The Italian brands every owner needs on their superyacht

No scent is more robustly and classically Italian than the original Acqua di Parma Colonia fragrance. This light, fresh cologne of Sicilian citrus fruit, lavender, bergamot and Bulgarian rose has remained unchanged since 1916 when it was created in a tiny artisan laboratory in Parma. It was a breath of fresh air compared to the heady German perfumes in vogue at the time and soon became associated with the well-dressed elite. Hollywood stars Cary Grant, David Niven and Audrey Hepburn were all devotees, heightening the brand’s prestige. Acqua di Parma Colonia celebrated its centenary last year and is still made with the same dedication that earned its initial success. By Bella Dickie

Colonia Eau de Cologne spray, £91 for 100ml, acquadiparma.com

Lingerie has long had a reputation for being a French fancy but the Italians know a thing or two about it, too. Renowned corset maker Ada Masotti founded La Perla in Bologna in 1954, combining the city’s silk and textile heritage with her knowledge of where to lift and sculpt. Her creations were presented in boxes lined with velvet, as if they were jewels, giving rise to the company’s name – the pearl. To channel your inner Gina Lollobrigida or Claudia Cardinale – whether on shore or on deck – try one of its black bodysuits. By Natasha Daniels

La Perla bodysuit, from £215, laperla.com

If you talk to Giuseppe Zanotti about decks, he won’t think first of boats but of DJing. The designer, who comes from San Mauro Pascoli, a small town near Rimini famous for shoe manufacturing, was a keen DJ in the 1980s.

But a passion for art, design and fashion, combined with the craft history of his native town, led him into a career as a women’s shoe designer. Zanotti worked first for small artisanal shoemakers by day, while still spinning records at night, before graduating to the likes of Thierry Mugler, Missoni, Fendi, Roberto Cavalli and Valentino. He has amassed many fans in the world of entertainment. Today that means men, too. Any onboard journey will surely be enhanced by Zanotti’s Kriss high-top trainers for him. Check out his bags, accessories, jewellery and clothing for more of the Zanotti spirit. And if you ask nicely, he might even come and DJ at your next boat party. By Peter Howarth

The Kriss high-top sneakers, from £505, giuseppezanottidesign.com

As horological success stories go, Panerai’s is more remarkable than most. Originally a maker of military optical equipment, the Florentine company was commissioned to create a series of watches for the Italian navy during the 1930s and went on to develop several unique models designed for diving, with highly luminous dials, waterproof cases and patented crown-sealing levers.

By 1970, however, Panerai’s watch operation had become dormant. It resumed small-scale production in 1993 with a civilian range that (so the story goes) attracted the attention of actor Sylvester Stallone. His influence helped revive interest in the brand, which was bought by luxury goods giant Richemont in 1997 and the company is now helmed by CEO Angelo Bonati. Panerai has since developed a cult following with a series of watches that have, largely, remained true to the design ethos of the originals.

The Luminor Submersible 1950 Flyback, pictured here, features a case, dial design and crown-locking mechanism that can be traced back to the 1950s, although the standard of quality, fit and finish is much better today than it was 60 years ago. The watch uses Panerai’s P.9100 movement and is available with a 47mm case in steel or titanium. There is also a special Regatta version, which has an additional pre-race start timing function. By Simon de Burton

Luminor Submersible 1950 Flyback, £13,100, panerai.com

Many profess to design for those with boats and yachts but few have the technical chops and intrinsic understanding of what this requires. Loro Piana, however, has this knowledge in spades. Not only has the Italian company kitted out the interiors of some fine boats with its specially formulated fabrics that combat the dampness of marine environments, it has also developed a revolutionary treatment – Storm System – that makes even the most delicate of materials, including its trademark cashmere, waterproof, while maintaining its soft and luxurious properties. So it’s no surprise that Loro Piana is one of the first ports of call for sartorial elegance on deck. Combine the classically nautical Girocollo Pique Stripe cotton, cashmere and silk crewneck sweater with flattering slim-fit cotton and linen shorts for a sleek, easy outfit for every day. By Eleanor Pryor

All clothing loropiana.com

Summoning an image of a palazzo in Rome or Florence immediately evokes the sights and smells of several things: sunshine, pizza, breathtaking Renaissance architecture, gelato and coffee. You can’t always be in Italy but you can make a damn fine espresso, care of Illy.

