Ethan K’s latest collection of handcrafted exotic leather bags is an ode to Rolls-Royce’s iconic cars
by Annie Asistio
At first glance, Ethan K’s meticulous leather artistry seems worlds apart from the bespoke realm of Rolls-Royce motoring. Ethan K’s signature pieces, crafted from rare and exotic leathers, are treasured by collectors much like diamonds, as founder and Singaporean designer Ethan Koh describes.
The brand’s roots run deep. Founded by Koh, whose family established the Heng Long tannery in the 1970s and supplied crocodile hide to French luxury conglomerate LVMH, Ethan K has grown from a heritage of leather craftsmanship into a globally recognised name known for rare, collectible creations.
A Rolls-Royce car is no different. Car enthusiasts queue for bespoke creations of their own—from unique exterior paint colours to leather seat upholstery with personalised embroidery, and the Phantom’s starlight headliner that evokes a starry night sky. Like Ethan K’s designs, these vehicles embody the essence of modern luxury: individuality, craftsmanship, and the art of creating something truly exceptional.
Left: The Alla Bag. Right: Ethan K inside the Rolls-Royce Phantom with the Duchess Bag. Top: The Mini Briefcase with the Rolls-Royce Spectre.
It was this shared philosophy that sparked the collaboration. When Koh had a chance encounter with the carmaker’s managing director for Singapore, Renee Chua—who happened to be a fan of his signature creations—he immediately seized the opportunity to create a collection inspired by Rolls-Royce’s most celebrated models.
“Renee and I had several conversations over the past months and realised that we share similar values—the spirit of craftsmanship and design philosophy. So the collaboration was a natural step for both Ethan K and Rolls-Royce to share our universe via our stunning creations with the special line of rare and exceptional pieces, with unique colours and finishes,” Koh shared to Boulevard.
For Koh, this was a match made in heaven, with both brands celebrating the ethos in movement and the beauty of bespoke creations: “The Spirit of Ecstasy and the emblem of Eleanor Thornton—which represents freedom of movement—bears a similar meaning to our iconic Hedgehog, a bag clasp that represents adventure and freedom of movement, inspired by Danish author Hans Christian Andersen’s fairytales.”
The Mini Briefcase inside the Rolls-Royce Spectre.
The collaboration comes to life through a series of limited pieces. Among the highlights of the collection is the well-loved Duchess Bag, coinciding with its tenth anniversary. The bag is reimagined in Royal Portrait Black and Arctic White ostrich leather, which is a nod to the Phantom’s colour.
The bag’s significance to Rolls-Royce goes beyond its colour. Koh recalled, “One of my fondest memories was when the Duchess of York carried our Duchess Bag while curtsying to Queen Elizabeth II, and her majesty then stepped into her Rolls.”
He added, “The royals and their Rolls share a long history. Queen Elizabeth II was often seen on royal duties in her Phantom V State Limousine, including occasions at Royal Ascot, where several royals curtsied to her majesty.”
Another standout piece is the Alla Bag, finished in a new iridescent metallic colour. “An outstanding Rolls-Royce design element is the constellations on the roof of the Phantom. We realised the gorgeous Alla with handpainted, metallic-finished crocodile leather, which resembles the constellations and the blue interiors of the car,” Koh said.
“True to Rolls-Royce’s emphasis on the Milky Way and our key themes of several collections inspired by Vincent Van Gogh’s ‘The Starry Night’, our similarities in thought are endless,” he added.
Left: The Revenge Bag and Alla Bag on top of the Rolls-Royce Phantom. Right: The Voyage 2025 luggage and handbag.
While globally available at boutiques in Harrods London and L’Eclaireur Paris, Koh has consistently remained true to his Singaporean roots and launched the collection at Rolls-Royce Motor Car’s flagship showroom in Singapore.
“As Singapore is my hometown and close to my heart, it was a natural choice to have our gorgeous new collection to make its debut in this lion city,” Koh said. “Also Singapore is home to many of our avid collectors who value and cherish rare and exceptional pieces. We felt that our collectors had to have the first view.”
He added, “Appreciating exotic leathers is just like appreciating diamonds, there is the cut, clarity, colour, and each facet makes it exciting and a collectible.”
Today, the Ethan K and Rolls-Royce collaboration marks not a departure from that legacy, but an evolution of it, extending Singaporean craftsmanship onto a global stage while remaining rooted in the values that shaped the brand.
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