Welcome to the special “20th Anniversary” section of Top Yacht Design. Here, day by day, we present the best stories, yachts, and personalities we’ve covered over the past 20 years of Top Yacht Design, from 2006 to today.
Taken from Top Yacht Design no. 40/2024, pp. 66-75.
Silver Star I
The 55-metre Admiral, a timeless project that transcends market trends with all interiors signed by Giorgio Armani.
Giorgio Armani encompasses everything. Fashion, cinema, basketball (Olimpia Milano), Acqua di Giò perfume, the Silos exhibition space, and the place in Milan,the Armani Hotel. Today, Giorgio Armani adds yachting to his list by signing with Centro Stile Admiral the interiors of Silver Star I, the 55m by The Italian Sea Yacht group, headed by Giovanni Costantino. And this duo of Made in Italy excellence has produced an aesthetic that is pure Armani: an essential, refined design that showcases the passion for the sea of not just a fashion king, but of the owner of unforgettable yachts.
The sea and design are two great passions of mine. This partnership is an extension of my idea of furnishing to the nautical world, where, as in fashion, aesthetics and function go hand in hand within a natural and refined style. – Explains the designer – This stimulating project has allowed me to create custom environments, tailored, just like clothing items, with the same expert choice of materials and craftsmanship”. “It is not about being noticed, but being remembered” is King Giorgio’s motto, an a philosophy that matches that behind Admiral yachts and this three-deck aluminium yacht. “We imagined a new experience,” explains Gian Marco Campanino, Art Director of The Italian Sea Group, “combining elegance with a more modern design, defining a special welcoming atmosphere. The exteriors have an architectural feel with large, sharp volumes merging with softer ones. Fluidity, like waves, has a sinuous, curvilinear and soft flow. But sometimes the movement can become sharp, impetuous even”.
A Blue Planet concept reigns supreme throughout this unconventional yacht, clearly visible in the interior colour palette. “Our inspiration was the sea,” says Campanino, “and its reflections on the water. This shade of blue blends with the champagne light-gold that dominates the palette, creating a luminous atmosphere everywhere. The objective was to unify walls, floors and ceilings and offer a sense of continuity, of enveloping sophistication. Class, discretion and privacy describe the basic thought process that guided the design, creating a feeling of slow, whispered seduction”.
The dining area and large living room best express Armani’s creative aesthetic through a journey of formal research, precious materials and a unique sense of rarefaction. The design’s elegance is further emphasised by the inclusion of onyx, bluette rosewood marble, tamo wood (a Japanese maple tree with a cool tone) and hand-woven Venetian printed silk fabrics, all combined to create chic moments without falling into the traps of excess, a monochromatic style but with contrast. Every detail is meticulously curated, and the furnishings (leather desks, marble tables, mother-of-pearl coffee tables) are all Made in Italy, exclusively for Silver Star I. “We have kept the models in the Collection, to communicate the strong link with the Armani/Casa world, from before the later tweaks to comfort and style, using special finishes and purpose-created fabrics.
One example is the magnificent screen behind the owner’s bed depicting a Japanese landscape. Another reminder of the Land of the Rising Sun is the wooden side abat-jours, which give off a soft light similar to moonlight. The bathroom design is a true salle d’eau with pure lines in bluette rosewood marble. The guests’ lifestyle clearly dictated the design process. “As the protagonists on board,” explains Gian Marco Campanino, “we wanted them to feel at home, at ease. Initially, the upper deck helipad to bow was just a technical area. While defining the overall concept, however, we saw its true potential as a lounge as well, designed for aperitifs, yoga, exercise, an outdoor cinema, or just enjoying the stars.” Another key detail is the beach club, defined by high glazed side walls to protect against wind and water and a generous sunbathing platform. “Seeing how our owners experience these areas, the epicentre of life at sea by day, we created a vast space dedicated to sunbathing, dinghies, toys and even lunch. An oasis for fun or relaxation depending on the mood, that of the guests themselves or the weather,” concludes Gian Marco Campanino.
by Marta Gasparini
photo by Julien Hubert
