Paolo Allasia, the Italian yacht designer whose credits include motoryachts and superyachts with Azimut and AB Yachts, died August 21. He lost his life, at age 48, after swimming out to rescue children off San Lorenzo al Mare, Italy.
The incident occurred in the early evening while Allasia was vacationing with family and friends. According to published reports, the children, including his own sons, encountered difficulty in rough waves. Although Allasia entered the water and helped bring them to safety, he soon required assistance himself. A lifeguard and fellow tourist reportedly brought him to shore before further emergency personnel arrived. The resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful. The port authority continues to investigate the full circumstances of the evening.
Born April 19, 1978, in Alba, Italy, Allasia grew up in nearby Diano d’Alba. He studied transportation design at the Istituto Europeo di Design in Turin, one of the world’s leading design schools, from 1999 to 2002. He then began his career in the automotive sector, working with the IDeA Institute, including within the Fiat Style Center.
A few months after leaving in early 2005, Allasia turned his attention toward yacht design. The decision changed the trajectory of his career. In the fall of 2005, for instance, he landed a position within the Azimut-Benetti Group. Over the course of the next 13 years, he took on more responsibility, rising to senior designer. Allasia oversaw motoryacht-model development through multiple stages, including early 3D renderings. Although he formed Allasia Design in 2015 while still with Azimut-Benetti for yacht, automotive, and industrial design, his next big step came in 2019. Allasia joined Exe Design Italia, a Turin-based studio, becoming a partner and chief designer.
Alongside Exe Design Italia’s founders Stefano Bedoni and Andrea Staricco, Allasia provided a range of services to multiple yacht builders. Those services included 3D renderings for full yachts, for example, as well as particular components like superstructures. They also included engineering. Clients who collaborated with Alasia at the company included AB Yachts and, perhaps not coincidentally, Azimut Yachts. In fact, Exe Design Italia contributed to several production yachts and megayachts from Azimut, including the Azimut Fly 82. AB Yachts, meanwhile, turned to the studio for the AB 110S, a sleek superyacht.
Both Allasia’s former colleagues and industry representatives speak highly of his character. “He was always generous with everyone, and his altruism was demonstrated even in the gesture that cost him his life,” Bedoni tells the Italian newspaper La Stampa. Next Yacht Group similarly praises him for his honor and compassion. “We will remember Paolo for his remarkable professionalism and talent, for his dedication, reliability, composure and integrity,” the company posted on LinkedIn. “But above all, we will remember his kindness. A quiet, genuine kindness that distinguished Paolo in every conversation, every meeting and every moment of work we had the privilege of sharing with him. It is perhaps the most precious memory he leaves with us.”
Allasia is survived by his partner, Elisa, and his sons, Riccardo, 11, and Edoardo, 14. His funeral was held August 24 in Diano d’Alba.
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