If there’s a fashionista in your household, she probably knows the name Elie Saab. Those of you who watch the annual Academy Awards broadcast know his handiwork, too: Actress Halle Berry was clad in one of his creations, a much-photographed burgundy gown, when she won Best Actress in 2002.
Here’s your chance to be clad – figuratively – in one of the Lebanese designer’s new creations, a superyacht. The ES117 concept project, publicized by fashion-oriented media over the past few months, was unveiled at the Abu Dhabi Yacht Show last week, in conjunction with Oceanco. In fact, the ES117 is the first of three that are expected to result from the new collaboration.
Measuring 117.28 meters (about 385 feet), the ES117 bears the increasingly popular knife-like bow. This is among the many exterior styling elements by Weyves Couture, a company formed to provide haute couture design for yachts, jets, and luxury homes. It targets clientele who wish to have the most famous fashion designers and/or fashion houses lend a level of extra exclusivity to their residences and pleasure pursuits. Saab is the first among several designers with which the company intends to collaborate in the megayacht sector.
Given its new entry into this sector, however, how and why did the team select Oceanco? After all, a number of yacht builders can construct and/or have delivered craft upwards of 100 meters. Oceanco’s experience gave it the edge: It has built eight megayachts in the 80-meter-plus (262-foot-plus) range, and it continues to focus on that end of the market.
Oceanco naturally will provide naval architecture for the ES117, anticipating building her of steel and aluminum, and Saab will oversee the interior. Saab has envisioned higher than usual ceilings throughout the yacht, as well as other unexpected touches. There will be two owner’s suites, for example, spread over two decks. Even with the super-size LOA and 18.65-meter (62-foot) beam, there will be just 10 guest suites, so you can imagine the space devoted to each. Everyone will have use of a theater, a spa, and a gym, as well as an alfresco swimming pool (see the foredeck in the illustration just above) and, of course, a Jacuzzii (see the uppermost deck forward, in the first illustration here). As for toys, The ES117 will be capable of carrying a helicopter, personal submarine, and automobile. Tenders and other watertoys selected by the owner will bear Saab’s signature, to underscore the couture aspect.
While construction won’t commence unless a contract is signed, interested parties can expect a 20-knot top end, due to hybrid power that includes four MTU 20V4000 diesel engines.
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