2025 marked a defining year for Bespoke at Rolls-Royce, not only in terms of artistic output but in the evolution of craft, material expression, and the commissioning experience itself. The many Bespoke innovations in 2025 reflect a defining mindset: the vision comes first, and Rolls-Royce will shape the technology and material landscapes to meet it.
Several disciplines entered new dimensions, conceptually and literally, as embroidery, marquetry and printing were reimagined in sculptural form. These included self-supporting thread structures for 3D embroideries, specially developed 3D ink layering techniques and complex 3D marquetry. New materials such as 24-carat gold leaf, polished concrete and a patented fragrance concept for the interior suite of a Rolls-Royce further expanded the marque’s repertoire. Innovations such as a fully hand-painted Starlight Headliner featuring the Milky Way that took over 160 hours to complete demonstrate how traditional techniques continue to evolve within Rolls-Royce.
At the Head of Bespoke Design, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, is Martina Starke. With a design career spanning more than two decades, Martina’s work is shaped by years of collaboration across multiple creative and craft disciplines, as well as having frontline insights into the expectations of the world’s most discerning clients. Martina took some time out from her busy schedule to talk to Driven Women Magazine about her unique role.
Martina began with an apprenticeship in textile design before advancing to formal design studies and throughout her career, she has embraced diverse creative and craft disciplines and materials at the core of her design philosophy.
Joining BMW Group in 2001, Martina worked across exterior, interior, colour and material design roles. Most recently, she served as Studio Director at Designworks, BMW Group’s innovation studio, before taking on the role of the Head of Bespoke Design at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars in 2024. In this position, Martina leads the development of one-off client commissions and Private Collections by Rolls-Royce, pushing further the limits of Bespoke personalisation.
“At Rolls-Royce, everything we do is client-driven – we turn clients’ dreams into reality. While the briefs can be creatively challenging, they offer us the freedom to experiment and innovate. I truly appreciate the opportunity to work closely with our clients, some of the world’s most successful and fascinating people,” Martina told Driven Women Magazine.
As the Head of Bespoke Design, Martina needs to understand the world of the clients. Having a close relationship with them gives her invaluable insight into their lives. Researching their passions and studying the environment in which they consume Rolls-Royce products allows Martina to anticipate their needs and create commissions that respond to their wishes and reflect their lifestyles.
“In achieving so, leadership is crucial. I am continuously amazed by the creativity and dedication of my team; their diverse talents complement each other and my role is to make sure each team member achieves the best of their ability. I work on fostering a collaborative, open environment, a space where feedback and the exchange of ideas thrive. Having broad experience across exterior, interior and material design helps me understand and support their needs,” said Martina.
Working across various disciplines, exploring design from different angles and being the custodian of an iconic brand like Rolls-Royce is a true highlight for Martina. Creating personal expressions of clients’ individuality, cherished collectables that will be passed down through generations is key. In bringing clients’ passions to life, her team have the wonderful challenge of expanding the boundaries of craftsmanship, material and innovations whilst preserving the fundamental Rolls-Royce DNA.
“I enjoy working with my team on deeply personal, emotional commissions. One example of this approach is Spectre Bailey, a client’s tribute to their beloved dog, a Labrador-Golden Retriever mix. We matched the paint to the fur hue on Bailey’s ear, developed a lifelike marquetry portrait of Bailey, made of 180 pieces of veneer, and even created a coachline motif that exactly reproduces Bailey’s paw print. It was deeply rewarding to see the client’s reaction to this incredible motor car,” shared Martina.
Every highly Bespoke commission comes as a result of a close collaboration between the designers, artisans and Bespoke engineers. After the theme has been agreed with a client, Martina’s team dives deep into that subject to make sure the design has authentic and meaningful references. Once the design concept is shaped, they translate each motif into material using specific craft techniques, which can take months to perfect. To achieve a flawless execution, Martina’s team works hand-in-hand with the Rolls-Royce artisans through multiple iterations and loops of experimentation, defining each stitch direction, the precise angle of veneer application, or perfecting the paint formula.
