The ultimate in British lifestyle design: Rolls Royce picnic hampers

A bit of British design for you today folks. The expression that X “is the Rolls Royce” of a category has long been accepted as a way of saying that something is top of the range. So it’s exciting to see that Rolls Royce have taken one of my favourite things in the world (four person picnic hampers) and applied their design and engineering skills to it. The result is a trunk that puts even the famous Fortnum & Mason hampers to shame. Gavin Hartley, the Rolls-Royce Motor Cars bespoke design manager is quoted on the website as saying “The creation of a bespoke picnic set was always a question of entertainment, not just functionality. You choose to eat outdoors and you want to do it in an entertaining and elegant way, to make an occasion of the experience. Our design encapsulates that approach.” I couldn’t agree more. The set blends attributes of traditional wicker hampers, but in a leather front-folded unit that facilitates air flow while offering the solidity of a trunk. The hamper is made from oiled teak, saddle tan leather from a small tannery in Germany, polished aluminium and stainless steel. After opening the set and folding out Indian rosewood tables, owners are presented with Goodwood designed hand-blown and cut stemware, cutlery made by David Mellor CBE and clever design touches like magnets inside chopping boards to hold knives in place. This is indeed, the Rolls Royce of picnic hampers. And I want one more than I can say.