Maritimo appoints The Yacht Sales Co in key Asia markets
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The fast-growing dealership is representing the Australian luxury motor yacht manufacturer in Hong Kong and five Southeast Asian countries.
Tom Barry-Cotter (third left), Managing Director of Maritimo, and Mark Elkington (centre), CEO of Yacht Sales Co, and colleagues
The Yacht Sales Co has been appointed as Maritimo’s exclusive dealer in Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines and Indonesia. Headed by CEO Mark Elkington, The Yacht Sales Co has sales centres in Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific and in multiple locations across Southeast Asia including Phuket in Thailand and Sentosa in Singapore.
Elkington said: “We are extremely proud to represent this iconic Australian brand that was founded by industry legend Bill Barry-Cotter and now has his legacy being continued by Tom Barry-Cotter and his team. With our expansive sales network and absolute commitment to delivering outstanding client service, we are confident The Yacht Sales Co will be instrumental in Maritimo’s future success in Southeast Asia.
“Maritimo is a vanguard of Australian boat building and design, continually evolving their designs to produce high-quality, offshore luxury motor yachts, and we look forward to helping buyers in Southeast Asia discover the many attributes of this leading brand.”
The Yacht Sales Co has expanded its client service team with the appointment of Nicolich ‘Boby’ Noman as Southeast Asia Service Manager and Jim Poulsen as the region’s Maritimo Brand Manager.
Elkington said there was exciting potential for Maritimo’s growth in Southeast Asia, with strong demand for larger luxury motor yachts that have numerous engine options and deliver safe, outstanding blue-water performance.
“The Yacht Sales Co has a comprehensive strategy to develop this premier Australian brand in the region, and we look forward to helping new and existing clients discover what makes Maritimo so special,” he said.
“As part of this strategy, we are increasing our presence in Southeast Asia, opening larger new sales centres in Sentosa, Singapore, and Ocean Marina Jomtien in Thailand. We’ll also be opening a new sales facility in Hong Kong later this year, resulting in seven sales centres in the region dedicated to helping clients realise their boating dreams and providing a new standard in after-sales service.”
Maritimo offers luxury motor yachts in three ranges: the M-Series Flybridge, the S-Series Sedan and the new Offshore Series. Tom Barry-Cotter, Managing Director of Maritimo, said the new partnership was a wonderful way to launch the brand’s 20th-anniversary celebrations.
“We are excited to know that Maritimo owners will have a consistent experience with The Yacht Sales Co across the region,” he said. “No matter whether they live in Hong Kong or Singapore and then keep their Maritimo in Thailand, The Yacht Sales Co is the right choice as they have a huge database of clientele to view our range of unique, handcrafted, long-range motor yachts.”
The Yacht Sales Co well established in the region, having enjoyed a long-standing presence with sister company, Multihull Solutions, which represents Fountaine Pajot sail and motor yachts, Dufour Yachts, Cora Cat, Absolute Yachts, NEEL and LEEN Trimarans and Tesoro Yachts.
Johanna Monange, Founder of Maison 21G Shares Her Business Philosophy
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“My mission: become the n°1 tailored perfumery brand globally and empower everyone to create their own perfume”
By Joseph Low
What led you to create Maison 21G and tell us more about the innovative concept of bespoke perfumes?
Evocative, distinctive, and memorable, I deeply believe that the fifth sense inspires profound emotions and connections with others. Your signature perfume is so much more than a mere accessory; it is a true extension of your personality, a tool to imprint memories, and bring confidence throughout key moments of your life. As such, I believe that your scent should be as unique as you are!
In 2020, I conceptualised Maison 21G, supported by my passion and 25 years of experience in perfumery as a creative director working alongside renowned designers and perfumers. Throughout this time, I watched this beautiful industry lose its soul and settle for one-size-fits-all scents, creating the same everyday floral, fruity, and gourmand scents for everybody, while pushing huge marketing campaigns at the expense of quality, distinction, and character of what is inside the bottle. I felt that something was going wrong in this beautiful industry, so I decided to break free from the glamorous corporate world and shake the conventions of this sleeping industry.
My vision was to bring back the “power of creation” into the hands of consumers, offering a unique and engaging scent discovery experience. Committed to a cleaner perfume industry, I was driven by a desire to bring transparency, sharing, education, and sustainability to make a better perfumery world for the next generation. My ultimate mission was to recreate a real “Maison de creation” for all of us, creating a unique experience with beautiful scent encounters.
The concept of “experience” is key for opening and running a boutique. What is a successful “experience” for your customers?
Maison 21G is a luxury Maison of Creation with modern iconic flagship stores worldwide, using a poly-sensorial approach to create a unique retail experience. We aim to create a luxury experience in perfumery like no other for our customers. We inspire confidence, self-expression, and exploration in perfumery, with a poly-sensorial approach. With 10 flagship stores across the world, every corner of our boutiques is meticulously curated with a series of dedicated zones such as our famous innovative scent bar to discover and choose your ingredients, the perfumer organ where consumers blend their own scent, and our private atelier’s areas to learn the art of creation.
We also continually seek new technology to enhance our experiential retail offerings. For instance in line with our commitment to innovation, we offer a unique AI personality quiz. Our open app collect information such as your skin tone, your scent preference, your values in life, and your desired benefits to recommend well-matched scents for each individual. Our RFID Technology informs and educates shoppers on the origins, the olfactive profile and properties of our scents.
After creating their custom scent, customers can add a personal touch by using our complimentary UV Printing Machine to customise their perfume bottle design. In addition, we provide perfume workshops for couples, team building events where our scent experts guide clients in creating a personalised fragrance in one hour by appointment.
Our experiential retail space encourages cross-cultural exchanges. And customers come together to share ideas and cultures, pushing the envelope of creativity. Maison 21G is committed to disrupting the luxury industry by creating a community of fragrance designers, connoisseurs, aficionados, or novices in every major city in the world, driven by a unique offline retail experience, relayed by a strong digital presence to complete the offline experience with a dedicated loyalty program, and automatic reorder services for your personalised scent from anywhere in the world.
The personalisation of scent is at the core of Maison 21G’s concept? What are the parameters that go into determining a bespoke fragrance?
Maison 21G is a brand that prides itself on its commitment to craftsmanship, personalisation, education, and experience. At the heart of our business model is the desire to create bespoke fragrances that are tailored to the unique personality and olfactory preferences of each of our customers. Our flagship stores serve as laboratories, where highly-skilled scent designers guide customers in their scent creation, ensuring that their personalities and preferences are considered at every step of the process. We believe that a perfume is much more than just an accessory. It is personal, intimate, and becomes your voice to express your unique identity. This is why we offer our customers direct access to perfume concentrates with the highest percentage of fragrance concentration to make tailor-made haute perfumery accessible.
