Crafting Cadillac Experience: The Art of Personalisation

WRITTEN BY FÊTE CHINOISE EDITORIAL TEAM
Photography: courtesy of cadillac and rhonda lam

Cadillac is a name synonymous with a century of automotive elegance, exquisite design, and luxury. After a successful collaboration with Cadillac for our Love at Mid-Autumn campaign, our editorial team had the pleasure of joining the Cadillac Brand Experience and being among the first to visit the innovative Cadillac House in Warren, Michigan, gaining insights into Cadillac’s commitment to elevating vehicle design and personalisation.

Cadillac’s latest EV and performance lineup, where we had chances to speak with engineers and designers

LYRIQ, CELESTIQ, and Escalade IQ SUV on display

A personal collection from Michael Simcoe, Senior Vice President, Global Design, Cadillac, on display

Rooted in a rich history of craftsmanship and cultural impact, Cadillac is transforming towards a more client-centric approach. Our conversations with engineers and designers revealed a meticulous approach to crafting their latest lineup – the LYRIQ, Escalade IQ SUV, and the all-electric CELESTIQ sedan. Each vehicle, which we had the chance to observe its exterior and interior design, is tailored to diverse lifestyles; from the LYRIQ's daily functionality to the Escalade IQ SUV's family-friendly design, and the CELESTIQ's luxurious appeal for a night on the town. The LYRIQ was also one of the vehicles that we delivered our Love at Mid-Autumn mooncakes in!

One of the highlights of the night was the exclusive opportunity to preview the 2025 OPTIQ—an exciting addition to their EV lineup in North America. Positioned below LYRIQ, OPTIQ is designed to captivate the global luxury customer with spirited driving dynamics. While additional details, features, and pricing are set to be unveiled next year, OPTIQ is already creating a buzz as Cadillac’s next milestone. This sneak peek into the future of Cadillac's EV offerings reinforces their dedication to innovation and luxury.

The journey continued with a tour of the Cadillac House at Vanderbilt, a facility for CELESTIQ clients to personalise and design their vehicles. Named in homage to Suzanne Vanderbilt, an automotive design pioneer, the Cadillac House embodies a harmonious blend of historical significance and modern opulence. At the heart of the building is a 36-foot sculptural screen by Detroit-based artist Harry Bertoia, specifically commissioned for the building, consisting of an array of enamel panels coated in molten metal to give its artistic effects. Adding an extra layer of artistic expression to the facility, the art piece exemplifies Cadillac’s commitment to infusing artistry into every facet of the automotive journey, including this brand experience event.

Cadillac CELESTIQ on display in the Cadillac House

At Cadillac House, clients enjoy a direct collaboration with designers and a dedicated concierge, tailoring every aspect of their vehicle, from fabric and colour to hardware finishing. Our visit included a firsthand exploration of various workstations, providing insights into the on-site crafting process. The outcome is more than just a vehicle; it's a tangible manifestation of the owner's unique vision and taste.

Mood board for CELESTIQ clients for customisation

Hands-on working stations and demonstrations

The customisation journey extends to the Artisan Center, where skilled artisans meticulously shape each CELESTIQ. This hands-on approach ensures that every detail, spanning from exterior aesthetics to interior luxuries, serves as a true reflection of the client's preferences. Cadillac's design philosophy, driven by the belief that nothing is impossible, fosters collaborative efforts among designers to achieve innovative visions. Sharings from engineers and designers revealed the uplifting journey of overcoming barriers and infusing their latest innovations in their latest products.

What sets Cadillac apart is its commitment to client engagement throughout the design process. CELESTIQ clients actively participate in shaping their vehicle, fostering a profound sense of ownership and connection. The Cadillac House, acting as a creative hub, becomes the nurturing ground for design roots, where faith in creativity is embraced and celebrated.

Clients can discuss the design of their dream vehicle with Cadillac designers at the Cadillac House

Our journey concluded with a Detroit tour in a LYRIQ, immersing us in the town's culture and art. We had experienced the vehicle’s compatibility, functions, and comfort, including a personal favourite—the massage function, which is unexpectedly essential and suitable for an in-vehicle experience. We also tried on Super Cruise, the hands-free driving-assistance technology, which was a refreshing experience for us. With the pleasant driving experience, we can see the vision and future that Cadillac is leading into.

In essence, Cadillac goes beyond designing vehicles; they curate experiences. The intersection of craftsmanship, personalisation, and client engagement at the Cadillac House represents a novel shift in the automotive industry, positioning Cadillac as a trailblazer redefining the essence of automotive opulence.

More from Fête Chiniose

Biblio Bash 2024 Supports A Blooming Canadian Community of Newcomers

The Toronto Public Library Foundation’s Biblio Bash once again graced the halls of the Toronto Reference Library yesterday, continuing its tradition since 2017. This annual black-tie fundraiser brings authors, literary enthusiasts, and philanthropists together to support the Toronto Public Library’s most pressing needs. This year, the funds raised will unlock opportunities for newcomers to Canada to support vital library services that assist individuals and families settling in our city.

