Star of many a storybook (and a soon-to-be-released movie), Paddington Bear is no stranger to the limelight, but perhaps what he is a little unaccustomed to is the lap of ultra-luxury.
Rolls-Royce’s design director, Giles Taylor, recently gave the furry chap a Bespoke (the marque’s customisation division) makeover with inspiration taken from the car-maker’s founder and pioneer aviator, CS Rolls. Paddington’s “Taylor-made” outfit includes a brown leather duffel jacket, aviator’s cravat and racing goggles.
Dubbed the “Spirit of Paddington”, an allusion to the marque’s Spirit of Ecstasy bonnet ornament, Rolls-Royce’s interpretation, along with 49 of his “siblings” made by Britain’s foremost artists, were recently auctioned off for charity to benefit the National Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC).
The Spirit of Paddington was eventually won by artist Tracey Emin (who famously used her unmade bed as the centerpiece for her work, My Bed), who promptly and very generously donated it back to the NSPCC for future display.