The process of creating a bespoke fragrance at Maison 21G is interactive, engaging and fun: we begin by asking customers to fill out our personality quiz, which focuses on their values in life, personal DNA (nationality, skin colour, age), likes and dislikes related to their olfactive preferences, and the reasons they want to wear a particular perfume (to be seductive, elegant, outstanding, relaxing, etc.). This builds a customer scent profile that is unique to their identity. We have defined five unique personality profiles, each with its own distinctive ingredient recommendations. For example, an “Impressive personality profile” will need a perfume that projects strongly, with long-lasting sillage, and features bold woody, oriental, and spicy notes. A “Social Enthusiast Profile” on the other hand, will be more drawn to softer, comforting, and caring notes such as musk, vanilla, and light juicy fruits.
With the use of cutting-edge technology, leveraging AI alongside more traditional skills, we are revolutionising the perfume industry by understanding the needs and tastes of each nationality, culture, and generation. The more customers we get, the more powerful our AI becomes, and the more precise the recommendations reveal themselves to be. As a bottom-to-top approach, we’re able to learn instantly from our customer base and answer immediately to new consumers trends in each capital like Seoul, Shanghai, Paris, and elsewhere. It’s a game-changing approach for the perfume industry, and the more we grow, the more knowledgeable and concise we are able to become in tailoring scents to individuals.
Workshops are at the very core of the Maison 21G DNA. What is your favourite memory of a Maison 21G workshop you organised in 2022?
We believe in the power of scent to bring people together, and our workshops are designed to offer an unforgettable and unique sensory experience. It’s a fun and exploratory experience, where people can reconnect, share, and learn about each other through scent.
One of my favourite memories is from a Love Atelier that we organised in 2022. During this workshop, the couple had the opportunity to take their love to the next level! A young man surprised his girlfriend with a marriage proposal. He had asked the scent designer to print “Marry Me” on the bottle that he had created for her. As he presented her with the bottle, he got down on one knee and revealed a ring hidden inside the box. The entire room was moved to tears by this romantic gesture. In that moment, I was reminded of the power of scent to create deep and meaningful connections, and I was grateful to be a part of such a special moment in their lives.
Tell us more about the sustainability efforts behind all the packaging and glass bottles used at Maison 21G? You seem to be amongst the very first luxury houses talking openly about recycling and the reuse of perfume bottles.
At Maison 21G, our sustainable pillar is integrated into everything we do. Our focus on eco-consciousness, ethical and clean production and distribution, is part of our commitment to excellence, quality, and luxury. In an industry where the use of buzzwords and marketing jargon to ‘greenwash’ products is rampant, we strive to be transparent, honest, and open about our sustainability practices.
To achieve our sustainable goals, we have partnered with IFF-LMR (Laboratoire Monique Rémy) to source the highest quality of perfumes. IFF’s vertical integration allows us to control every step of our ingredients supply chain, and its adherence to specific sustainable and clean criteria, including environmental responsibility, fair working conditions, and positive relations with local communities.
At Maison 21G, we pride ourselves on being transparent and open about what we include in our bottles and what we don’t. Our scents are 100 per cent vegan, cruelty-free, CMR-free, paraben-free, phthalate-free, and preservative-free. We also formulate our scents as biodegradable to reduce our environmental impact.
We believe in creating products that are recyclable and refillable. We have banned the use of plastic in any of our products. We are the first company to have refillable bottles, encouraging shoppers to reuse their bottles, with discounts and incentives for those who reuse, recycle, and reduce their waste. By committing to eco-consciousness, ethical production, clean sourcing, Maison 21G is taking steps towards a greener future for all.
You have expanded your product range and Maison 21G now offers within its boutiques perfumed candles, the very start of an elaborate home scent collection. How is it performing?
The pandemic brought unprecedented changes in our lifestyles, with people spending more time at home than ever before. At Maison 21G, we recognised that consumers were looking for ways to make their home environment more comfortable, inviting, and reflective of their personalities. This inspired us to launch our sustainable, natural, and customisable Home Scents range, and we’re delighted with how it has been embraced.
Our Home Scents range was launched with the same bold and disruptive approach that characterises our perfume range, and is underpinned by a commitment to wellness, including all-natural ingredients that can help customers relax, focus, and sleep more effectively. We believe that people deserve to unlock the scent of their soul, and our Home Scents range is designed to make that process easy, enjoyable, and eco-conscious.
The collection includes our beautiful 100 per cent natural wax Dual Candles, Bespoke biodegradable Reed Diffuser, and natural Oil burner which allow customers to choose and combine their favourite scents in stylish and luxurious decorative objects, a premiere in the Home Scent world. As with our personalised perfumes, we put the customer at the heart of the creation process and set it apart from all of our competitors.
We believe that the knowledge to create a beautiful, healthy Home Scent for the whole family, should be accessible to everyone. E-commerce is rising fast across all continents. We see your team working hard on increasing the global digital presence of Maison 21G. How are online sales performing for you?
Maison 21G’s experiential online e-commerce completes the offline experience with a dedicated loyalty programme and automatic reorder services for personalised scents from anywhere in the world. We offer bespoke creative experiences to anyone, anywhere, with our DIY creative set, which we can send to any location across the globe. Our fully customised website allows a unique and playful creative experience at home.
Our lead magnet, the AI-Powered Quiz, guides consumers in creating the perfect scent combinations online based on their personality, culture, age, and different desires for a perfume, such as freshness, elegance, and seduction. The dual-scented crayon allows people to try mini scents before purchasing a full bottle. Today our perfume fans online who cannot access to our shops have grown significantly. A lot of people are tired of off-the-shelf scents and have leapt at the chance to craft their own scents from sustainable and high-quality ingredients on our bespoke website. Our brand promise of natural, clean, and ethically sourced essences has resonated strongly. Our core customer base consists of Millennials and Gen Z consumers from Asia, US, Canada, Australia, and Europe, seeking personalised products with an experiential edge online. Through various activations with online campaigns, direct marketing, and a dedicated, inclusive, engaged, and active community of scent designers, we have built a loyal customer base that shares our passion for creativity, quality, and sustainability.
Tell us about your latest expansion in the Middle East with the opening of a boutique in Dubai and a long term partnership with the Chalhoub group. This all sounds very promising!
We’ve been thrilled with the responses from the Middle East consumers since we launched Maison 21G. Fragrance is purely ingrained into their culture, and it is amazing for me to express the DNA of my brand there. I am personally passionate about the Middle East market, and we have exciting plans for the region with the support of the prestigious and professional Chalhoub Group.
In Dubai, I’m always inspired by the diversity of cultures and the natural creative instincts of the people I meet. They are so trendy and take amazing care of their image and scent identity. Dubai has no boundaries, and I love the grandiose and multisensory experiences found at every corner of this buzzing international capital. We’re looking to expand our presence in Dubai but also Abu Dhabi, with a focus on opening more stores in key selective top locations like Bloomingdales, Tyrano, Malls of the Emirates, and beyond.
