What do cars, haute couture and jewellery have in common? Very little, as most people would think, which is why I rarely see my fashionista friends in most hard-core motoring events.
“Regal Elegance”, a collaboration between Rolls-Royce Manila, fashion designer Rhett Eala and Jewelmer, drew together an unusual crowd for a motoring event. While most car events are attended by motoring journalists and “motor-heads” (i.e., hard-core car enthusiasts), the Rolls-Royce Manila showroom last October 8 was filled with guests befitting fashion or lifestyle events, or chamber of commerce parties: fashionistas, businessmen, and various characters from Philippines’ high society.
The 2015 Wraith was unveiled by Rolls-Royce Cars Manila president Willy Tee Ten amidst Rhett Eala’s elegant couture and Jewelmer’s South Sea pearls and gold pieces—all exclusively designed for Rolls-Royce Manila.
Equipped with a 624 horsepower twin-turbo V12 engine, the Wraith is the most powerful Rolls-Royce. The two-door and sleek exterior give the Wraith a sporty look, but inside is a testament to Rolls-Royce’s tradition of luxury and elegance. The interiors are a combination of supple leather and premium wood.
According to iconic fashion designer Rhett Eala, “all the dresses I designed for the Regal Elegance fashion show are bespoke like a Rolls-Royce. Every detail is hand-painted and handmade as the car. This makes every piece unique.”
Jewelmer is known for their well-crafted South Sea and gold jewellery. Jacques Christophe Branellec, Jewelmer’s Deputy CEO, could have well been describing the method of producing Rolls-Royce cars when he explained the attention to detail that goes into the creation of each Jewelmer piece.
Regal Elegance highlighted obvious commonalities between Rolls-Royce cars, haute couture and fine jewellery—creations that reflect luxury, exclusivity and near (if not utter) perfection. Regal Elegance also brought together a crowd that share a common appreciation for the finer things in life.
As the fashion show concluded with all the models lined-up in the showroom, the Rolls-Royce Wraith was the ultimate fashion statement among the gowns and suits of Rhett Eala and Jewelmer pieces. The Regal Elegance pointed out a reality that some motorists might not realize—cars are like clothes. Cars are an extended part of our OOTD (the famous acronym for “Outfit Of The Day”). Fashion statements, like car choices, are expressions of what our style is, what personalities we have, what our aesthetic philosophies are.
If cars were clothes and you had to strut a red-carpet event, wouldn’t you want to say to the press that you’re wearing a Rolls-Royce?
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Karen Jimeno is a junior partner at Jimeno Cope & David Law Firm and a law professor. She hosts LegalHD on CNN Philippines Tuesdays at 9:30PM. She graduated from UP Law School and Harvard Law School, and is licensed to practice law in the Philippines and in New York.