Four questions for Stassi Anastassov, the new man at the helm of the Ferretti Group. There wasn’t time for more on the sidelines of the midsummer celebration in honour of the new Riva 54METRI. BOOTE EXCLUSIV wanted to know whether and how the Swiss-based businessman spends his time on the water himself, and what it is about the Riva brand that inspires him.
BOOTE EXCLUSIV: Do you also take the helm, or are you a sailor yourself?
Right, so your training session was a great success.
Yes, I know the world of sailing very well, but I wouldn’t personally describe myself as a sailor. I’ve always been close to the water and have always had a connection to the sea, lakes and boats. Water has always been a part of my life, and that of my children and my wife Maria.
But you don’t have a yacht yourself?
No. Here in Geneva, we have a large RIB. From Geneva, we can quickly cross over to France and so on. But Lake Geneva isn’t necessarily a lake for large yachts. But things can change. And they will change.
Let’s talk about Riva. Did you always think it was an interesting brand and that you’d work there one day? Or did the Ferretti Group approach you?
Yes, they approached me. For me, Riva is a sort of long-standing love affair, because Riva’s beauty has always been iconic and unchanged. I’m in love with brands. I’ve now reached the point where I design my own watches too. This, for example, is my own design (shows his sporty, nautical-style wristwatch).
That’s very nice.
I love design and brands. And I think Riva is one of the greatest success stories. If people could choose, they’d want the original Riva, ideally 50 or 60 metres long. What is it about this beautiful 54Metri To buy? It’s that image of a classic Riva, the Sophia Loren Riva. It’s all that beauty, history and design. I love brands that have managed to preserve and nurture their heritage over time, such as Hermès.
If the Riva 54METRI were your yacht down there, where on board would you spend the day? What would be your favourite spot?
I’d head to the dining table first. I believe that in my culture and that of my parents, social activities have always been – and still are – linked to a good dinner or lunch. So I’d make sure I had a lovely dining table where I could entertain my family and friends. And then, once you’ve created that sense of harmony, you naturally take the plunge.
Uske Berndt
Editor News & Panorama