In Qatar, we’ve just opened a beautiful flagship store in the brand new luxurious mall of Vendome, next to all the most luxurious brands. We’re now expanding and have established partnerships with prestigious stores such as Printemps, Galerie Lafayette, and Harvey Nichols, with a creative scent bar concept. We’ve been overwhelmed by the kindness and passion of the people for our beautiful ingredients and experiential concepts.
My biggest challenge now is to conquer Saudi Arabia, with the opening of our flagship store in Nakheel mall. We know it’s a demanding market in terms of quality and service, with a large base of perfume connoisseurs and aficionados. However, we’re confident that we have everything at Maison 21G to make an impact there. I’m personally involved in every aspect of the store opening, and we’re committed to providing the highest quality products and services to our customers in Saudi Arabia and across the Middle East.
Perfume is an inseparable part of Middle Eastern culture. What attitude towards perfume have you noticed amongst Middle Eastern consumers?
The Middle East is revered to a high degree and perfumery rooting in historical practices. For instance, the Persians were the first to use distillation in extracting oils from flowers to create beautiful essences that only Middle Eastern people have the culture to appreciate. Who would’ve known that decades, centuries later, perfume application still remains an essential ritual in their daily lives.
Renowned for the most fragrant of traditions — smouldering incense, burning bakhoor, using ritualistic essential oils, and fragrant teas — it is no wonder why the language of scent creation applies on many levels in their culture. From a spiritual way to anoint oneself before prayer to epitomising a personal fingerprint, deep memories of their life, a statement of themselves; perfume is a powerful tool in characterising one’s individuality here.
With surely the strongest olfactive preferences globally, the residents of the Middle East seek a bold, unique scent and definitely above-average longevity. Moreover, their traditional approach includes layering multiple opposing scents. Most prevalently, they use spices, earthy patchouli, deep resins and amber, sensual oud, floral rose Taif, all to create the most elaborate, exclusive, and astounding compositions unique to themselves, which they can find at Maison 21G. Our concept of creating your own perfume is perfectly adapted to Middle Eastern consumers who have been layering and mixing scents for decades. They appreciate the art of perfume making and have a deep understanding of the complexities of creating a unique scent that reflects their personality and style.
After opening boutiques in Vietnam and South Korea, what is your next important projects and developments across 2023 & 2024?
South Korea is a key market for Maison 21G in Asia and success in this country can have a significant impact on our brand’s reputation and expansion in Asia. Because South Korea is known for being a trending market for luxury brands, achieving success there can set the tone for the rest of Asia, including countries such as China, Thailand, and Vietnam. Consumers in these countries may be more likely to pay attention to a brand that has already proven itself in the competitive South Korean market.
Next for me is to continue expanding my brand selectively in Asia with experiential retail, sustainability, and education. I am committed to opening more flagship stores, shop in shop in luxury department stores, counters in duty free spaces, to bring our unique experience to every major capital.
My next biggest challenge for 2023-24 will be China where we have a very ambitious plan with Eternal group. We’ve already opened a beautiful store in Hainan with Lagardere and will soon be opening flagship stores in Shanghai and Shenzhen, as well as partnering with trendy distributors who understand and can express our brand DNA. To reach trendy Gen Z and Millennials, we’ll also focus on digital platforms like Tmall, Weibo, Little Red Book, and WeChat, translating our AI quiz and promoting our hero products in Chinese.
In China, consumers have a relatively short history with perfumery and are eager to learn about the ingredients, discover their preferences, and develop their own scent style. They’re also interested in learning about perfumery tips and tricks, including what scents to wear for different occasions and the differences between high- and low-quality perfumes. The trend towards niche perfumery in China reflects a desire among consumers to express their identity and individuality through fragrance, as well as a growing appreciation for high-quality, artisanal products. This trend is partly driven by a desire to stand out and be different from the crowd, with unique fragrances that cannot be found in mass prestige perfumes. Chinese consumers are also increasingly interested in unconventional scents with characters that allow them to express their edgy style.
To adapt to these different expectations, Maison 21G will tailor our marketing approach and services to Chinese consumers. This is the strength of our personalised approach, which is not only tailored to the individual but also to the culture and context. We put high effort into localising our approach, considering the cultural and historical context of perfumery in each market and how this influences consumer preferences and behaviour to succeed worldwide. The era of “one-size-fits-all” perfume and super-centralised marketing is definitely over, and I am excited to be at the forefront of this new approach to the industry.
Where do you see Maison 21G in five years down the road? Any IPO planned ahead?
Become the number one tailored perfumery brand globally.
The brand aims to challenge ready-made products and establish a new segment in the fragrance industry: the Tailored Perfumery segment — after the surprise of Niche Perfumery. We intend to have iconic Houses of Creation in key fragrance capitals worldwide to install this new segment via the brand’s strong credentials in design, innovation, and sourcing new natural ingredients for our scent designer community.
We continuously improve our service and training of Maison 21G scent designers, possibly building an academy of perfumery to share knowledge and expertise. We have projects in Web3 to tokenise our unique perfume creation recipes, which will prevent copying and grant ownership to our loyal customers, preserving their creativity at Maison 21G.
We also plan to partner with other industries such as art, culinary, music, hotels, and mixology to create polysensorial events.
To support the vision and mission, Maison 21G will continue to raise smart money with bigger investors to challenge the traditional perfume industry, gain sustainable market share and become the most desirable perfume brand.
We want to keep the authenticity of what they do as long as possible, supported by active funds and financial partners who understand the importance of disruption, branding construction and innovation to meet the new consumers’ needs in perfumery.
How did you react to the purchase of Tom Ford by the Estee Lauder Group in November 2022 for a hefty US$2.8 Billion price tag (including debt)?
This acquisition of Tom Ford is a strategic move that strengthens Estee Lauder’s high-end luxury beauty portfolio. Tom Ford has established itself as a leading brand in the fragrance and cosmetics market over the course of several decades and has a significant presence in important growth markets such as the Asia-Pacific region and travel retail. Their success in disrupting the perfume industry years ago is noteworthy. This acquisition is a testament to the value of building a strong brand image with innovative products, reaching untapped consumers, and being led by a bold, strong founder.
Maison 21G aims to follow in Tom Ford’s footsteps by creating a luxury creative brand image with innovative products and services that can reach untapped consumers. We strive to be a challenger in the high-end luxury segment of the perfumery industry, focusing on personalisation, sustainability, and an experiential approach to create your own scents. Our commitment to creativity sets us apart from competitors, and we are constantly pushing the boundaries with new technology and machine learning to better understand the needs and tastes of our customers. We are bold and unafraid to disrupt the perfume industry, bringing transparency and openness into an industry sorely lacking in disruption.
What are the commanding valuation ratios in the beauty and perfume industry?
