Unveiling: The first 236’ (72m) Admiral yacht designed by Giorgio Armani
Whatever celebrated fashion designer Giorgio Armani turns his creative hand to – from luxury watches to hotel interiors – the results are coveted the world over. So it’s little surprise that when news of a yacht collaboration between Armani and The Italian Sea Group surfaced last year, admirers were left eager to learn more.
The first model in the new sleek, technological 236’ (72m) line was sold by IYC sales broker Michel Chryssicopoulos in and was unveiled at a private event held at Admiral’s headquarters in Italy on Saturday, 11th February. Around 650 VIP guests, many of whom are superyacht owners, came from around the globe to witness Giorgio Armani inaugurate the yacht. The black-tie event was combined with an exclusive private viewing of the 2023 Spring Summer Armani collection, which explores the female form and themes of purity, reassurance and deconstruction.
Built under the Admiral brand, the 236’ (72m) superyacht is currently under construction at the Italian yard’s Marina di Carrara facilities and is scheduled for completion in early 2024. The full-custom project will bear all the design hallmarks of the Italian powerhouse, combined with the latest technological innovations, impressive performance and high-quality details and design typical of the Armani brand.
“Armani is synonymous with timeless elegance and sophistication and its stylistic vision will also increase our stylistic sensitivity,” Giovanni Costantino, CEO and founder of The Italian Sea Group, told Boat International. “[The yacht will] represent a uniqueness in the panorama of superyachts.”
The 236’ (72m) Admiral is Armani’s first official yacht collaboration, though the designer has form in the yachting sector. He oversaw the furnishing and design of his two personal yachts - the 163'9" (49.9m) Mariù (named after his mother) and the 213’ (65m) Maìn, both built by Codecasa in 2003 and 2008 respectively.
Armani’s yachts boast highly distinctive designs that are unique to his signature style. Mariù features wide teak floorboards, bleached oak paneling and open-plan saloons with minimalist staterooms, while Maìn enjoys an unusual dark green hull and an interior furnished with pieces from his Armani Casa collection. The crew of 14 also wear Armani, each uniform dictated by where the yacht is located, such as white Bermudas and long-sleeved shirts when in port, and shorts and short sleeves in a deep-sea green to match the boat’s livery while at sea.
Whether Armani will be designing uniforms for the crew of the new Admiral remains to be seen, however the second hull in the 236’ (72m) Admiral line, which was also sold by IYC, is already under construction and due for delivery in 2025.
“This agreement, of which I am extremely proud, is a further confirmation of our way of being able to realize unique projects with Made in Italy brands of excellence that share our values”, Costantino told Superyacht Digest. “Armani is synonymous with timeless elegance and sophistication and its stylistic vision will also increase our stylistic sensitivity. The new motor yacht, which combines technology and excellence in design with the distinctive features of Armani and its deep identity will give us great satisfaction.”