Yacht Club Portofino
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cabinet de curiositĂŠs
editorial
Portofino is more than a place. More than a word. Portofino is a unique "thing": it's history, legend and present. An amazing marina, the most exclusive of whole Europe, where the Monte plunges into the sea and, in between, flows the most authentic Italian Dolce Vita. The Dolce Vita of the aristocratic parties, captains of industry, artists, stylists, journalist, innovators and actors, who decade after decade praise the beauty of this coast town with their discreet presence, arriving from the sea or the land, to find regeneration and pleasantness. “I found my love in Portofino.�...It's easy, like Fred Buscaglione used to sing, to fall in love with this inlet. Being part of it for real is a privilege granted just to very few people: the town residents (seafaring people, restaurant owners, and shop keepers), or the eminent people (according to etymology: that stand out) who spend their time here. People who do not like the massive worldliness and exhibitionism confusion and who choose to live to the full every single moment of their life. Part and parcel of this unbelievable scenery is The Portofino Yacht Club, a strongly developing reality and a point of reference for those who love sea life and this little wonder overlooking the Ligurian Sea: the club members, the VIPs arriving on their yachts, the fellows that will spend time at the club house e and follow the Ycp activities with passion. These pages you are reading disclose the release of the Portofino Yacht Club official magazine: an issue for a selected public, that I'm honoured to edit, thanks to the long-standing trust that the Club grants me, and to realise along with the Bespoke/ Dry Media friends, real specialists in offering well-advised, international, and highquality publishing products, where images and words are used in a reasoned way. Histories of excellence, an extremely valuable product, to read and treasure, anticipated by these pages that we are glad to offer you already from today. Welcome to the Portofino Yacht Club world, to the editorial space dedicated to a marina "special and stubbornly different", to use Vogue's words, from all the classic Italian sea resort of the legend. Valerio Venturi valeriojventuri.wix.com/valerioventuri
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colophon PUBLISHER IN CHIEF/EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Giansandro Cantori - publisher@thebespokemagazine.co.uk editor in chief & YCP project manager - Valerio Venturi PUBLISHER AT LARGE - Marco Poli MANAGING DIRECTOR - Edoardo Algenti ART DIRECTION - Jenna Bandini WEB EDITOR - Marco Infelise EDITORIAL ASSISTANT - Sara Sammarco Photos YCP - Gio Copello Š Livelifelux ltd instagram @gio_copello @yacht_club_portofino, Francesco Rastrelli Head Office Dry Media Ltd. - 3rd floor - 14 Hanover Street - London W1S 1YH - UK Uk brand Communication Agency per BeSpoke Valentina Cangiano - Pr office - Style Lab LTD info@the-style-lab.com Style Lab Limited - Suite IV, Strata House 34a - Waterloo Rd - London NW2 7UH - UK PRINTING MC Azienda Grafica Srl - Via A De Gasperi 4, - 22072 Cermenate CO - Tel 031 22 80 782 INTERNATIONAL DISTRIBUTOR Pineapple Media Limited - 172 Nothernparade Portsmouth - PO2 9LT - United Kingdom Tel. +44 (0)22392787970 - www.pineapple-media.com ITALIAN DISTRIBUTOR Intercontinental s.r.l. - via Veracini, 9 - 20124 Milan (Italy) Tel. (+39) 02 6707 3227 - www.intercontinental.it
Fred Buscaglione used to sing "I Found My Love In Portofino". Icon of the Dolce Vita, Portofino has been the setting of intense love stories. Among which the one between the Hollywood diva and style icon Elizabeth Taylor and the American singer Eddie Fisher. A black and white snapshot eternalizing also the bond between the actress and the Genoese town: from her stay at the famous Splendido hotel to the dinners at Puny.
INTERNATIONAL ADVERTISING Gruner + Jahr Limited - Silver House, 31 Beak Street - London W1F 9SX - United Kingdom - Tel. +44 (0) 20 / 74 37 43 - 77 - guj.uk@guj.de French Office: G+J International Media Sales c/o Prisma Presse - 17, Rue Henri Barbusse - 92230 Gennevilliers - France Tel. +33 (0) 1 / 73 05 65 32 - gruner.paris@guj.de Benelux office: G+J International Media Sales bvba Coupure Rechts 64/1 9000 Ghent - Belgium - Tel. +32 (0)9 235 02 12 - guj.benelux@guj.de www.gujmedia.com
Alessandro Di Vasta YCP President, Matteo Gaboardi YCP Vicepresident, Giovanni Copello YCP Commodore & Creative Director, Enrico Bernacchia YCP Brand Ambassador, Instagram@enricobernacchia, Cecilia Biodo YCP Press Officer Š Livelifelux ltd Instagram @cecilia_boido cecilia@livelifelux.co.uk
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The editors obtained copyright permission to publish them from the owners of the photographs. Where this was not possible we are available to settle any claims.
