The 8th of March is International Women’s Day – a day to celebrate the gains made towards women’s equality in workplaces and societies across the world, and to draw attention to current women’s issues and push for greater social change. The yachting industry is filled with female talent, with architects and designers from both sides of the Atlantic creating innovative, bespoke and award-winning designs. The list below is by no means comprehensive but showcases some of the amazing talents of recent years.
Pascale Reymond:
Since opening Reymond Langton Design in 2001, Pascale Reymond and co-founder Andrew Langton have created the impressive interiors of many luxury yachts including TITAN and SERENE from Abeking & Rasmussen and Fincantieri amongst others.
Superyacht SERENE with interiors by Pascale Raymond
Laura Sessa Romboli:
This Italian designer has an established name in the industry, working on turning some of the world’s largest and most expensive yachts from bare hulls into lavish interiors. Amongst these are superyachts MADAME KATE (61m/199ft) and CHOPI CHOPI, the former winning multiple accolades at the Monaco Yacht Show in 2015.
MADAME KATE – Main salon by Laura Sessa Romboli
Fiona Diamond:
After great success with her first design company specialising in commercial and residential interiors, Fiona Diamond joined the design team at Terence Disdale Design and worked on more than 30 superyacht interiors before establishing Seymour Diamond in 2010. Past projects include prestigious names ECLIPSE, PELORUS, and Feadship‘s ROYAL ROMANCE.
Superyacht ROYAL ROMANCE. Photo credit Jan Ramaker
Margherita Casprini:
A designer with a few notable launches this year, Margherita Casprini worked on the interior of luxury yachts ALBA and 2016 awards finalist SUERTE, as well as the upcoming Baglietto 55m and the Tankoa S501 in conjunction with Francesco Paszkowski.
Mega yacht SUERTE – Saloon by Margherita Casprini
Francesca Muzio:
Interior designer of the Shangri-La Hotel in London’s The Shard and part of the team behind FM- Architettura di Interni Design, Francesca Muzio produced interiors for long established industry names including Amels, Abeking & Rasmussen, Lürssen and Benetti. 65m/213ft POLAR STAR, 50m/164ft EILEEN and 52m/170ft AMORE MIO 2 are some of the luxury charter yachts available on the market that have Francesca Muzio’s effortless style and atmospheric surroundings.
Polar Star owner accommodation – photo Stuart Pearce
Sandrine Melot:
Beginning her career in the hotel industry, Sandrine Melot soon expanded her portfolio into restaurants, office spaces, residential properties and superyachts. She debuted in the yachting industry with 34m/1112ft BLUE PRINCESS STAR and took first place in the ‘Semi-Custom M/Y – Open/Sport Cruiser Division’ category, furthering her stellar portfolio with projects including award-winning sailing yacht NIRVANA and awards finalist motor yacht PHILMI.
M/Y PHILMI – Wet bar by Sandrine Melot
Adriana Monk:
Known for working on ‘interiors in motion’, Adriana Monk has designed for Rolls-Royce, Jaguar and Land Rover. Her focus on forming an environment that is both stylish and functional led to her appointment as interior designer for the 30m/98ft WallyCento Hamilton and her work continues to focus on sailing yachts, particularly those designed for racing.
30m luxury yacht Hamilton – Salon by Adriana Monk
Daniela Zulli:
Heading her own design company before joining Terence Disdale Design, Daniela Zulli has been involved in a number of yachting interiors with the company, including M/Y KIBO from 2014 and 147m/482ft TOPAZ from Lürssen.
Abeking & Rasmussen luxury yacht KIBO
Cristina Gherardi:
From updating high-end retail and residential spaces, Cristina Gherardi has also worked on luxury interiors for jets and yachts, with well-known names such as ODESSA and SAVANNAH amongst others.
84m/274ft superyacht SAVANNAH was one of the most anticipated yachts of 2015 – being launched as the world’s first hybrid propulsion yacht – and won accolades for her engineering and design.
M/Y Savannah – Interior by Cristina Gherardi. Photo credit: Jeff Brown
