“ For me, the Riva Aquarama is simply one of the most beautiful things I own. It will never go out of style because it is a work of art created by a genius. Like the works that remain over time and in our memory, it amazes me every time because it proves that man’s craftsmanship can produce stunning masterpieces that, in turn, forge the aesthetic soul of those who admire them,” states Alberto Galassi, CEO of Ferretti Group, which now owns iconic Italian boatbuilder Riva.
“When I first arrived at Ferretti Group, I thought again about magic and destiny, as if my Aquarama had carried me here down a bewitched and mysterious stream. In fact, in the kaleidoscope of feelings I have for my boat, there is also the reverence you feel when facing those phe- nomena that you can perceive with your senses but cannot rationally explain. For me, it is heart, passion, faith!”
“No other boat has enjoyed the Aquarama’s elevated brand status,” notes the publisher. “Movie stars like Sophia Loren, Brigitte Bardot, Elizabeth Taylor and a coterie of aristocrats—including the royal family of Monaco and the Shah of Iran—were among the first to acquire it, which added to the mystique in the public’s eye. But most owners were high-net-worth individuals who were willing to buy an Aquarama for about the same price as a Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud.” The quotes appear in Riva Aquarama, a new book from the luxury French publisher Assouline, coinciding with the celebration of their 60 year anniversary. Written by Michael Verdon and the main photography by Oliver Pilcher is a sumptuous tribute to the iconic runabout. www.assouline.com