"And here it is, suddenly, a gorge bidden away, filled with olive and chestnut trees. A tiny village, Porto-Fino, spreads itself crescent-shaped about this quiet basin. We sail slowly through the narrow strait which joints this delightful natural harbor to the sea, and we enter the amphitheatre of houses, crowned by a forest of a refreshing, strong green hue, both being reflected in the quiet mirror of the sea, where a few fishing smacks seem to be dozing". Guy de Maupassant was blown away by the beauty of Portofino, from the magical peace of the gem of the Tigullio Gulf. Also the French writer was among the many lovers of the village. Because the relationship between famous personalities
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and the navy of the Genoa district is very intense, since time immemorial. What is that conquers the heart of somebody who's accustomed to the best things, success, and beauty? Maybe the unique nature of this small town, secluded but
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Winner of no less than 8 Oscar awards for his performance as the main character, Rhett Butler, in the historical and beautiful movie Gone with the Wind (1939), Clark Gable was a frequent visitor of the prestigious Ligurian marina. Here he's wandering through the town's streets with his future fifth wife Kay Spreckels Williams.
everted, at the same time. The Romans used to call it Portus Delphini. Here, where the cetaceans used to swim, ended up Richard the Lionheart (according to the legend, he sojourned here for a few days), Pope Gregory XI and also Guglielmo Marconi, the inventor of the radio. An important heritage, which enhanced significantly in the XX century: Sir Winston Churchill, Rainier and Grace of Monaco chose Portofino as their most loved “getaway spot�. Then came the movie stars, who during their European journeys loved to sojourn there, almost undisturbed. American stars of the prosperous Hollywood film industry, European actors and singers popular all over the world: everybody ended up at the Piazzetta. The name list
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is impressive: Rex Harrison, Rita Hayworth, Liz Taylor, Richard Burton, Clark Gable, Humphrey Bogart, Ava Gardner, Vittorio Gassman, Marcello Mastroianni, Liza Minnelli, Alain Delon.... Starting from the 1950's, the number of celebrities who came to visit the more and more famous village, praised by Maupassant and sung by Fred Buscaglione during the Italian reconstruction golden years, keeps rising. The tributes from the masters of cinema and fashion increase exponentially with movies and photo sessions shot ad hoc at the Genoese small port. A crowd of Masters of style who delivers an important heritage to the present: a legacy made of refined glamour, class and aristocracy, that still characterizes Portofino and its legend.
The Dukes of Windsor in Portofino during one of their frequent stays in Liguria. Their was one of the most scandalous stories of all time. In 1936, Edward VIII of United Kingdom abdicated to marry the American and divorced Wallis Simpson. The relationship between them was opposed by the Royal House due to her non-aristocratic origins and troubled matrimonial past.
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s u o r u o m a l G
Portofino
The exclusive nature of Portofino is still intact, its unique features keep seducing jet set stars, managers, innovators and artists. The Piazzetta is still the centre of the world, the Terrazza overlooking the sea, just to contemplate it, or to join with the VIPs. As a matter of fact, this is the seaside vacation spot most loved by celebrities in the world. Dolce & Gabbana own a house here and Leonardo Di Caprio is an habitué. The local people remember the landing of the yacht of Steve Jobs, the Apple guru, and the strolls of Robert De Niro, George Clooney, Madonna, Peter Gabriel, Denzel Washington, Ringo Starr, Barbra Streisand, Rod Stewart, and the artist Mimmo
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Cascella. The fearsome Vogue America editor-inchief, Anna Wintour, left here a piece of her heart, as well as Rihanna and many more. The names to be mentioned are really a lot and obviously include some Italians, like Marco Tronchetti Provera, Lapo Elkann, Silvio Berlusconi, Andrea Bocelli, Cesare Cremonini... It doesn't seem strange, considering that Portofino remains loyal to its noble past and aesthetically it is intact and “clean”. The best location for those who arrive in their yachts (very few, much sought-after, available spots), exactly in front of the YCP club house, that welcomes these personalities with care and cordiality. A perfect place to narrate
Portofino is the whole world. The beau monde. A unique gem loved by the glamorous people of today.
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about: in the 1990's, they shot a lot of films here, such as “Enchanted April” - directed by Mike Newell starring Miranda Richardson, or “Beyond the Clouds” by Michelangelo Antonioni and Wim Wenders, starring John Malkovich and Sophie Marceau. Here were also filmed some episodes from the soap opera “The Bold and the Beautiful” and some scenes from “The Wolf of Wall Street“
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by Martin Scorsese. Moreover, Pixar paid a tribute to the Riviera town in the cartoon “Cars 2”. It's not a coincidence that a "Portofino" has been reproduced in the United States at Portofino Bay Resort of the Universal Studios of Orlando, Florida. Are we in Italy? Europe? America? Portofino is the whole world. The beau monde. A unique gem loved by the glamorous people of today.
