A briefing session provides a clear overview of the project. 

• The yachts design
• The tastes and preferences of the owners
• Private or commercial charter
• The products, quantities and quality
• The budget and time frame
• Who’s involved and their responsibilities

1. Visualizing the yachts design

Interior professionals have a talent for seeing 2D drawings and making them 3D in their heads. The easiest way to communicate the design of a yacht by looking at:

• Material samples show the colour palettes and textures onboard to be complimented in the product choices.
• Rendered drawings are provided by the yachts interior design team to show the vision of the finished spaces. For a stylist this shows the atmosphere and the design aesthetic.
• General arrangement drawings show the layout and the space in real terms. This tells a stylist the dimensions of the spaces and built in elements, the available storage and the general flow.

2. Private or commercial chartering

Knowing if the boat will be used by family and friends or rented out for luxury vacations impacts on the product choices, the quantities to order and the quality expectations. It also has implications on billing tax over goods (VAT).

3. Learning about owners preferences

When outfitting a yacht a stylist is sourcing and buying products for someone else. So it’s very important to get an overall impression of their tastes and understand their likes and dislikes. They may also have brand preferences. It’s ideal when you can meet in their home as this reveals a lot about their personal style.

4. The product list or inventory

In the briefing it’s decided which product categories need to be sourced. The general quantities may vary depending on how the boat will charter. Perhaps they have already found or desire particular brands. It likely they are not aware of just how many products are needed to complete the interior. The quality levels can be discussed for category as some people prefer designer items, others top hotel quality.

5. The budget and timeline

Its fair to say, “you pay for quality” as this is luxury yachting. However there are beautiful products for most budgets and it just depends on what products owners prefer. Luxury bedding and towelling is a given. However there are high end, exclusive and top hotel quality products depending on the budget and where the owner see value. The delivery time frame will impact costs. The faster items are required to the boat the more chasing, running around and expensive delivery fees.

6. The team and responsibilities

Outfitting a luxury yacht is joining a team. Most owners have personal assistants, office personnel, there is the yacht crew, the owners themselves, the yard and supplier network. Knowing the job allocation and how to best communicate, who can make decisions, etc is important. 

At the end of the briefing everyone should have a clear idea of the projects scope, have clear expectations and the ball can start rolling.  Products suggestions and samples can be made, orders placed so the yacht is set up ready to enjoy its first charter.