By newsroom
Copyright philenews
Cypriot entrepreneur Costas Cleanthous is expanding into the luxury yacht sector with the addition of two vessels designed by Giorgio Armani and built by The Italian Sea Group.
The first yacht has already been completed and is undergoing sea trials, while the second is in its final construction phase. The debut of the first vessel at the upcoming Monaco Yacht Show is expected to draw strong interest from both investors and luxury yachting enthusiasts, Greece’s Proto Thema reported.
Giorgio Armani x The Italian Sea Group collaboration
A long-held vision of Giorgio Armani, the two identical 72-metre vessels bring the designer’s aesthetic philosophy into the world of luxury yachts. They are the result of an exclusive collaboration between Armani and The Italian Sea Group — under the Admiral brand — led by founder and chief executive Giovanni Costantino.
Both the exterior and interior design are overseen by Armani himself. The exteriors feature clean geometric lines softened by curved surfaces, while the interiors, crafted by Armani/Casa, reflect and enhance the designer’s aesthetic ethos. The result is a harmonious blend of stylistic sophistication, cutting-edge technology and naval excellence, aimed at redefining the standards of high-end yachting.
The partnership between the Italian shipyard and the iconic fashion designer was first unveiled in February 2023 at a high-profile ceremony.
Armani, whose influence on fashion and design has endured for decades, described the project as a deeply personal creative pursuit: “The sea and design are two of my greatest passions. With this new collaboration, I extended the concept of decoration and furnishings into the nautical world, where — as in fashion — aesthetics and functionality coexist naturally and elegantly.”
Costantino added: “This yacht represents the union of Giorgio Armani’s poetic elegance with The Italian Sea Group’s technical mastery. A creative journey that turned a dream into reality, now sailing the seas with grace.”
Built for global voyages, the two Admiral 72|Giorgio Armani yachts are designed to cross all the world’s oceans, combining exceptional design with top-tier nautical performance, offering their owners both ultimate freedom at sea and seamless access to unique destinations.
The International Yacht Company (IYC) is overseeing construction as well as the future management of the yachts.
Who is Costas Cleanthous
Cleanthous is an entrepreneur with interests spanning finance, real estate, hospitality, media and shipping. Best known as the founder of XM in 2009 — a trading platform that grew into a global industry leader with more than 10 million clients across 190 countries — he has built a reputation for strategic vision and adaptability in international business.
Born and raised in Cyprus, he studied at the London School of Economics and City Business School. Alongside his overseas ventures, he has invested in landmark projects in Cyprus, including hotels and media outlets. Through the Cleanthous Foundation, he supports social and charity initiatives, with a flagship project being the planned construction of a state-of-the-art paediatric oncology clinic in Nicosia.