Rolls-Royce have some of the most talented, skillful and driven craftspeople in the world, who continuously work on mastering new materials, inventing and perfecting craft techniques to offer clients even more mediums for self-expression.
In most areas, traditional craft goes hand-in-hand with innovative techniques. In embroidery, for example, the artisans digitally recreate designs using specialised software, programming each stroke. Drawing on extensive material expertise, they precisely determine the direction, trajectory, and density of stitches to achieve specific style, from sculptural to hand-sketched.
Working with each client is very different for Martina. Some clients choose to review ideas remotely in the privacy of their own home, coming to Rolls-Royce as they appreciate its creative direction, and having full trust their theme will come to life in the ultimate Rolls-Royce way.
“One can compare this process to commissioning a painting,” according to Martina.
Other clients love to be involved, viewing the commissioning process as a close collaboration. The concept can start with one idea that evolves and expands with each conversation. These clients often travel to the Home of Rolls-Royce to meet Martina’s team, review the materials together and see early development samples for their one-off designs. Each design journey is individual, and Rolls-Royce appreciates each and every project.
“We in Bespoke Design thoroughly enjoy a creative challenge. One of the joys of our work is the versatility of subjects we tackle, one day we’re studying the ancient mural art of China, the next, we’re researching the 8-bit vintage video games. Recently, one of the most challenging and rewarding projects was Phantom Centenary Private Collection – a Bespoke tribute to 100 Years of Phantom. How do you do justice to a century-long story within a single design?
To answer that, my team spent a year researching, uncovering stories, people, and moments that shaped Phantom’s legend. These stories were brought to life through ground-breaking crafts – couturier-designed textiles, sketch-like embroidery, laser-etched leather, 3D marquetry, gilding, 3D ink layering, iridescent paint and solid gold details,” explained Martina.
The Rolls-Royce Bespoke Collective of designers, engineers and artisans poured their skill and imagination into what has become their magnum opus. They immersed themselves in Phantom’s world, studying the spirit and identity of each generation from the 1920s to today. They explored defining owners, pivotal figures within Rolls-Royce, the places where Phantom was conceived and built, and the events that defined its times. These influences, first captured as 77 hand-sketched motifs, are woven into the Phantom Centenary Private Collection through stunningly crafted archival references, creating a statement that honours Phantom’s past, defines its present, and projects the principles that will shape the nameplate’s next 100 years and beyond. The Phantom Centenary Private Collection is limited to just 25 examples.
“I am inspired to see the shifts that have happened in the industry over the past 25 years. Today, Design is an empowering field with many successful women leading the way. In my team, a significant number of female designers hold key leadership roles – in fact, some of this year’s most important innovations were driven by female creatives. We’re also seeing more female artisans bringing immense value through their expertise, precision, and problem-solving mindset,” concluded Martina.
In her role as Head of Bespoke Design, Martina has been involved in almost every one of Rolls-Royce’s Bespoke commissions. One of the most recent commissions, the Black Badge Ghost Gamer, was for an Australian client.
Inspired by the 8-bit universe of vintage video games, it was created for a client with a deep passion for early arcade culture, this nostalgic motor car incorporates intricately crafted references to the dawn of gaming. Coded with details including a hand-painted ‘Cheeky Alien’ exterior Coachline motif, ‘Player One’ seat embroidery, ‘Pixel Blaster’ Starlight Headliner, a unique ‘Laser Base’ Illuminated Fascia, and a hidden cache of joystick-era Easter eggs, the discovery of every feature turns the motor car itself into a stunningly crafted game.
The Bespoke Rolls-Royce motor cars of 2025 reveal a series of distinct creative themes. Some draw on legacy and love, shaped by personal stories, family journeys and intergenerational connections. Others explore the natural world, or reinterpret art, architecture and cultural symbolism through a contemporary lens. Together, they represent the most compelling creative directions of the year and reflect an ongoing expansion of what it means to create a Rolls-Royce.
Photographs by Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.