Who's That Gal?
The actress behind the Spirit of Ecstasy, the mascot on every Rolls-Royce, and other women who have inspired famous emblems.
In February 1911, the artist Charles Sykes presented Rolls-Royce with the sculpture of a flying lady that would go on to become its mascot, the Spirit of Ecstasy. The managing director, Claude Johnson, had commissioned the mascot after owners began fixing ‘inappropriate’ ornaments to their motor cars. Sykes chose to model his sculpture on actress Eleanor Thornton, the mistress of his friend the 2nd Lord Montagu of Beaulieu, motoring pioneer and editor of Car Illustrated Magazine.
Other women who have provided inspiration for famous emblems include:
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