Valuation ratios in the beauty and perfume industry are determined by a number of factors, including a company’s size, growth potential, profitability, barrier of entry, technology, strong USP and brand image. When a company has a strong brand image and a disruptive approach, it tends to have higher valuation ratios. In the beauty industry, it is not uncommon for larger companies to pay up to 10-12 times a company’s revenue if they see potential for growth and expansion.
So for small beauty companies, the key to achieving high valuation ratios is to challenge the traditional business model and create a strong, disruptive value proposal with high barrier of entry and agility, that larger companies cannot easily replicate with their established structures. It is indeed difficult for larger companies to innovate as they need to balance risk and often have heavy structures to navigate.
This creates significant potential for acquisition and development with big groups, as they seek out innovative and disruptive companies to enhance their portfolios and gain market share.
In the perfume industry, by disrupting the industry with new and innovative ideas, small companies have a huge potential for acquisition and development with big groups and potentially command high valuation ratios in the process.
Following multiple sales into Hong Kong, the Princess flagship was shown in the city for the first time, with Aberdeen Marina Club hosting the four-day event.
By Nicholas Kunz.
Over 300 visitors toured a newly arrived Princess X95 at Aberdeen Marina Club from February 23-26, with the four-day event marking the Hong Kong premiere of the British builder’s flagship.
The high-volume X95 had a post-Covid online premiere in mid-2020 and has achieved impressive global sales including four to Hong Kong before the arrival of the latest hull, which was available for immediate delivery upon arrival.
Adam Waters, General Manager of Princess Yachts Greater China, said: “It has been an exciting Hong Kong premiere and we’ve had a lot of people look at the boat. The reason we’re only showing the X95 now is that the customers who purchased the first four yachts were so eager to get them that they didn’t let anyone see them. They wanted to be using them.”
According to Waters, one of the key features on the X95 that appeals to Hong Kong customers is its unique super flybridge – or ‘superfly’ – which is far longer than a standard flybridge on a yacht this size and features an enclosed sky lounge. It can also be personalised according to multiple deck layouts and options, and the owner’s preferences.
“It’s a 95ft boat and you have over 70ft of flybridge. You just don’t see that on any other boat in the market. We have clients who convert this space into either a karaoke room, dining area, card table, Mah-jong room or tea room. You can do so many different things.”
The newest X95 in Hong Kong also features the optional ‘transformer-style’ aft platform, which doubles as a tender lift, as well as an air-conditioned, indoor beach club facing the water.
The X95 has already proved a great success story in Hong Kong and after the excitement surrounding the Hong Kong premiere, Princess Yachts Greater China says there are many reasons X95 has proved a great match for the local market.
“The X95 has been popular in Hong Kong and for our local customers because of the amount of external and internal space. Princess is also known for building a very high-quality, well-built and well-constructed modern interior,” Waters said.“
The X95 is also an easy boat to manage. Being 95ft, the crew can handle it easily. It’s easy to register and licence, making it very well suited for Hong Kong.” www.princessyachts.com
Gulf Craft staging superyacht premiere at Dubai show
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The Middle East’s leading yacht builder is staging a world premiere among five Majesty models at the Dubai International Boat Show.
Gulf Craft’s main facility is in Umm Al Quwain
The world premiere of the Majesty 111 is one of five Majesty models in Gulf Craft’s large display at this year’s Dubai International Boat Show at Dubai Harbour from March 1-5.
With its main factory in Umm Al Quwain, Gulf Craft has exhibited at every edition of the show and this year its line-up at Stand MD-35 ranges from 32-120ft and includes the Majesty 120, Majesty 100, Majesty 72 and Majesty 62, plus the Nomad 70.
Gulf Craft builds Majesty, Nomad, Oryx and Silvercraft ranges
Mohamed Alshaali, co-founder and Chairman of Gulf Craft, said: “As the leading yacht manufacturer in the region, we are proud to be part of the Dubai International Boat Show. We are grateful to the team yet again bringing to life this event celebrating the UAE’s vibrant yachting sector while paying tribute to our country’s rich maritime heritage.
“As in previous years, we will leverage the show to showcase our industry-leading yachts. This year we debut the Majesty 111, our superyacht anchored in our company’s proud legacy while guided by our vision of the future that prioritises nature-inspired aesthetics built around sustainability.”
CGI of Majesty 111 exterior by Phathom Studio
The Majesty 111 design concept was revealed at last year’s Dubai show and follows on from the success of the Majesty 100, Majesty 120, Majesty 140 and flagship Majesty 175.
The exterior and interior styling of the Majesty 111 is a joint effort between Gulf Craft and Phathom Studio, with the UAE builder working with the Dutch studio for the first time to create a new style.
CGI of Majesty 111 upper deck
The shipyard estimates that the Majesty 111 uses nearly 40 per cent glazing than a sub-100ft yacht, creating a light, airy atmosphere in the interiors, which includes six guest cabins including a master suite forward on the main deck.
The main deck includes an open saloon and forward dining area, with an internal staircase to the flybridge, which includes an open aft deck, skylounge and plunge pool forward. The superyacht has storage for a 4m-plus tender, a jetski on the swim platform and other water toys.
CGI of Majesty 111 saloon
Innovative energy-saving systems include an optional heat-recovery system, which extracts heat from chillers and generators to deliver full climate control and fresh hot water without consuming electricity. www.gulfcraftinc.com
Dubai International Boat Show attracts leading yacht builders
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Azimut, Ferretti Group, Sanlorenzo, Gulf Craft, Princess, Sunseeker and Sunreef return, while Abeking & Rasmussen, Tecnomar, Sirena and Greenline are among new exhibitors.
Dubai Harbour is hosting the show for a second year
The 29th Dubai International Boat Show from March 1-5 is set to feature over 175 yachts, boats and watercraft – including 50 global and regional launches – and more than 1,000 brands, according to event organiser Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC).
Italian builders Azimut, Ferretti Group and Sanlorenzo, UAE’s Gulf Craft, British builders Princess and Sunseeker, and Poland’s Sunreef are among leading yacht builders confirmed for the event. Over 30,000 visitors are expected over the five days, as the Middle East’s biggest boat show is held for the second time at Dubai Harbour.
Gulf Craft is staging the world premiere of its Majesty 111 in a large line-up including the Majesty 120, Majesty 100, Majesty 72, Majesty 62, Nomad 70, Oryx 379 and Silvercraft 32 WA.
Gulf Craft’s large display includes a Majesty 120 (pictured) and the Majesty 111 premiere
Mohammed Alshaali, co-founder and Chairman of Gulf Craft, said: “At Gulf Craft, we’ve always been a staunch supporter of our ‘home show’ since its inception. As an international manufacturer of cutting-edge yachts and boats, we are proud to be part of such a prestigious event on our home ground.
