What binds icons like Tommy Hilfiger, Diane von Furstenberg, Valentino, Calvin Klein, Stefano Gabbana (of Dolce & Gabbana), the late Roberto Cavalli, and the late Giorgio Armani beyond their indelible marks on the runway?
The answer is style that transcends showrooms. All of these fashion legends have channeled their creativity into the design and ownership of superyachts, transforming their respective vessels into floating expressions of their sartorial philosophies.
Celebrity yachts tend to be very private. Gabbana’s Regina d’Italia is no exception. When the boat was launched in 2019, there was a media blackout. Naturally, most yacht owners become a bit less secretive about their yachts when they have their vessel listed for sale—thus I got to scope her out last September in Monaco. Knowing the Dolce & Gabbana brand, I anticipated a fair amount of dazzle and bling and was not disappointed. She is a theatrical stunner.
According to those close to him, Gabbana—the celebrated creative force behind Dolce & Gabbana—has always been driven by a passion that extends beyond the world of haute couture. He truly enjoys spending time at sea. In 2006 he and partner Domenico Dolce bought their first 167-foot Codecasa and called her Regina d’Italia, or "Queen of Italy." After selling that yacht, Gabbana went solo on trading up by commissioning the current 213-foot Codecasa on these pages.
Regina d’Italia began as a Codecasa 65m platform. Under Gabbana’s direction, its contours were subtly enhanced, accentuating its snazzy Italian lines and layering decorative elements that hint at what one will find in the interior.
The yacht’s profile glints with a metallic luster. Polished steel railings and sculptural sun pads add to the on-deck artistry that define the entire project.
Gabbana’s vision was clear: he wanted to craft a floating extension of his brand’s vibrant and opulent aesthetic—a fashion statement at sea. While collaborating with the acclaimed Milanese design studio m2atelier, Gabbana still made a point of overseeing many details, ensuring that each space echoed his couture collections: bold, expressive, and meticulously crafted.
Gabbana is a tireless ambassador for Italian heritage. His pride is woven through every fiber of Regina d’Italia, making the yacht not just a private escape but a celebration of national identity and artistic tradition.
“I’ve been fortunate to travel extensively throughout my life, but no place fascinates me more than Italy,” says Gabbana, “As one of the oldest and most historically rich countries in the world, Italy is an endless source of inspiration in art, fashion, architecture, cuisine, and design.”
Italo-style is prevalent in Regina d’Italia. Together, with m2atelier, the fashion icon and the acclaimed design studio forged a dialogue between couture sensibility and nautical engineering, reimagining every corner and contour of the yacht to reflect Gabbana’s taste for drama, luxury, and storytelling.
Gabbana thought the yacht should feel like a living work of art, where fashion and function intertwine. On the main deck, adorning the entrance to the main salon, are an array of paintings and artwork from his personal collection, hinting that this yacht is more fun than function. Flanking the entrance of the salon, you are greeted by a pair of striking museum-worthy sculptures. Interior walls shimmer with hand-painted silks reminiscent of Dolce & Gabbana runway motifs. Jewel-toned velvets envelop lounges, while custom mosaics evoke Mediterranean glamor. The yacht’s predominantly blue palette ranges from soft hues to deep midnight blues as you ascend from deck to deck, creating a visual crescendo.
The open plan main salon features a central convivial lounge area, and (naturally) the dining area has throne-like dining chairs encircling a Fornasetti table. The next level up, the skylounge doubles as a cinema. Every element is curated to inspire awe while at the same time being a bit provocative—a hallmark of true haute couture.
Nowhere is the melding of fashion and yachting more striking than the owner’s suite—a sanctuary of opulence with floor-to-ceiling windows, mirrored ceilings, and custom marble. Walk-in wardrobes are lined with silk and velvet, echoing the textures of a bespoke couture atelier. The bathroom encapsulates the overall sense of whimsy. It’s hard not to notice the bronze faucets sculpted in the shapes of iconic Italian hand gestures, each adorned with gemstone-inlaid rings—a playful nod to Italian culture and communication.
For Gabbana and no doubt for other fashion designers, yachting isn’t just leisure—it’s another form of creative expression.
A personal yacht is an extension of its owners’ artistic legacies, testaments to a life where style, innovation, and craftsmanship know no boundaries. Stefano Gabbana’s Regina d’Italia stands as the ultimate example: a superyacht that is as much a fashion statement as any collection on the runway in Milan. For the next fortunate owner, the yacht promises not just sojourns across the sea, but a journey into the very heart of Italian artistry and couture.