Extraordinary Materials

In the 1920s and 30s, it was not uncommon to use cloth instead of leather for the interior of your Bentley. Since then, it has only been used on bespoke commissions by Mulliner, and on cars built for the British Royal Family – until the creation of the EXP 100 GT.

For the door panels of this concept car, Gainsborough Mill, British fabric weavers for over a century, created a beautiful Cotton Damask. They used cotton dyes to create a sophisticated ombré colour gradation which makes it look as if the textile flowsed seamlessly into the adjoining veneer, adding to the cabin’s harmonious feel.

We also worked with Hand and Lock, who have been producing handmade embroideries in London for over 250 years. They used the Trapunto method, dating back to the 14th century, to create a contemporary raised quilting that adds comfort and depth to the interior.
 

The EXP 100 GT explores how leather might be used to enhance the grand tourers of the future – by continuing our use of high-quality hides and adding innovative new finishes. For the seats, we worked with the Scottish Leather Group to create soft and tactile aniline hides. Soluble dyes add colour without producing a uniform surface, allowing the natural imperfections of the leather to add an extra layer of texture.

For the doors, we collaborated with another Scottish leather maker, Bridge of Weir, to create an ultra-soft nubuck leather with a metallic finish. An innovative hand-spray process allows the copper-coloured surface to blend seamlessly into the curving metal around it, while hand-buffing reveals the beauty of the leather underneath.