“At this year’s Dubai International Boat Show, we’re thrilled to introduce our brand-new Majesty 111 superyacht, which will redefine industry standards and set the precedent for our future Majesty models. We’re committed to continue our contribution to the region’s yachting industry and look forward to further supporting the UAE’s reputation as an exceptional global yachting destination.”
Azimut’s four yachts include the 94ft S10 sportfly
Azimut is set to display its Fly 53, Fly 68, S10 (94ft) and Grande 27M (88ft), while the Ferretti Group line-up could include the Middle East premieres of the Riva 88’ Folgore, Ferretti Yachts 780 and Pershing 5X (54ft), along with a Pershing 8X (84ft) and Ferretti Yachts 670. Sanlorenzo will show its SX88 and possibly the new SP110 that debuted at last year’s Cannes Yachting Festival.
Princess Yachts Gulf will exhibit the British builder’s flagship Princess X95 in a six-yacht display including the V60 F55 F50 F45 and new V50 (deck) that debuted last year. Sunseeker vessels on show include a 74 Sport Yacht XPS, with the British builder represented by Sunseeker Gulf led by John Bush and Brett Noble.
Princess is showing its flagship X95 among six yachts
As announced previously, Sunreef Yachts will exhibit the first Sunreef 80 Eco and a 60 Sunreef Power (click for article). Among other solar-electric catamaran builders, Silent-Yachts will have a booth, while Alva Yachts is represented by local dealer MBC Yachts. A Jeanneau Merry Fisher 895 will be on show through dealer JJ Marine.
Damen Yachting will have a booth on the Superyacht Avenue where the Dutch superyacht builder will showcase detailed scale models and promote its series of yachts including the Espen Øino-designed Amels 60 and Amels 80 Limited Editions, SeaXplorer 60 and Yacht Support 53.
Ferretti Group’s five yachts include the Riva 88’ Folgore’s regional debut
Jorrit Pilaar, Damen Yachting’s Sales Manager, said: “We are thrilled to be returning to the Dubai International Boat Show again. The event gives us a chance to catch up with many friends and to make new acquaintances from throughout the world of yachting. We look forward to sharing our designs with visitors and talking with them about our exciting plans.”
Organisers confirmed over 10 new exhibitors including Abeking & Rasmussen (Germany), Tecnomar (Italy), Nordhavn (USA), Sirena Yachts (Turkey), Greenline Yachts (Slovenia), SAY Carbon Yachts (Germany), Finnmaster (Finland) and Boutique Yachts, a yachting services provider.
Sunseeker is showing a 74 Sport Yacht XPS
DWTC states that over 12 per cent of the world’s superyachts lie in the MENA region and that Dubai is one of the world’s top-10 nautical hubs within the marine industry, home to world-class waterfront property developments and many first-class marinas.
Riju George, DWTC’s Group Director, Exhibitions, said: “We’re looking forward to welcoming marine enthusiasts, maritime investors and those interested in all things ocean related to DIBS23.Dubai has a rich maritime heritage and over the years has created an extensive ecosystem and a sophisticated hub to nurture some of the greatest boat designers and manufacturers in the world. This is why every year we see an influx of international visitors to the show.”
Sunreef’s two catamarans include the first 80 Eco
The show is preceded by the Middle East Yachting Conference (MEYC) on February 28. Speakers include Francis Lapp (Sunreef Yachts), Farouk Nefzi (Feadship), Paris Baloumis (Oceanco) and Thomas Weigend, Managing Director of Meyer Werft, which is building the 289m (948ft) Njord, described as “the world’s largest private residence yacht” with 117 private apartments.
Over 30,000 visitors are expected over the five days
The Leisure Marine Authority will be at the show for a series of informal coffee talks on budget boat owning, safe and sustainable use of water crafts, and more. Show attractions include the Dive Pool Shows, kayak and paddleboarding, fishing competitions, watersport demos, cocktails at Nikki Beach and dining at Buddha Bar. www.boatshowdubai.com www.boatshowdubai.com/ticket
UAE market at its ‘highest peak’, says Sunseeker Gulf
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John Bush of Sunseeker Gulf answers questions about the luxury yacht market in the Gulf, where Dubai is the centre of marine activity.
Brett Noble and John Bush of Sunseeker Gulf
Headed by John Bush and Brett Noble, who founded Bush & Noble in Dubai in 2012, Sunseeker Gulf represents Sunseeker International in the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Bahrain.
John, in your experience, what have been the highs and lows of the luxury yacht market in the Gulf?
In the 15 years I’ve been in the UAE, I would say we’re currently in the ‘highest peak’, not only in terms of boat sales but also the size of boats and the number of superyachts and megayachts visiting the region.
The lowest point was around 2009/2010 when the region was hit by the global economic crisis. During that time, there were hardly any boat sales, and many people left the region, so we had a gap of about four or five years with no notable new boat sales in the region.
Three years into the Covid era, what is the Gulf market like now and how do you believe it will develop in the coming years?
Covid turned out to be quite a revelation for the UAE, particularly Dubai. The government acted fast in terms of locking down and very quickly rolled out the vaccine programme open to everyone, which resulted in a fast economic recovery.
A Sunseeker 74 Sport Yacht XPS will exhibit at the Dubai International Boat Show (March 1-5)
The subsequent couple of years led to a huge influx of wealthy expats who have taken advantage of the lifestyle here, which has in turn boosted the leisure marine and superyacht sector.
What are the most popular types of yachts in the Gulf?
Flybridge yachts are the most popular. In that sector, the 20m size range is the most sought-after. The locals also enjoy fast, centre-console fishing boats between 10-15m. The superyacht sector is split 50/50 between local builds, mainly Gulf Craft, and European brands such as Sunseeker, Princess and Azimut.
Which are the leading Gulf markets and which of the other countries do you think will grow significantly as markets in the coming years?
Dubai (UAE) is by far the largest yachting market and has the most capacity for immediate growth because of the new marinas built recently. Kuwait has a very large marine sector, but has a lack of available berths, so growth is restricted there.
Over the next 10 to 20 years, Saudi Arabia could potentially be the largest and fastest-growing market. The relaxation in the country’s laws to encourage expats to visit and live in the area, and the new cities building there will help grow the markets.
Founded in 1973 and part of the AkzoNobel family, the world-renowned Awlgrip® brand is celebrating its 50th anniversary with activities throughout the year.
AkzoNobel is marking the 50th anniversary of its world-renowned Awlgrip® brand with activities throughout the year to celebrate how it has become synonymous for unrivalled quality and performance with an amazing high-gloss finish among professionals and boat owners worldwide.
Awlgrip originated out of an Aerospace coating, Alumigrip, in 1973. The evolution of Awlgrip has been defined by a restless spirit of innovation to meet the changing boat-building technologies, repair and application processes, being ahead of regulatory changes, and to deliver an extensive colour palette that meet consumer demand and expectations.
