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Rolls-Royce celebrates Spirit of Ecstasy centenary with inspired portraits

May 11, 2011

British automaker Rolls-Royce Motor Cars is commemorating the 100th anniversary of its hood ornament, the Spirit of Ecstasy, by driving customers to its showrooms to view special portraits by the photographer Rankin.

The photographer has taken 100 photos inspired by the Spirit of Ecstasy that will be shared in Rolls-Royce dealerships. This is one of the many initiatives and events that the automaker is organizing to celebrate the iconic hood ornament’s centenary.

“This will add huge value to Rolls-Royce,” said Nigel Wonnacott, product public relations manager at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, London. “Rankin is a masterful photographer and his interpretation of beauty in the feminine form is second to none.

“There is no better person to apply the interpretation of a 100-year-old icon while also bringing into it very contemporary and striking form,” he said.

Spirited portraits
The Spirit of Ecstasy has adorned the bonnets of Rolls-Royce vehicles for a century, outlasting other notable hood ornaments and their cars.

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Spirit of Ecstasy

Charles Robinson Sykes, the man who crafted the Spirit of Ecstasy, was said to have been inspired by Eleanor Velasco Thornton.

Rankin is taking cues and is using his wife and model Tuli Shipster as his muse for this shoot.

Ms. Shipster was photographed for the first of his 100 portraits. The first two were released yesterday.

The first image offers a modern interpretation with a silhouetted Ms. Shipster draped in flowing fabric.

rolls-royce-ecstasy-flow

Embodying the Spirit

The second is a close-up version of the model, with her hair and face painted silver.

rolls-royce-ecstasy-closeup

Metallic finish

The themes of power, age, intrigue, mystery, speed, wind and metallic will blend with materials, fabrics and paint in the series of photographs.

The portraits will both complement one another as a set but are strong enough to stand alone, per the brand.

The photographs will feel fresh, directional and original meant to make a statement about a modern day Rolls-Royce.

Honor rolls
This marks Rolls-Royce’s continuation of the centenary celebration.

The brand is showcasing the first of Rankin’s European Collections in London this week. There is also the opportunity to see some of the Spirit of Ecstasy portraits in the showrooms.

Rolls-Royce celebrated the 100th anniversary of its iconic hood mascot with a grand procession of branded vehicles in London Feb. 6 (see story).

Now owned by BMW, the automaker has also created bespoke Phantom models with Spirit-inspired accoutrements and etchings around the ornament. Rolls-Royce customers will be the first to see and hear of these events.

Rolls-Royce is determined to keep the first priority to participate in these initiatives for its customers. Therefore, the brand has chosen traditional methods to market the Spirit of Ecstasy anniversary.

“We are a very tight-knit family and we know who our customers are,” Mr. Wonnacott said. “We will be calling them and contacting them through trusted affiliates.”

Final Take
Rachel Lamb, editorial assistant on Luxury Daily, New York

Rachel Lamb is an associate reporter on Luxury Daily. Her beats are apparel and accessories, arts and entertainment, education, food and beverage, fragrance and personal care, government, healthcare, home furnishings, jewelry, legal/privacy and nonprofits. Reach her at rachel@napean.com.