In the previous pages, the famous 1990s top model, Elle Macpherson, nicknamed "The Body"; the actor who portrayed Rocky Balboa, Sylvester Stallone, takes a stroll with his family; at the bottom: the Mexican actress Salma Hayek, who won the Oscar for the movie "Frida" in 2009 with her husband François-Henri Pinault, magnate of the LVMH group and their daughter. On the opposite page: from the top clockwise, the lyric singer Andrea Bocelli and his wife Veronica Berti; the American singer-songwriter Lana Del Ray with Francesco Carrozzini, photographer and son of the director of Vogue Italy, Franca Sozzani; the singer Mariah Carey and her fiancée, the Australian business man James Packer; Lapo Elkann walking around Portofino. In this page: Pierre Casiraghi on his boat; above, pop princess Kylie Minogue in white sundress.
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IN THESE PAGES, some wonderful images in black and white taken from a famous photo session settled precisely in Portofino, shot by the lens guru Peter Lindbergh with the top models Adriana Lima and Karolina Kurkova for the IWC campaign.
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Y.C.P o n i f o t r o P b Yacht Clu
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Some images of the personalities that daily live the Portofino glossy reality. Above, Giovanni Copello, owner of the exclusive Yacht Club Portofino.
Some time ago, Tim Thomas, head editor of Boat International, wrote an article in the Forbs, “Where billionaires choose to dock: the most exclusive ports in the world”. Number 1 choice? It is, beyond doubt, the exclusive marina of Portofino, gem of the Mediterranean Sea. “Once it was a small fishermen village – explains Thomas – and there's only one road to enter and exit the town, which, by the by, is usually closed, letting the area remain unspoiled. It is likely one of the most beautiful ports, out there: the Marina of Portofino is a place only rich people can afford. It has just 14 moorings, with the maximum level of privacy, so that's why the marina is so exclusive. If you manage to get a mooring, your neighbour will be an artist of the likes of Steven Spielberg (owner of the Seven Seas yacht),
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the Coldplay front man Chris Martin, the pop singer Rihanna. It is also one of the favourite destinations of the Russian billionaire Andrey Melnichenko, owner of the 119 metres A super yacht designed by Philippe Starck”. In this VIPs paradise, so beloved by Vogue's editor-in-chief and many more, the representative for those who arrive on a boat is Giovanni Copello, owner and commodore of the Portofino Yacht Club, talented photographer, friend of very important personalities. “My dream is to create the best Yacht Club in Italy and to share it. A place for captains, sea-faring people, ship owners, friends wanting to relax a stone throw from the marina, with all the available services”. An idea taking shape step by step, for an area with high tourism potential. “To boost the process, the brand-
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owning corporation is experiencing significant developments: agreements to get new areas, with new participants, and by 2016 the club house will be renovated and our dedicated issue, edited by journalist Valerio Venturi, will be launched". "Here - continues Copello - hundreds of yachts arrive every summer and we need to be ready to offer many different services: it's only us who decide who can enter and in addition to the guarantee offered by a shipping agency - which is responsible for bureaucracy, port authorities, customs, fiscal police issues and solves any possible boats' problems - we can benefit from our Yacht Club beauty and services." A high level business that took its first steps in the early 2000s. "My family - continues Copello - is active in the Portofino Yacht Club
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since ten years. In 2009 started the process that has turned it into something more than a shipping agency, with a different significance. We did a marketing exercise, counting on the brand's strength, and improved our activities, also thanks to a sponsor that supported us Robe di Kappa - and a ship that competed in regattas all over the world and shot some spots in Portofino. Here the area is small, but we count on a powerful name, excellent customers, and shortly we will unveil our new club house, the result of our efforts shared with our new partners, such as Enrico Bernacchia for the creative field and the Ycp associates: president Alessandro di Vasta and vice president Matteo Gaboardi�. Ycp is a unique reality. "Here - explains Copello - dock many important personalities. We offer
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In 2009 started the process that has turned it into something more than a shipping agency, with a different significance. We did a marketing exercise, counting on the brand's strength, and improved our activities, also thanks to a sponsor such as Robe di Kappa and a ship that competed in regattas all over the world and shot some spots in Portofino. Here the area is small, but we count on a powerful name, excellent customers and a fabulous Club House.
