Sanlorenzo will work with world-famous car designer Chris Bangle to “bring a fresh voice to the creative process” of crafting superyachts, CEO and chairman Massimo Perotti has revealed.
The partnership will run deeper than briefing Bangle to draw the lines of luxury yachts, explained Perotti: “Chris is not only an amazing designer, world famous, but also a talented manager, able to run complex and multicultural teams. Starting today, he will not only develop with us outstanding new Sanlorenzo yachts, but also will bring his experience in shaping our future managerial culture."
Bangle is best known for his role as creative director at BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce. After he left to establish Chris Bangle Associates, he was hired by Samsung.
It’s an interesting move, since Bangle has been vocal in the past about his dislike for yacht design.
At a press conference revealing this partnership and celebrating 10 years of Perroti at the helm, Bangle further underlined his opinion that most yachts are a "mess that look like six cars have been smashed together". He added that his opinion on yacht design hasn’t changed but he has carved out huge exceptions for Sanlorenzo, being drawn to the strong brand.
“I have great respect for the strength of the Sanlorenzo brand and the quality and emotion crafted into every ship they create; their discerning clientele are highly tuned to all these aspects,” Chris said. “I believe strongly in the Sanlorenzo that Massimo has built in this past decade and congratulate him on this accomplishment; his vision for the next ten years is even more compelling.”
The partnership has begun, but it will be a couple of years before we get to see anything from Bangle’s hand. The first yachts he will work on will be the SX Explorer line.