When the Orient Express announced its entry into yachting, the industry took notice. Over 140 years after the first Orient Express train departed Paris for Constantinople in 1883, the brand still captures the same sense of romance, elegance and adventure that made the original trains iconic. Now, that legacy is being reimagined for the sea in partnership with Exteta, a luxury Italian furniture brand known for its high-profile collaborations and ability to merge technical materials with sophisticated design.
The answer arrived in the form of the Orient Express Corinthian, a 220-metre, three-masted sailing yacht that currently holds the title of the largest sailing yacht in the world. With just 54 suites, five restaurants, eight bars, a spa, cinema, library and game room, the vessel now represents that 19th-century rite of passage for Europe's elite, now transposed onto the sea.
At the helm of the project is Paris-based architect Maxime d'Angeac, creative director of Orient Express, who was tasked with translating the brand's storied aesthetic - Art Deco glamour, French savoir-faire, meticulous craftsmanship - into a seafaring experience. The interiors reflect this vision through carefully curated materials and colour palettes that evoke the golden age of travel. But what about the outdoor spaces? How do you furnish the decks of a vessel this significant without compromising on heritage, performance or style?
For the Orient Express Corinthian, Exteta and d'Angeac designed an entirely new collection called Al Mare, a range of outdoor furnishings created specifically for the yacht's decks, including a folding chair, a coffee table and a dining table.
“The Al Mare collection draws inspiration from nautical furniture design,” explains d’Angeac. “Its essential aesthetic, crafted with meticulous care and conceived to withstand the elements, conveys a sense of solid stability that contrasts with its apparent lightness. The lines of each piece are elongated and the edges softened, allowing for a fluid and sinuous style. By combining leather with metal or ceramic, the collection moves beyond more traditional nautical references, reinterpreting them with refinement and elegance.”
The folding chair is perhaps the most iconic piece in the collection. Its lightweight, foldable nature makes it practical for life on deck, yet its robust structure – built in anodised aluminium and upholstered in outdoor leather - ensures durability and comfort. The slender armrests are defined by leather detailing to add tactility to the piece.
Accompanying the chair is a low table designed for relaxation and informal dining. Standing at 75 centimetres, its round top is made from natural stone and supported by a central leg clad in leather with a painted stainless steel base.
The coffee tables, meanwhile, function as versatile sculptural elements. Their defining feature is a three-legged base arranged in a radial pattern that complement the round tabletop.
What sets the Al Mare collection apart is its use of high-performance materials that don't sacrifice aesthetics for functionality. Outdoor leather, anodised aluminium, natural stone, stainless steel - each material is chosen not only for its visual appeal but for its ability to withstand the demands of saltwater, sun and wind while maintaining the elegance expected of the Orient Express name.
The Orient Express collaboration is the latest in a series of high-profile partnerships that have positioned Exteta as a go-to brand for luxury outdoor furniture in both the nautical and fashion worlds. Previous collaborations include work with Loro Piana Interiors and Jacquemus, as well as a significant ongoing partnership with Riva, one of the most iconic names in yachting.
Designed by Massimo Castagna, the Exteta x Riva collection debuted last year and has since expanded to include new furnishing elements that further blur the line between yacht and shore.
The collection draws directly from Riva's design language, incorporating signature materials such as Sapelli mahogany and ultra-resistant stainless steel. What began with sofas, armchairs, tables, side tables, sun loungers and lamps has now grown to include a corner element for the modular sofa, a pouf, a folding chair, a swivel stool and two distinct coffee tables.
The new Sofa Angular is ideal for creating a lounge corner that feels both intimate and open. The accompanying pouf, featuring soft upholstery and a structure in mahogany and stainless steel, serves a dual function as both an informal seat and a footrest.
Two standout additions are the Foldable Chair and the Swivel Stool. The folding chair pays tribute to a quintessential furnishing found on luxurious vessels, reinterpreted through fine, high-performance materials and handcrafted finishes. The stool, with its swivel seat and adjustable height, draws inspiration from the leisurely moments experienced on the decks of classic yachts.
Completing the collection are tables and coffee tables. The Round Coffee Table, made entirely from solid Sapelli mahogany in compact dimensions, features a three-legged base and a circular top with luminous grain. By contrast, Bitta - made entirely of stainless steel - is more sculpture than table. Composed of mirror-polished steel, its form is inspired by the shape of a nautical bollard.
The ultimate celebration of the Riva brand takes shape in the new Riva Deck finish, available for the collection's tables and coffee tables and defined by a handcrafted mahogany top featuring the signature maple striping typical of boat decks.
Discover more about Exteta's collections and collaborations at exteta.it.
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