All bow for the SuperYacht Gallery at Saatchi London

The super yacht industry has seen a change of wind recently in its sails and yachting related events has been no exception.

What used to be a predictable line up of events and shows, has somewhat turned in favour to what one might be more familiar with in the automotive, fine art or jewellery industry.

While a concept yacht show is yet to see its day, two bright men both hailing from well-known yachting backgrounds and more significantly, Millennials, decided last year to get together to shake up the scene and offer a completely new approach to understanding and appreciating yachting in 2017 and beyond (we hope).

Forget the line up of super yachts we are accustomed to at international boat shows, brokers hungrily awaiting for their next client to come aboard or middlemen scrambling for the invitation of the season to chit chat among themselves. The Super Yacht Gallery was an elegant, civilised and moreover exclusive opportunity to discover or re-discover what is known to us as the epitome of luxury assets. Gone were booths, brokers and over the top fluff.

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SuperYacht Gallery

The inaugural SuperYacht Gallery held at the emblematic Saatchi gallery and addressed all facets of the yachting industry, but was conceived as one presentation in a contemporary and gallery environment. Each participating exhibitor was vetted and selected for its content proposed to the organisers.

For the enjoyment of its guests, made up of superyacht owners, designers, art collectors, VIPs and ultra-high net worth yacht enthusiasts, the exposition, a first-of-its-kind for the industry, featured 7 themed exhibition areas. Starting with the Business of Yachting gallery, visitors were taken on an eclectic journey through themed-rooms focused on Imagination, Craftsmanship, Innovation, Exploration, Lifestyle and Performance.

“We are thrilled to bring to London the world of yachting. It is a business and a lifestyle unfamiliar to most but of interest to many. I wanted to make the subject accessible and not only to insiders. To welcome those who want to learn about the brands or the business, but also those who want simply to get inspired. We designed a format that is familiar to the audience: an art exhibition” said Merijn de Waard, Founder & Director as well as owner of SuperYacht Times.

Highlights of the 3-Day Exhibition

Some of the many highlights of the three day exhibition included live sketching of yacht designs by renowned Norwegian yacht designer, Espen Oeino, a commissioned interactive painting installation by Lürssen Yachts, rare photographs from super yacht owners presented exclusively for the exhibition as well as live sketching by British designers Winch Design to name but a few.

“Having worked in the yachting industry for years, there isn’t a place where industry intelligence, inspiration, and business can take shape at once. And certainly not in such a setting. The yachting world is full of dreamers and innovators, so we invented a new format with a more artistic expression of our world.” said Marijn Smit, Co-founder & Director as well as former Manager for events and multimedia at Feadship.

Taking You Behind the Scenes of Yachtmaking

The event lent itself to share what actually goes on behind the scenes in the making of these beautiful floating palaces. The many talented people involved in the build to include designers, engineers, naval architects, shipyards, lawyers and decorators were all at hand to showcase their specialisation in a much appreciated manner be it through their exhibition area or by individually or as a panel speaking at one of the programmed seminars.

Once guests and paying attendees had taken their time to visit what they deemed of most interest, it was possible for VIP guests and partners to enter into the realm of a comfortable and chic VIP deck on the top floor. Offering guests the opportunity to engage with some of the super yacht industry’s most influential players, guests could also reach out by requesting one on one meetings with those present while sipping a cocktail in the beautiful Lalique glassware reminiscent of the luxuries on board a super yacht.

The extremely tight knit evening events were hosted by super yacht law firm, Clyde & Co on the first evening while the second evening brought guests’ attention to the increasing need to help preserve our oceans thanks to Blue Marine Foundation, who also support the initiative by hosting an annual star-studded London-Monaco cycle ride.

All in all, amid the never before seen marble wall sculptures from Zaha Hadid Architects presented by Citco and new series of carbon-fibre and steel sculptures, specially conceived for yachts by Artist and designer Arik Levy, the event was a success. Moreover, it was a refreshing and uplifting opportunity for especially the elite London-residents to appreciate and discover the world of the fast, bold and beautiful in a completely brand new dimension, and one that will surely set the tone to many an event to come and attract a following for years to come should it be repeated here or in other capitals worldwide… Exhibition took place in London, 1-3rd June 2017