Jemma Lampkin, Global Commercial Director at AkzoNobel Yacht Coatings, concludes: “Trusted for over five decades, Awlgrip can rightfully lay claim to being the world’s leading professional yacht paint. To reach this milestone is a real testament to the dedication, professionalism and passion of all applicators and boatyards who have devotedly applied Awlgrip products on boats of all sizes and helped shape the brand over the last 50 years.
“As a result, we wanted to take a moment to highlight these achievements and pay tribute to all those who have made and continue to make Awlgrip what it is today and tomorrow. We are excited to showcase all the passion that Awlgrip applicators, boatyards, and owners share when they look at the boat with that amazing finish that Awlgrip continues to deliver.”
Awlgrip HDT
A dedicated webpage on Awlgrip.com (click here)charts the history of the brand and unearths the fascinating hidden stories behind its evolution. One story reveals that the product was initially conceived to be spelled ‘Allgrip’, but a transcribing accident saw it referred to as Awlgrip, with the name sticking.
Over the five decades since its inception, the Awlgrip range has expanded to encompass finishes, primers, fillers and varnishes, becoming a world-class brand that can be found in almost every port and country around the globe. Its market presence is reinforced by industry-leading sales and technical teams that educate and support applicators, builders and boaters the world over.
Its superlative finish, against which all other yacht coatings are measured, has seen it earn the truly unique accolade of becoming a verb with proud customers referring to having their boats “Awlgripped”.
Activity around the celebrations will include amplification of technical and customer support across our social media and digital channels, with promotional activity at key fall boat shows such as Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show in Australia, Monaco Yacht Show, METSTRADE in the Netherlands and Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show in the US.
It will also highlight the years of innovation that have delivered game-changing products, including the industry-leading finish Awlgrip Topcoat, Awlwood, Awlfair Spray Filler, Awlgrip HDT and the new Awlcraft 3000 topcoat, alongside testimonials from leading industry figures.
Awlgrip’s historic Fighting Lady Yellow
These include Tim Oenbrink, General Manager of Merritt Supply, who tells the story of selling the first can of Awlgrip topcoat with a custom yellow colour for the sport fish boat FightingLady, and how Merritt Supply and Awlgrip work together to provide premium products and support to applicators.
“AkzoNobel’s YPAC training centre has been and continues to be of real benefit to us as a business,” Oenbrink says. “As well as countless customers, we send every single one of our sales employees there to learn.”
Joe Mains, another key industry figure and founder of Gold Coast Marine, says: “We’ve had a great experience with Awlgrip. When you first start out as a business owner, you want to surround yourself with manufacturers and products that you rely on. Awlgrip has been there for us for 38 years and helped us become what we are today.”
Pearl Yachts is developing an 82ft raised pilothouse design by Bill Dixon, with a main-deck master suite among five guest cabins in the Kelly Hoppen interior.
The Pearl 82 can reach 33 knots with twin 2,000hp MAN V12s
Pearl Yachts, represented in Hong Kong by Vivian Chan of VP Yachts, is developing the Pearl 82, with the first hull scheduled to launch in 2024. The 25.3m flybridge motor yacht with a 6.3m beam features an exterior by Dixon Yacht Design and an interior by renowned design house Kelly Hoppen Interiors, with both studios behind all current Pearl models.
The Pearl 82 continues an upgrade of the British brand’s range that began with the debut of the Pearl 62 in 2020 and the Pearl 72 that premiered at last October’s Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show before its European debut at Boot Dusseldorf this January.
The 25.3 motor yacht has a raised pilothouse
Iain Smallridge, Managing Director of Pearl Yachts, said: “We are extremely proud to be announcing our third new project in recent years, and it is a particularly optimistic occasion because the first two models, the Pearl 62 and Pearl 72, have been so well received.
“The Pearl 82 applies our core principles of designing yachts that offer our customers more while maintaining style and sophistication. She is the most compact superyacht on the market, offering numerous features previously not available in its sector of the market.”
The garage can house a Williams SportJet 345 and a jet-ski
The Pearl 82 can be powered by twin 1,650hp, 1,900hp or 2,000hp MAN V12 engines, the latter providing a top speed of 33 knots. As with all Pearl Yachts, the Pearl 82 comes with a comprehensive five-year warranty.
Superyacht-style features include a main-deck master suite plus four guest cabins on the lower deck, three crew cabins, a raised pilot house, and foredeck access from the flybridge and master suite.
The bulwarks fold down on both sides of the cockpit (Riviera-option)
Features include fold-down wings at cockpit level, a change from the builder’s flagship Pearl 95, where the wings are either side of the swim platform. The Pearl 82’s garage offers space for a tender up to a Williams SportJet 345 as well as a jet-ski and other water toys.
The aft deck can be outfitted with Riviera or Veranda arrangements to match owners’ lifestyles. The Riviera layout features aft-facing sun pads behind the table and sofa set-up, while the Veranda layout allows the seating to pivot between picnic and private patio orientations, always with the sea in sight.
The foredeck can be accessed from the main-deck master suite
Bill Dixon of Dixon Yacht Design said: “As with every Pearl design, the challenge is to pursue a class-leading, feature-led design. The design had to retain the defining features of a Pearl while balancing a sporty profile with large interior volumes and extensive hull, superstructure and roof glazing. Without a doubt, the Pearl 82 is a stand-out design in the 80ft market.”
A private terrace in the forepeak is accessible from the master suite and from the flybridge, with a dedicated opening to port midships.The foredeck lounge is just a few steps up and has sunpads and a sofa around a cocktail table, and can be covered by a bimini.
The master suite forward on the main deck
The flybridge features a full-sized dining table, multi-functional wet bar and a sun pad and hot tub combo, while freestanding furniture can also be specified. Shelter from the hard top can be adjusted with ‘full shade’, ‘adjustable louvres’ and ‘full sun’ settings.
Inside, the saloon has floor-to-ceiling windows to enjoy views aided by cut-outs in the bulwarks. A forward dining table for 10 guests sits before an eye-catching bar. The galley is accessed to port and the master suite entry is on the starboard side. Engine-room access, galley access and foredeck access are all positioned on the port side of the yacht, ensuringprivacy for guests and crew.
Forward view of the saloon, dining area and bar
Kelly Hoppen Interiors has adapted the three exclusive Pearl Yachts styles, Indulgence, Luxury and Modern, for the new Pearl 82.
Kelly Hoppen CBE said: “There’s that moment when you arrive on a yacht, when you anticipate how you’re going to feel. What I wanted was a place that could be anywhere. It could be on land or at sea. It could be New York, it could be Paris, it could be London. It doesn’t matter, and you feel that you are just floating, which is exactly what you are.
The Pearl 82 features expansive glazing
“We’ve used beautiful materials, and the joinery and the detailing are absolutely intricate, but the feel of when you are on board is quite open plan, with these wonderfully enlarged windows, which make you feel that you are really out at sea, rather than being enclosed inside of a yacht.”
