Riva - the iconic wooden speedboat that's become the apotheosis of Italian design. The Best of Riva celebrates these legendary crafts.

Italian power and beauty: a Riva is the Ferrari of the seas. In fact, the two engines produce a similar sound. When it comes to glamour and style on the water, nothing is more captivating than the Aquarama. Conceived by the legendary Carlo Riva, this wooden speedboat has become an icon of Italian design. Loved for its clean lines, its mahogany, its gleaming chrome details, and its signature blue-and-cream upholstery, the Aquarama reflected the optimism of Italy’s early-1960s dolce vita. It is impossible to imagine the glittering French Riviera and the European coastlines without visions of endless summers spent lounging at the stern under the warm sun, accompanied by the gentle roar of the engine as the Aquarama sliced through the waves. The Riva icon enjoyed a legendary status and was adored by movie stars, heads of state, and members of royal families. From Brigitte Bardot to Elizabeth Taylor, from Gunter Sachs to the Monaco royal family, and countless other celebrities fell under its spell. A true embodiment of riverine elegance and la dolce vita.