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reciprocity to the yachtsmen related to yacht clubs in Florida, Antigua, New York, Los Angeles, San Diego... Boats arrive just in front of our Yacht Club headquarters: guests get off the boat and relax, feel at home, in a beautiful area specially made for that purpose. Portofino and its Yacht Club are special places and soon we will make them even more renowned. Here, sea and high class services lovers will find just the very best". YCP Sports Portofino Yacht Club is the protagonist of some excellent endeavours. Two Ycp branded ships took part in very important regattas all over the world, proudly carrying the Genoese marina's name in the most prestigious places. The Ohana, 60 metres long, after a world tour accomplished in 2014, took part with the Ycp emblem at the Bucket
Invitational Regatta ‘14; afterwards, in 2015, took part at the Millenniun Cup in New Zealand; then sailed to Polynesia, Tehaupoo and Bora Bora, where some wonderful photo shoots have been realised. Later on, the ship sailed to Virgin Gorda for the prestigious Loro Piana regatta (achieving the third place), then continued its voyage in the Mediterranean Sea. The events proceeded with the Parsifal (a 70 metres Perini Navi): it was the turn of the Bucket Invitational Regatta '15 in St Barths. Again with the Ohana, the Ycp staff partook in the Loro Piana Super Yacht Maxi in Sardinia. Always in the important places, the one that count, pilgrimage destinations of high level navigation lovers. And in 2016? "We will be with Ohana and Parsifal 3 in the Caribbean, again
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for the Bucket", goes on explaining Giovanni Copello. "It is the world most important rendezvous in the VIPs islands". In addition to the sea sports events, where we participate with branded ships, Ycp has also important connections with winter sports ski resorts, in order to offer the best innovative services. For the winter Club guests, in cooperation with Robe di Kappa - Ycp partner for 2015, and present with us at Cvstos, Cuvee
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Carbon, Neon, L4k3, Sky Shot Portofino - it is in fact possible to practice snowboarding and skiing in Prato Nevoso - a winter resort in Piedmont quite near to Portofino and Montecarlo - and from this year on also in Cervinia, thanks to the partnership with Eliair Monaco, at the Cervino Ski Paradise. The direct link between the marina to the glacier of Cervinia and Zermatt allows to ski also during the summer, at an altitude of four thousand metres.
Above, a wonderful and evocative night image of the Portofino port, a place where dreaming is on the everyday agenda. Also for this reason, many famous personalities prefer this location.
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Local
Not only famous personalities, but also the shops and historical workshops do their part in making Portofino's atmosphere unique and unforgettable.
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Dress & Jewels
The handcrafted products are for sure one of the main offers for the tourists who arrive over here. Among the excellence products, the renowned Ligurian focaccia bread. Then there are the fishermen, that built up (and still build up today) the history of this place.
Portofino? It's reinventing itself. It's reinventing its legend. But there's no doubt that the small town's "charisma" is connected to the beauty of the village and its shops, shopping and spare time destination of the most important people on the planet. Since the Marina is an international VIPs "pilgrimage" destination, all major brands decided to get a shop or at least a window in the town to show the best of their production, among via Roma, the square overlooking the
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small port, and the carrugi (narrow lanes). At the same time, you may also find typical local retail business, not affiliated with big brands, and it is crowded with restaurants, bars, and clubs permanently visited by Portofino's all-season tourism. What are the big brands that have conquered themselves a place in the iconic Ligurian port? Louis Vuitton, for example, or Loro Piana. Also Giorgio Armani has his monobrand shop, just
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The port area also works as a boat storage. Here boats are preserved and "cuddled" as something sacred since many generations. Those who live the port do it in symbiosis with the boats that populate it.
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like Gucci, Zegna, Ferragamo, Pucci, Robe di Kappa; while Spinnaker, Orizzonti, and Mingo are typical Ligurian brands: the first one is one of the most important Italian multibrand stores; Orizzonti offers summer apparel and accessories and pottery; Mingo produces exclusive footwear (loved by Gianni Agnelli). And many more. Switching to another genre, it' impossible to overlook the Spendido, that during its history hosted royal people and very high rank personalities from the culture, fashion, and show business world...Taking a stroll in the centre, there's a huge number of historical destinations most loved by the gastronauts: from Panificio
Canale, where the famous Ligurian focaccia bread is produced, to the bars and restaurants overlooking piazza Martiri dell’Olivetta: in addition to Puny, who cooked trenette with pesto sauce for nearly the whole world and has now ceded the activity, there are Chuflay, L’Altro Eden, Acqua Pazza, Antonio, Oca Bianca... All mentioned in the Michelin guide. ...Just a few suggestive spots: as a proof of commercial dynamism, very stimulating for the visitors who love the beauty, located in the few square metres of the fascinating Portofino: a (pedestrian) happy island where to spend unforgettable moments of luxury relaxation.
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