Yacht Sourcing represents Takacat, Polycraft in Indonesia
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New Zealand’s Takacat manufactures inflatable boats and catamarans, while Australia’s Polycraft produces polyethylene fishing boats.
Takacat
Yacht Sourcing has been appointed the exclusive dealer of Takacat and Polycraft in Indonesia. Founded in New Zealand, Takacat is a leading manufacturer of inflatable boats and catamarans, while Australia’s Polycraft specialises in producing high-quality fishing boats.
Takacat
Boum Senous, founder and CEO of Yacht Sourcing, said: “There’s a huge demand in Indonesia for more variety and choice in the rib and tender category, so we’re excited to add Takacat and Polycraft to our portfolio.
Polycraft
“Both brands are ideally suited for Indonesia’s islands and coastal areas, so we can now offer a wider variety of products to our customers whether they’re fishermen, recreational boaters or purely those seeking stable, sturdy boats for transportation.”
Polycraft
Founded in 2016, Yacht Sourcing is a leader in phinisi construction with luxurious builds including the 55m Prana, the 47m The Maj Oceanic and the 50m Vela. The company is also the exclusive Indonesia representative of Fountaine Pajot sailing and power catamarans and Dufour sailing monohulls, and offers management, maintenance, renovation and brokerage of all types of boats. www.yachtsourcing.com
Second Experiential Yachting Forum programme revealed
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Lurssen, Oceanco, Sunreef and Four Seasons Yachts are among speakers at the second Experiential Yachting Forum in Dubai Harbour.
Maria Alekseenko Magan, founder of Experiential Yachting
The second Experiential Yachting Forum will be held on March 2 and 3 at the Dubai International Boat Show (DIBS) conference facilities in Dubai Harbour. Both days start at 1.00pm with registration, networking and a light lunch start before a 2.30pm introduction by moderator Peter Economides, Maria Alekseenko Magan of Experiential Yachting and Riju George, Group Director, Exhibitions at DWTC, organiser of DIBS.
On March 2, ‘Multifunctional Superyachts’ (2.40pm) features Paris Baloumis (Oceanco), Francis Lapp (Sunreef Yachts Eco), Ahmed Youssef (Innovative Marine Ventures, Aqua Pod), Michael Breman (Lurssen) and Samuel Chamberlain (Four Seasons Yachts). Baloumis then hosts ‘Elevating Human Potential through Yachting – Presentation by Oceanco’ (3.00pm).
‘Experience Economy & Yachting – Presentation by Four Seasons Yachts’ (3.15pm) is followed by ‘Multifunctional and multipurpose urban mobile marine development – Presentation by Innovative Marine Ventures’ (3.30pm).
Lapp is again on stage for ‘Cleaner & Healthier Yachting – Presentation by Sunreef Yachts’ (3.45pm) and is followed by ‘Introduction to Holistic Yachting’ with Alekseenko Magan, Prof. Philip B Schoettle, MD, PhD (Aera Health) and Max Schnyder (Aera Health).
Maritime lawyer Jessica Galea then hosts ‘What are the legal aspects for commercial operations of Multifunctional Superyachts – Presentation by Dingli & Dingli law firm’ (4.15pm) before closing remarks at 4.30pm.
On March 3, the welcome speech is followed by ‘Upgrading a yacht for a healthier lifestyle: Longevity, Preventive Health care, Integrated Healing, Rehabilitation programs at sea – Presentation by Aera Health’ (2.45pm).
Pierre Robert de Latour hosts ‘Cetosonotherapy – Immersive Experience – Therapeutic virtues of sounds produced by Orcas’ (3.10pm), followed by Jane Poynter discussing ‘Space Tourism & Yachting – Presentation by Space Perspective’ (3.20pm).
Alekseenko Magan, Julian Amengual and Claudia Batthyany present ‘Revealing the results from Neuroscientific experiment of the Meditation on the Jet Ski’ (3.40pm) followed by Maria Pampoukidi presenting ‘Inauguration of Aqua Face Yoga practice – longevity experience to include while cruising’ 3.55pm).
Jeroen van den Hurk then hosts ‘Integrating technology for holistic cruising experiences; Multi-use spaces; Emotional spaces onboard – Presentation by VBH’ (4.10pm) before a closing speech by Alekseenko Magan, Economides and George.
The two-day event is sponsored by Oceanco, Four Seasons Yachts, Sunreef Yachts, Space Perspective and Islamic Coin, while partners include Dubai International Boat Show and Superyacht Life Foundation.
Loic Serot of ASIAOMB, Event Creator for the World of Luxury
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The luxury event creator demystifies the exclusive world of curated and unforgettable experiences.
By Joseph Low
An NFT artwork of Loic Serot
What Loic Serot loves most about his job is not only the access to a world of exclusivity and luxury but the real interaction and connection he can have with very different and interesting people, celebrities, artistic talents and chefs too. While gastronomy today has been elevated beyond comparison, it remains focused on the table, which has always been a locus for storytelling and history. There is so much to say about dinners, it is the most politically — and artistically — charged moment that can exist, in life itself.
Today at ASIAOMB, as Strategic Director and Art Director, he is broadening and developing the concepts and economy that he has created for dinner to other dimensions in luxury, travel, and yachting to successfully create other kinds of experiences.Ahead, we speak with Loic Serot to learn more about his experiences as an Event Creator.
You are an “Event Creator”, how important has been your family background in becoming who you are now (for eg. your father as an architect and your mother as a fashion designer)?
My parents raised my brother and I with an open mindset and tailored a portfolio of very different experiences that encouraged us to explore a wide range of knowledge from different cultures, literature, architectures, art, fashion and music.
As our parents were often invited to openings, they were not home and we became responsible for our time. We were asked to surprise them when they returned. This pushed us to be creative, transforming the house into another theme by rearranging the lighting and objects, transforming the rooms into a starry hotel and sometimes even dressing up for the occasion. Experimenting with new recipes and cooking soon became a passion we both treasure.
The most fascinating part of my upbringing was my parents’ background as an architect and a fashion designer. They focused on converting 2D drawings into 3D realities, and that influenced the way I perceived things too. I find it transcendental to see the moment when an idea takes shape, birthing from a specific emotion, and then becoming a true experience of changing realities.
If you were to mention one mentor who is inspiring you in your daily life and career, who would that be?
My father, Daniel Serot. He was an unknown genius who played with his senses to manipulate reality and to create a stunning life.
Salvador Dali was another mentor that I look up to. He was not just an iconic painter but also an incredible event designer, staging “impossible” stories.
Another source of inspiration for me comes from the book “Image, Icon, Economy” by Marie-José Mondzain. The book explores the origins of the Byzantine empire’s war of representation and how it influenced our contemporary imagination. Sometimes I do think that Bernard Arnaut learned a lot from it as well.
