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Hugo Boss IMOCA 60 Yacht | 2019
Hugo Boss IMOCA 60 Yacht | 2019

Designers: Karim Rashid Inc., New York, New York
Naval Architects: VPLP Design, Paris, France and Alex Thomson Racing, Gosport, United Kingdom
Manufacturer: Carrington Boats Limited, Hythe, United Kingdom
Client: Hugo Boss AG., Metzingen, Germany


Karim Rashid has worked alongside the Alex Thomson Racing Team and HUGO boss in forming the unique vision for the boat, which will sail in a number of long-distance races – the pinnacle being the world-famous Vendée Globe. Known as the “Everest of Sailing,” the solo, the unassisted round-the-world race is one of the most grueling challenges a yachtsman can face, and a personal goal for skipper Alex Thomson, who – after coming in third in 2012 and second in 2016 – has his sights set on the first place.

Karim’s concept for the boat was to make a graphic statement by embracing new technologies and materials. Working with solar panels, techno paints, and the latest printing technologies, he shaped a boat that speaks about speed, exclusivity, energy, conservation, and courage.

Every round of designs had to be analyzed from a performance perspective. It led to a lot of iterations and revisions but ultimately helped narrow down to the best possible design function and aesthetics, marrying the Hugo Boss brand, Alex Thompson Racing, and Karim’s own aesthetics. The graphic elements look ethereal in practice but have a concrete result when it comes to boat building. Karim and the team minimized the amount of paint used, work graphically with the carbon fiber, etc.

Conserving resources means using less raw materials and energy throughout a design’s entire life span. The overarching theme of reduction perfectly played into the final design.

Karim says: “Meeting Alex Thompson and touring the boat, showed me the great passion needed for these races and projects. Meeting with HUGO Boss and the ATR team members, having a constant back and forth dialogue was essential in shaping the final design. Meeting with Stewart Hosford showing the carbon fibre samples helped steer us in the right direction for what we should base the design around, using the carbon as direct inspiration for the livery as this boat being made of carbon fibre is the first of its kind.”


Hugo Boss IMOCA

Hugo Boss IMOCA

Hugo Boss IMOCA

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