Luxury brand collaborations are amongst the most powerful avenues for creating truly special products that generate excitement and interest from press and consumers alike. The best of these collaborations enable two companies to produce something that is rare, unique and enhances their brand appeal by leaps & bounds! Luxury fashion brands that teamed up with the ultimate definer of lifestyle, ‘luxury yachts’ have created a masterful marketing buzz. Their aim is not to make money but to make envy. If limited editions feature in your shopping list, chances are you may want to explore these beautiful yachts now linked to your favourite fashion brand.
Some of the most prominent collaborations between luxury brands and the yachting industry constitute the perfect opportunity to expand a lifestyle brand’s universe and create the experience of ultimate luxury! Italy’s most renowned design houses Gucci and Riva teamed up their excellence in design and craftsmanship and gave birth to the ‘Aquariva by Gucci’. The iconic Riva boat has become without doubt one of the most evocative images of Italian style, sophistication and elegance. It is a symbol of a glamorous lifestyle that sparks fond memories of La Dolce Vita – a golden age when both Gucci and Riva attracted an enthusiastic following among the international jet set. Another unique collaboration was between Luxury goods giant LVMH and Princess Super Yachts. Together they unveiled their newest creation: the M Class Princess Super Yacht at the London International Boat Show earlier in 2011. LVMH acquired the UK-based yacht builder Princess Yachts back in 2008 and for the premiere of their first yacht of the series, the 32M, the company brought in some of its other brands such as Fendi, De Beers and Moet to demonstrated the glamour of the new range of Princess yachts.
Aquariva by Gucci
The Aquariva by Gucci, made-to-order yacht is an initiative to celebrate Gucci’s 90th anniversary year in 2011. This unique collaboration between two of Italy’s most renowned design houses celebrates the era of La Dolce Vita, when a joie de vivre, glamour and elegance defined an attitude and a lifestyle. In their respective sectors, Gucci and Riva have similar stories, each with a tradition of excellence in design and craftsmanship that has led to international notoriety. If creating your own personal, made-to-order yacht has long been your dream, Gucci has finally made that dream come true along with Riva.
Frida Giannini, Gucci Creative Director, said, “Over the decades the iconic Riva boat has become without doubt one of the most evocative images of Italian style, sophistication and elegance.It is a symbol of a glamorous lifestyle that sparks fond memories of La Dolce Vita – a golden age when both Gucci and Riva attracted an enthusiastic following among the international jet set. It is therefore especially meaningful in Gucci’s 90th anniversary year to be able to recognise and celebrate the great traditions and values of both Gucci and Riva through the Aquariva by Gucci.”
Riva, the iconic Italian boat-maker established in 1842 in Sarnico, is one of the oldest and most celebrated boat-yard in the world. Defining the Aquariva by Gucci is a fiberglass hull and detailing painted in Gucci’s own hue of glossy white, while Riva’s signature use of mahogany with classic varnish finish. The waterproof fabric covering the seats and sundeck features the emblematic
Guccissima print, while the bed upholstery is defined by the beauty of Gucci white cotton. The iconic touch is provided by Gucci’s green-red-green web detailing which edges the floating line, perfectly complementing the unique green crystal windshield. Completing the Gucci customization is a series
of exclusive Riva by Gucci accessories. The innovative two-speed electronic gear reveals all the power of the two 380-horsepower Yanmar engines, ensuring an exceptional performance, with a maximum speed of 41 knots and a 150-mile range at cruising speed. The Aquariva Gucci will have you sailing the high seas wrapped in the ultimate luxury only Gucci can provide, and the world-class performance that Riva is so famous for. This is one marriage made in heaven!
Aquariva Gucci received acknowledgement from the Nautical Design Awards panel of judges during a gala evening in Miami on 18th February’11 organised by Yacht & Sail and ADI (Associazione per il Disegno Industriale – Association for Industrial Design). Amongst these, Ferretti Group was acknowledged for its Aquariva Gucci project, awarded especially for the co-branding between the
nautical world and other luxury Italian brands. The panel of judges also highlighted how Aquariva Gucci is the utmost expression of Italian design. Riva is a brand of the Ferretti Group, one of the world leaders in the design, construction and sale of motoryachts with a unique portfolio of some
of the most exclusive, prestigious brands in the nautical world: Ferretti Yachts, Pershing, Itama, Bertram, Riva, Mochi Craft, CRN and Ferretti Custom Line.
For more information on the Riva brand in india, contact www.MarineSolutions.in
The M Class
Luxury goods giant LVMH, the international group of 50 luxury brands (including Moet & Chandon, Louis Vuitton, Fendi and De Beers) inked a deal to acquire control of Princess Yachts International, maker of the craft that graced the James Bond film “The World Is Not Enough,” in the latest step by a luxury conglomerate into the world of haute gamme boating. Founded in Plymouth, UK in 1965, Princess is a world leader in creating motor yachts of bold design and modernist comfort. Few Miami rap videos would be complete without an appearance of one of its “fly bridge” yachts, whose hulls are by the noted designer Bernard Olesinki.
The acquisition has borne first fruit in a 32-metre yacht; the M-Class Princess Yacht, with interior design by LVMH member Fendi. In January, the company literally rolled out the 32M, a 105′ beauty displayed indoors (!) at the London Boat Show. She’s the company’s largest yacht so far. Princess reported sealing deals for six 32Ms by the close of the show. Like all Princesses, the 32M is designed and built for going to sea, not sitting at the marina turning heads, but she’ll do that, too: The Company says she’s “engineered to the highest seagoing standards.”
The $11 million 32M, is a long range cruising yacht boasting a huge saloon among other amenities, available with a choice of four or five cabins, including a master suite with a split level bathroom, two or three double bedrooms and a twin room. Over 13m (42′) high, the 32M makes quite an impressive display. She is also one of the largest yachts to be built using resin-infusion technology,
which reduces weight and improves performance and cruising range. Princess installed a state-of- the-art “glass bridge” control and monitoring system aboard the 32M, one of the first aboard a yacht of this size. A unified package that is both ergonomic and intuitive to use, the system is usually found on much larger yachts and commercial vessels.
The owner’s suite is on the main deck, with large windows that provide excellent views on two sides. Forward, an owner’s head includes a spacious shower and separate whirlpool bath. As usual with a yacht of this size and caliber, each 32M owner has many opportunities to customize the yacht to meet his/her specific needs. The 32M’s salon features large windows on either side. Sliding doors lead out to a drop-down balcony to starboard, giving the entire main deck the “benefit of a spectacular open vista,” says Princess. More yachts, with brand-designed interiors and Louis Vuitton luggage, to follow in 2012. While they would call it “the LVMH lifestyle experience”, we say: “Playboy at the helm.”