The Pier & The Aria Suite: Cathay Pacific's Human-Centric Ethos Redefines The Flying Experience

Now that the pandemic is behind us, travel is at new heights of demand as families make up for lost time. Cathay Pacific is one of the most coveted carriers for long-haul travel to Asia, and for many of our readers, it is exciting to witness breakthroughs in the flying experience when they make a long trip home or to a place where their family is rooted, dotted with art and culture, and of course, increased comfort during the journey.

Samantha Tan: Racing to be Seen 宋心心：全速前進

When the green flag drops at the top of a race, Samantha Tan feels the adrenaline coursing through her veins. The 26-year-old motorsport professional knows the course like the back of her hand and at this point, any doubts she might have had about how to navigate it have vanished. Her focus becomes laser-sharp as she revs to the finish line.

Hello, West Coast! Fête Chinoise’s Inaugural Signature Event Hailed the Year of the Dragon in Exquisite Style

At our inaugural Vancouver edition, we welcomed the Year of the Dragon and the 9th edition of our Magazine in an unforgettable star-studded evening with almost 200 guests at Shangri-La Vancouver. We were delighted to support the Chinese Canadian Museum, who wheeled in their almost-100-year-old wooden dragon head for the red carpet, which guests were delighted to pose with.

Products — Designing Moments 從設計尋根

Curated from diverse origins, our collection features 8 handpicked products showcased within the pages of Fête Chinoise Design Annual 2023. These selections, including works by Guo Pei, Ferris Wheel Press x Shangri-La, and others, spotlight cultural significance through innovative design, embracing the essence of Chinese culture.

CCYAA Releases Latest Bruce Lee Collaboration with Toronto Raptors

The Canadian Chinese Youth Athletic Association (CCYAA) has partnered with Mitchell & Ness for the fourth consecutive year to unveil limited-edition apparel. This year’s release is the highly anticipated Bruce Lee x Toronto Raptors capsule collection, designed to celebrate the passion for the NBA within the North American Asian diaspora and pay tribute to Bruce Lee’s profound global impact on the community.

Phoenix Rising: Angel Wang Returns to Koerner Hall With World Premiere and Classical Favourites

On December 2, 2023, Koerner Hall will host a unique musical journey titled “Phoenix Rising”, curated by the talented violinist Angel Wang in collaboration with the Canadian Chinese Society for the Arts (CCSA). The thematic core of the concert, "Phoenix Rising," serves as a testament to Angel's profound belief in the phoenix spirit—a symbol of immortality, resilience, and rebirth. In an extensive interview with Fête Chinoise, Angel shared the intricate connections between her artistry, Chinese cultural roots, and the indomitable spirit embodied by the phoenix.

The Fortune Ball Shines with Strong Backing from the Chinese Community In Markham

In a night of celebration, tradition, and philanthropy, Markham Stouffville Hospital Foundation hosted The Fortune Ball on November 25, 2023, at the Hilton Toronto/Markham Suites. Welcoming over 700 guests, the event highlighted has gathered the Chinese community to support Oak Valley Health's Markham Stouffville Hospital (MSH).

Fashion — Designing Moments 從設計尋根

Fête Chinoise invited our publication’s lead fashion stylist Ashley Galang to curate some highlights around the world of designers who are exploring Chinese cultural elements in their work. As an Asian-Canadian herself, Ashley enjoys seeing more diversity in both the industry’s creators and the garments that grace the runways.

Crafting Cadillac Experience: The Art of Personalisation

Cadillac is a name synonymous with a century of automotive elegance, exquisite design, and luxury. After a successful collaboration with Cadillac for our Love at Mid-Autumn campaign, our editorial team had the pleasure of joining the Cadillac Brand Experience and being among the first to visit the innovative Cadillac House at Vanderbilt in Warren, Michigan, gaining insights into Cadillac’s commitment to elevating vehicle design and personalisation.

Haute Décor: de Gournay’s Hand-painted Wallpapers Are Couture For The Home 綻放牆上的浮華世界

If walls could talk, they might describe an idyllic Chinese landscape, animated by plumed birds, luscious flowers and undulating rice paddy grasses. Attention would also be lavished on the brilliance of the rich blue, green, red and gold colours as well as the intricacy of the hand-painted design, so exquisitely detailed as to seem life-like. But only those walls covered in panels of de Gournay wallpaper would possess the eloquence to do these scenes justice.

Embracing Culture and Community: 'Love at Mid-Autumn' Campaign Raises $60,000 to Support Children with Special Needs

With the backdrop of fall's golden hues, Fête Chinoise celebrated the success of its yearly ‘Love at Mid-Autumn’ campaign at Harry Rosen Yorkdale on October 12th. This heartfelt campaign, tied to the Mid-Autumn festival, was a smashing success. Each year, Fête Chinoise presents this campaign as a testament to its mission of moving culture forward and celebrating the rich tapestry of Chinese-Canadian culture, all while giving back to the community.