Stars Light up Riva’s 180th Anniversary Gala in Venice
English football icon David Beckham and Italian actor Pierfrancesco Favino added stardust to Riva’s 180th anniversary gala in Venice. They even starred in a short film that made its debut during the glamorous evening at Gran Teatro La Fenice, where Dolce & Gabbana co-founder Domenico Dolce was also among guests.
Star Studded
Beckham, Favino and Ferrari Formula 1 driver Charles Leclerc all appeared in Riva The Persuaders!, which had its world premiere during the exclusive Venice event. The party celebrated the story of the first 180 years of one of the yachting world’s most famous brands.
Riva The Persuaders! was shot on the coast spanning Italy and France’s Côte d’Azur including Monaco, and was produced by Armando Testa Studios. It was inspired by the early 1970s action-comedy TV series, The Persuaders!, starring Roger Moore and Tony Curtis.
The gala event also marked the debut of the Riva Anniversario, which was unveiled on a floating platform on Venice’s Grand Canal in front of the Riva Lounge at the Gritti Palace.
Limited Edition
Produced in a special limited edition of just 18 boats, the Anniversario was designed to celebrate Riva’s 180th anniversary and pay tribute to the legendary Aquarama that turns 60 this year and features in a fine-art book published for the occasion by Assouline.
Alberto Galassi, CEO of Ferretti Group, said: “This was the night of Riva’s 180th anniversary and of a thousand emotions for enthusiasts of the brand and its unique boats. We chose Venice and La Fenice because they are unique places in the world and, like us, they live in magical harmony with the water, art and beauty.
“My thanks go to David Beckham, Pierfrancesco Favino and Charles Leclerc, who have shown their friendship towards Riva by contributing to a spectacular short film, one of those miracles that happen when champions are involved.
“I am also honored to introduce to the world the Anniversario, an iconic new boat, for very few lucky owners and another masterpiece of outstanding elegance. Best wishes to Riva as it starts to write boating history for the next 180 years.”
Favino also appeared in the short film Riva in the Movie, which was released in 2020 and celebrated the Ferretti Group’s brand’s connection to cinema in tandem with a 300-page book.