What would you describe as your forte? What different perspectives do you provide versus other Event Producers?
I would say it is my ability to craft compelling stories based on the laws of the universe, attraction, and excitement, then to translate those stories into distinct chapters that possess their own power and energy of emotion through art, aesthetics and design, and finally to crystallize the magic by ending with a climax of memorable celebrations.
I don’t compare too much to other producers’ work. Instead, I follow my intuition and believe that the best ideas are hidden in the processes of nature, physics, the universe, history, technology and games. I focus all my attention on the subject and work until all parts are mastered, connected and alive in the same direction. Each project is a whole new “economy” to be envisioned and succeed.
Do you have any specificity?
At events, for example, the food plates were mainly used as a white canvas: an invisible support to contrast a chef’s creations, or as a backdrop to reflect the brand’s logo. But for me, each plate is more than a support or a statement, I create them with the same perfection as the other components of the experience. So, each course and plate works in the continuity of a narrative. They display, at first, a chef’s culinary economy (how gastronomy works as a combination of taste, temperature, substance, plating and intention) and then integrate those in a larger framework and artistic context to infuse emotions that link with the wider theme.
The concept of “experience” is key for you when designing an event. What is a successful “experience” for guests?
People attend events to experience something not commonly felt or expected. The key value is to successfully provide access to another reality. We, as event makers, have to be the conduit of newness and allow people to elevate themselves to another level of freedom and imagination — in essence, we are the magicians.
The principles we work by are: ritual, transfiguration, sacrifice, glorification and catharsis.
The actual return on event investment (apart from exponential sales) are these crystalized memories that must persist the longest. And they should be engraved, mirroring as well, brand’s name and philosophy.
Why do you specifically focus on events related to the world of luxury?
If you want to explore more in-depth about specific creation or concept in events, you need ways to afford them. So there is no compromise: the best for the best. For luxury brands and billionaires, they need you to generate exceptional moments for them and their guests. This is a challenge that I readily take on to create new dimensions and ideas to blow people away.
Is there anything you wish to add about your work?
We have learnt so much these last 10 years and chartered new directions for the next 10 so there will be a lot of changes coming. As a result of our work, we also created two new roles: “Dinner Designer” in 2010 and “Culinary-tellers” in 2012 who bring meaning to any event. These new roles have become essential in any high-end event today.
I think that our industry is more complex and sophisticated than in the past, involving a range of new techniques, representations, effects, personalisation and dimensions. So it is crucial to be specific in your approach and invite the right person to do the right job, especially in Asia.
What brought you to Asia? And why did you settle in Hong Kong?
I was drawn to Asia due to its culture, philosophy, and cinema which I felt a connection to my work. After completing three masters in art, design and cinema, I was awarded grants and invited to participate in various art residences in Asia, including becoming a laureate of the prestigious Villa Kujoma, Kyoto in 2005. After this exceptional experience, I chose to stay in Asia. Hong Kong was growing to be fascinating enough to aid me in developing concepts I had about art, architecture and gastronomy.
Building upon the success of our experimentation in festivals and events, we founded ASIAOMB (AO), a company based on an avant-garde vision of unique, sensorial and luxurious curated experiences. For example, we were the first to create a full-immersive video projection and sound-designed series of dinners in Asia for K11 Founder Adrian Cheng in the K11 Art Mall TST opening at the beginning of 2010, inviting a young Singaporean pastry chef to lead the gastronomy and dishes structures, that has since become famous.
After Asia, what is another continent you would like to explore?
We did a few projects in Europe and a lot in South Asia, and we do love Hong Kong and Singapore for their high culture, curiosity and demographic. Now, it seems as well that some of the wealthy Chinese and Americans are interested in us. So, let’s see how it will turn…
What is your favourite memory of an event you organised in Singapore?
There are so many good memories of success. Chanel, in the heart of Aubazine; Cartier, Panthera Odyssey, a sublime exhibition that we signed; Bank of Singapore was one of the more outstanding projects involving virtuality and Web3 theme. The most amazing was definitely the launch of the biggest superyacht in Asia, the White Rabbit for the Goh family.
My very favourite among the others that I have done was the launch of Richard Mille 50-04 with Kimi Raikkonen. It was by far the most challenging but also the most rewarding. I had to come up with a way to raise funds for Kimi’s foundation, while also entertaining the guests with 3-starred meals and reviewing the watch. At first, I was unsure about how to mix luxury, haute watchmaking, celebrities, games and gastronomy, but in the end it all came together seamlessly. The event culminated with an ecstatic series of emotions from races, menu, TV show, table games, intensity and humour, all happened in a world-class setting.
Your next important projects across 2023?
After these three years of strong economic headwinds, we have re-evaluated AO to capitalise more on our exceptional skills. On the one hand, we are continuing to create stunning events for brands and the wealthy incorporating even more potentiality and vision. On the other hand, we are now beginning to engage with investors for a multi-immersion restaurant that would be a culmination and celebration of our 13 years of success in designing dinner experiences.
Additionally, there is also a hotel concept that has the potential to revolutionise the hotel industry with a new destination! But most importantly, after several years as a sponsor and partnership agent, AO will host its own summit that will open in 2024, with the first-ever event that to generate positive carbon credits. Stay tuned!
And about dinner “design”?
The next one is named the “Jet lag dinner” and is being organized for one of our most loyal customers in Europe. We are creating a “flying sun” that will serve as the main source of light during the dinner. The event will incorporate elements of different time zones, economics, psychology, word processes and sustainability as these investors are interested in the blue economy. It will be truly amazing to play with the intensity and positioning of the sun to create an illusion of time dimension, distorting perception and reality and bringing attention to the pressing issue of climate change and our collective responsibility to address it.
Damen Yachting has announced the delivery of the second Amels 60 Limited Editions, Entourage.
The second Amels 60 features customised windows
Built as Project Witchcraft, the second Amels 60 has been delivered and named Entourage, and is set to undertake a busy charter season overseen by Moran Yacht & Ship.
Espen Øino designed the exterior of Amels 60, while the owner was heavily involved in the project and his changes included adapting windows to allow more light in. The owner worked with Canada-based studio Burdifilek on “a luxurious interior, notable for its sense of serenity”, according to Damen Yachting.
Entourage will be available for charter
Damen Yachting handled the naval architecture of the 853GT, 197-footer, and its cutting-edge equipment and technology including IMO Tier III-compliant hybrid power and propulsion.
Arie Midavaine, Project Manager at Damen Yachting, said: “It has been great to see how all parties involved have pulled together and given so much effort during this busy project. The result of their work speaks for itself; the yacht looks stunning.”
Amels 60 features include spacious outdoor areas including the sun deck and swim platform, as well as a foldout balcony in the owner’s suite. The yacht can accommodate up to 12 guests and 12 crew plus a captain, while the foredeck has space for a 9m tender www.amelsyachting.com www.damenyachting.com
