Shooting Starlight Headliner with 1,600 fiber optic wires extending the entire length of the interior ceiling.
The new Phantom introduced a Bespoke opportunity previously unseen in luxury motoring to showcase a new level of interior artistry and craftsmanship. Housed within a single-piece glass fascia and extending across the instrument panel, the Gallery delivers visual and emotional elements that are unique to Phantom. The Gallery is constructed of Bespoke Mugello Red leather design entitled ‘Regatta Sails’ assembled in a clean room environment. This commission features custom treadplates commemorating the 115th Anniversary of the world’s premier name in luxury
About Mickalene Thomas
Mickalene Thomas (b. 1971, Camden, New Jersey) is best known for her elaborate paintings composed of rhinestones, acrylic and enamel. She makes paintings, collages, photography, video, and installations that draw on art history and popular culture to create a contemporary vision of female sexuality, beauty, and power. Blurring the distinction between object and subject, concrete and abstract, real and imaginary, Thomas constructs complex portraits, landscapes, and interiors in order to examine how identity, gender, and sense-of-self are informed by the ways women are represented in art and popular culture.
Mickalene Thomas’s work is held in the permanent collections of New York’s Museum of Modern Art, Brooklyn Museum, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, Whitney Museum of American Art, Hammer Museum, and Smithsonian American Art Museum, among many others. She lives and works in Brooklyn, New York. For more information, visit www.mickalenethomas.com.