The company was founded in Trieste, where beans first came to Europe from North Africa, in 1933. Illy beans are still roasted in Trieste today. For more than 80 years Illy has represented the best in coffee production and innovation. Once roasted, the quality of its beans endures thanks to its pressurised cans, which make sure no aromas or essential oils can escape. This truly Italian dedication means that every Illy coffee can take you straight back to the bustling palazzos, wherever you’re shored. By Jane Fulcher

Illy espresso beans, £77.76 for 12 x 250g, espressocrazy.com

Only this famously creative Italian jeweller could have seen the potential for creating a wristwatch in the form of a snake. But when the first Serpenti watch appeared in the 1940s, Bulgari’s genius quickly became apparent. Further Serpenti products followed, such as rings, belts and bracelets – with a one-off example of the latter famously being worn by Elizabeth Taylor on the set of the epic 1963 movie Cleopatra. But the Serpenti in its horological form is what has most captured the imagination and the legend lives on with the launch of four new models. The highlight is the Serpenti Incantati Skeleton Tourbillon, a high jewellery watch available in either a pink gold case set with rubellites or a white gold case set with diamonds. The snake imagery is completed on the most valuable examples by a coiling, gem-set bracelet in matching precious metal.

Next comes the Serpenti jewellery, with mother-of-pearl, coral, onyx and turquoise combined with diamonds and pink gold, while the new Serpenti Tubogas is inspired by a celebrated Bulgari watch of the 1970s. It comes in a single coil or extravagant five-coil bracelet made from steel, or steel and gold. Perhaps the most practical and wearable of all the new Serpenti watches is the Spiga, which has a coiling bracelet made from high-tech ceramic, a material that is scratchproof, salt resistant and, just like a real snake, always cool to the touch – making it just about perfect for life on a sun-drenched superyacht. By Simon de Burton

Serpenti Secret watch, POA, bulgari.com

Italians love their shoes and one of the most famous names is Salvatore Ferragamo. The brand flourished during Hollywood’s golden age after the young Salvatore opened the doors to his Hollywood Boot Shop in 1923 and swiftly became shoemaker to the stars, wooing clients such as Marilyn Monroe, Greta Garbo and Sophia Loren with his statement, avant-garde designs. Unimpressed with American crafting techniques, Ferragamo returned home and founded a workshop in Florence. With the spoils of his ongoing success, Ferragamo was able to purchase Palazzo Spini Feroni, a medieval palace in the city centre that, to this day, remains the company’s headquarters. By Bella Dickie

Sofia leather bag, £1,385, ferragamo.com

Persol created the 649 sunglasses style in 1957 to protect the eyes of Turin tram drivers. It was taken up by Italian movie stars, including the great Marcello Mastroianni – he sports them in the 1961 film Divorce Italian Style – and now Persol has reinterpreted these iconic frames. Here, actor Scott Eastwood, son of Clint, models a pair of the acetate and metal sunglasses, referencing the style’s screen heritage. Look no further for the ultimate yachting wardrobe essential. By Peter Howarth

Persol 649 sunglasses, £253, davidclulow.com

Prada has a unique reputation among Italian fashion houses, thanks largely to the enigmatic and cerebral character of its designer, Miuccia Prada. Her eclecticism is visible not only on the catwalk, but also in her commitment to the arts, which last year led to the opening of the impressive Fondazione Prada cultural complex in Milan. This permanent exhibition space dedicated to contemporary art and culture is housed in a former distillery redesigned by leading architecture practice OMA.

However, it’s not all about the esoteric. Since 2000, Prada has been behind the Luna Rossa sailing team, which has competed in four America’s Cups. A fragrance of the same name and collections of sunglasses and sportswear (Prada Linea Rossa) all bear testament to the company’s interest in life on the water – a passion of CEO Patrizio Bertelli. By Jemima Wilson

Visit prada.com