
If you’re a fan of rock stars like Steven Tyler and Keith Richards, you’ve probably noticed chunky silver jewelry in the shapes of skulls, crowns, and ornate crosses adorning their necks and fingers. These creations of King Baby Studio are also popular among Hollywood actors and actresses as well as the young and fashionable – and at least one big boater.
And no wonder. King Baby jewelry is hip, edgy, and yes, even gleefully rebellious, letting a person’s individuality shine through. Funny enough, the same thing can be said for custom megayachts. Think about it: A megayacht is intended to be an individual expression of a particular owner’s lifestyle. One boat might feel like a formal floating manor home, while another might embrace every element of minimalism. Neither design is exactly what you’d call nautical, and that’s the point: The decor is true to who the owner is and what he or she wants guests to experience.
So it’s no surprise, then, that this concept is clearly evident everywhere aboard a new Hargrave christened King Baby. Named for the ornamental line (the owner is a good friend of the jeweler), and even borrowing the logo design of the company’s name, the 100-footer exudes a love of rock-‘n-roll and emphasizes entertainment.

Against the backdrop of Hargrave’s beautifully bookmatched cherrywood and stonework, the owner worked with designer Shelley DiCondina of Yacht Interiors by Shelley to make this happen. Even the soft-rock or Sinatra set can appreciate King Baby, as artfully photographed images of music’s best performers, from Bruce Springsteen to Debbie Harry and beyond, are strategically placed to catch your eye. Walking among the decks is like strolling through an art show dedicated to music, with a few King Baby Studios-themed cigar boxes and other decorative items added for good measure.
One of the best examples of the marriage of the owner’s personality and a room’s purpose comes in the dining area. Here, a large print of Beggar’s Banquet, the legendary shot of the Rolling Stones from the inside of the album of the same name, adorns the forward bulkhead. Since the dining area is open to the saloon, the cool vibe gets heightened, particularly at night, thanks to the backlit onyx-topped bar to starboard, just inside the doors from the aft deck.
Speaking of vibes, each of the staterooms imparts an individual personality. A photo of Jim Morrison hanging in the VIP might light one guest’s fire, while the photo of Madonna in the twin-bedded stateroom will appeal to younger Materials Girls. Meanwhile, Keith Richards peers out through his deep, dark eyes in the master suite.
Even with all of this attention to art details, the owner didn’t overlook practical measures. The handful of alfresco spaces, ranging from the flying bridge to the bow, can alternately be exposed to sun or shaded. A soft panel in the hardtop retracts, for example, ideal for catching rays or a fresh breeze when King Baby is running at a high cruise of 18 knots or a top speed of 21 knots. An umbrella can be put in place over the bow’s sunpad.
The owner also paid particular attention to the captain’s and crew’s needs. The captain and his wife both work aboard King Baby, so they have a double cabin, and a bunks cabin accommodates the other two permanent crew (a freelance chef gets hired for charters). Both staterooms are good sizes. The deckhand told me that, even with 1,675-hp Caterpillars onboard, he and the other crewmembers don’t hear a thing when the door to the engine room is closed.
King Baby is presently cruising and chartering in the Bahamas. Here’s more.
photos: Bugsy Gedlek (interior); Suki Finnerty (profile)
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