With MAIORA and ELIE SAAB’s 42 EXUMA, two luxury worlds merge to redefine modern elegance on water
Shereen Shabnam
In the realm of high luxury, the lines between disciplines have started to blur. Nowhere is this more strikingly evident than in the debut of the 42 EXUMA, a 42-metre masterpiece born from the inspired collaboration between historic Italian shipyard MAIORA and iconic fashion house ELIE SAAB. This yacht is the embodiment of what happens when haute couture meets maritime engineering, where aesthetics and innovation coalesce in a singular experience of refined living at sea.
The 42 EXUMA reimagines yachting through a lens typically reserved for high fashion: bespoke, expressive, and exquisitely detailed. From its sculpted exterior lines by acclaimed designer Giorgio Maria Cassetta to the curated interiors envisioned by ELIE SAAB under the creative direction of Carlo Colombo, the yacht reflects a new chapter in cross-industry design—one where movement, luxury, and lifestyle merge in harmony.
At first glance, fashion and yachting may seem worlds apart, yet both are deeply rooted in craftsmanship, proportion, materiality, and the celebration of space. With the 42 EXUMA, these parallels come to life. From the fluid silhouette of the yacht, evoking the drape of an Elie Saab gown, to the interplay of natural light and mirrored surfaces inside, every design decision tells a story of refinement and restraint.
The choice of materials—Mystic Ocean marble, bronzed mirrors, Fumo di Londra stone, and marine-grade teak wood—offers a tactile narrative that bridges the terrestrial world of fashion ateliers with the salt-kissed glamour of the open sea. Accents from the ELIE SAAB Maison collection are seamlessly woven into custom-designed furnishings, creating an atmosphere of effortless sophistication.
But beyond its visual elegance, 42 EXUMA represents a paradigm shift in the very concept of yacht living. Rather than adhering to legacy layouts, MAIORA and ELIE SAAB have restructured the onboard flow to prioritise experience over tradition. Guest suites have been elevated and relocated to the main deck for natural light and sea views, while the upper deck is conceived as an open-plan living area that dissolves boundaries between interior and exterior.
This holistic approach to space echoes the ethos of modern fashion: versatile, intuitive, and built for how we live now. The sun deck, spanning 80 square metres, becomes both a sanctuary and a stage. The forward-facing infinity deck, a symbol of movement and serenity, offers uninterrupted views and uninterrupted thoughts.
As fashion expands beyond garments and yachting evolves into experiential design, collaborations like MAIORA x ELIE SAAB are setting a new precedent. Here, design is not confined by industry; it flows across disciplines to reflect the desires of a new generation of luxury consumers – those who seek harmony, not hierarchy, between beauty and purpose. Slated for delivery in Summer 2027, the first unit of the 42 EXUMA has already been sold, marking the beginning of what promises to be an exciting new frontier.
