The Italian fashion designer died on 5 September at the age of 91. Giorgio Armani's first superyacht design only became a reality at the beginning of May. The 72-metre Admiral Armani 72m, known as Project Metamorphosis, was launched in the Italian Marina di Carrara. The yacht he designed is the result of a collaboration announced in 2023 between the Admiral shipyard, which belongs to the Italian Sea Group, and the Armani empire. It will be presented to the public for the first time at the Monaco Yacht Show at the end of September.
Armani sponsored the annual Giorgio Armani Superyacht Regatta off the coast of Sardinia, and also organised its own large format, the 65-metre-long "Maìn"whose crack is based on rather strict geometries. After dropping out of university, Armani worked as a window dresser in a fashion department stores', for which he later became a buyer. In 1978, he founded his own brand and from 1980 onwards dressed Hollywood stars for their films.
The enthusiastic yachtie Giorgio Armani
In 2003, the self-made man started yachting with 50 metres in the classic Codecasa metallic grey. He styled the "Mariù" interior himself and chose his mother's nickname. It would only make sense that a yacht for the fashion icon with a penchant for deep, dark blue would also shine in a similar colour. But the maestro opted for a green so dark that it looks like black. The 65 metre long "Maìn" was given its second maternal pet name five years later. Like Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana, Georgio Armani also placed his trust in the Viareggio shipyard a second time.
Great elegance in the Admiral Armani 72m
The lines of the Admiral Armani 72m strike a harmonious balance between geometric volumes and curved surfaces. The satin gold colouring of the hull is particularly striking and, in combination with the floor-to-ceiling windows, should create a fascinating play of light. The upper decks present themselves as "floating terraces" with an open-air lounge area and a helipad.
Inside, Armani/Casa favours a restrained and minimalist design. Fine materials such as black Marquinia marble, golden Calacatta and Canaletto walnut wood are complemented by mirrors, handmade lighting and selected fabrics.
Giorgio Armani himself emphasised the importance of the Admiral Armani 72m:
Design and the sea are two of my greatest passions. With this collaboration, I have extended my idea of furnishings and décor to the nautical world, where - as in fashion - aesthetics and functionality come together in a natural and elegant style."
