There was a time when putting a fashion brand’s name on a yacht meant little more than choosing fabrics, furnishings, and finishes. Elie Saab seems to have much grander ambitions.
The fashion house known for its red-carpet gowns and bridal haute couture is bringing its world of luxury to the nautical realm with the new Supernova from Maiora. The 50.9-meter (163-foot) project continues the collaboration that began with the 42 Exuma line, but takes it to a considerably larger scale.
Unveiled at the Cannes Yachting Festival, the Supernova 50’s exterior lines and overall layout were jointly designed by Elie Saab and veteran naval designer Tommaso Spadolini. The interiors, meanwhile, were developed under the creative direction of Elie Saab’s team and designer Carlo Colombo.
From a technical standpoint, the Supernova 50 is the shipyard’s first steel-and-aluminum yacht, a major milestone for any builder (smaller yachts are typically built from GRP, or glass-reinforced plastic). This new and more complex project is currently under construction at Maiora’s facilities in Pisa, with delivery scheduled for the second half of 2028, according to the Italian shipyard.
From Haute Couture to the Sea
For years, Elie Saab has been expanding his universe beyond haute couture into furniture, interior design, hospitality, and real estate. The Supernova 50 takes this concept a step further.
“Supernova 50 is a deeply personal project,” says Elie Saab Jr., CEO of Elie Saab, who describes the yacht as a design centered on family, shared experiences, and the joy of living beautifully at sea.
Inside, pieces from the Elie Saab Maison collection are paired with custom elements created specifically for the marine environment.
A private world for the homeowner, along with spacious communal areas
The Supernova 50 features an entire deck dedicated to the owner, designed as a private retreat, with a suite offering 180-degree views and direct access to a bow terrace. Together, the interior and exterior spaces total approximately 90 square meters.
For a yacht just 50 meters in length and less than 500 GT, Maiora has skillfully utilized the space to create a sanctuary within the yacht itself: a private world set apart from the main guest areas.
The outdoor spaces are spread across five decks, while the aft beach area has been designed to be more than just a simple swim platform. It features a swimming pool, folding wings, and space for a large tender, creating what Maiora describes as an extension of the yacht on the water.
The Supernova is proof that the Maiora shipyard wants to venture beyond its usual territory without straying from the design philosophy that has made it successful.
“Entering the steel and aluminum superyacht segment represents a natural evolution of our growth trajectory,” says Giorgio Mattei, vice president of Next Yacht Group, Maiora’s parent company. “We didn’t just want to build a 50-meter yacht; we wanted to create a yacht capable of expressing our vision of hospitality, comfort, and quality of life on board.”
For both the fashion house and the shipyard, the collaboration is a great fit. Maiora is building a yacht, and Elie Saab is creating a new way of life aboard it.
