Contemporary superyachts can rarely be called collector’s items, but this German beauty has something special that makes it truly unique even among the most luxurious pleasure craft. It’s not about design innovations or disruptive performance, but about the unique style contribution by one of the most acclaimed fashion designer of our time, Virgil Abloh, a contribution that didn’t result from a formal collaboration, but happened almost by chance (or fate?).
Scott Free is an almost 20-year-old superyacht, and during this time is underwent an important transformation that was much more than a change of looks or a technical upgrade. This moment became a turning point for the German superyacht that changed its entire trajectory and even the way it will be remembered. We could say that it had two lives: the one before this moment, and the one after.
The transformation itself wasn’t a major undertaking, such as converting former commercial or military vessels into luxury superyachts, but what was meant to be a luxurious multi-million-dollar refit ended up becoming a rebranding. This rebranding was the actual turning point, and from that moment on, Scott Free became the “Virgil Abloh-rebranded superyacht” and that’s how it will always be known.
Photo: Y.CO
The most intriguing part is that what happened was virtually a fluke, not a carefully planned project. In the world of luxury pleasure craft, we sometimes see collaborations between top shipbuilders and high fashion designers. For instance, the late Giorgio Armani has worked directly with Admiral Yachts, an Italian Sea Group brand, on several yachts, including the 72.6-meter (238 feet) No Rush and Geco.
In Scott Free’s case, however, things were very different. Brokers recall how Virgil Abloh and his family vacationed onboard Scott Free, named Elysian at the time, in the summer of 2021. The designer was so impressed with the yacht that, when he learned that Elysian was due for a comprehensive refit later that year, he offered to contribute to the restyling. That is how he created the Scott Free logo that would eventually become famous.
Abloh’s logo, which is meant to combine the Scott Free initials in an ingenious way that allows them to twist and turn without losing their meaning, was meant to be reproduced extensively throughout the yacht, inside and out, and that’s how it is today. Unfortunately, this particular rebranding, which was a labor of love for Abloh, was never finalized due to the designer’s untimely passing just months after he designed this yacht logo at his Alaska Alaska studio.
Photo: Y.CO
That is how Scott Free became the only Virgil Abloh-rebranded superyacht, and what makes it even more special is that this signature logo was one of the fashion designer’s last creative endeavors, something that’s indeed worthy of a collector’s item status.
Founder of the Off-White fashion brand, and known particularly as the artistic director of menswear at Louis Vuitton, Abloh is one of the icons of American fashion. He was named “the luxury streetwear pioneer” and “the Karl Lagerfeld of his generation”.
Unlike other top fashion designers, such as Giorgio Armani and Roberto Cavalli, who are familiar names in the world of luxury yachting both due to their personal luxury toys and the ones that they designed for others, Virgil Abloh’s name in this niche is a surprise and a rarity, which is why Scott Free is such a coveted superyacht.
Photo: Y.CO
Born as Elandess and later renamed Elysian (a named derived from the Greek word for “paradise”), this German superyacht was meant for greatness from the start. Built by Abeking &Rasmussen, one of the oldest and most prestigious German shipbuilders, with roots going back to the early 20th century, it featured an exterior design Donald Starkey and interiors by Banneberg & Rowell, two other highly prestigious names in the industry.
Boasting nearly 200 feet (60 meters) in length, Elysian offered a monster interior volume of more than 1000 GT, enough to ensure the most luxurious accommodation for 12 guests across six staterooms, spacious accommodation for a large 16-person crew, and outstanding amenities throughout.
Like all German-built superyachts, Elysian also guaranteed impeccable performance and, during its original ownership, it traveled the world, completing a full circumnavigation, powered by twin 2,000hp Caterpillar engines. Elysian is made to cruise at 14 knots (26 kph) and deliver a generous range of 5,600 nautical miles (10,300 km), backed by a fuel capacity of more than 165,000 liters (43,600 gallons).
Photo: Y.CO
When the award-winning Elandess became Elysian under new ownership, it also entered the luxury charter market. Years later, a new owner was ready to invest in a considerable refit, particularly because he didn’t like some of the outdoor amenities (which were focused on sun lounging rather than al-fresco dining). Before the 2021 summer season kicked off, the Florida-based interior design firm Yacht Next, which was selected for the refit, had already started making changes.
The sky lounge was redesigned and restyled, including a new color scheme based on grey, off-white, and cognac, plus the use of artisanal Italian materials. During that summer, the famous “fluke” involving Virgil Abloh happened, with the signature rebranding that followed shortly after. In the fall of that same year, Scott Free completed its refit with its original builder, Abeking & Rasmussen.
The exterior was totally redesigned, including the addition of a brand-new beach club, the doubling in size of a foredeck seating area, and a repainted hull that went from the original dark navy to the sky blue that defines Scott Free today. The Yacht Next team, together with the naval architects from Murray and Associates tested various colors straight under the Mediterranean light and eventually went for the sky blue hull with a dark charcoal superstructure.
Photo: Y.CO
The Art Deco master suite on the main deck is one of the highlights onboard, as well as the fabulous glass-topped dining table for 12 in the main salon. A custom-built tender garage with two bespoke tenders and multiple water toys, all handled using a launching system that was specifically built by Abeking & Rasmussen, is the final touch for this upgraded vacation yacht.
Upgrades also included a new open gym, a beauty and massage room, a new artwork collection, and new AV/IT systems. The entire refit completed by 2022 is said to be worth around €12 million ($13.7 million) – a major investment that changed the face of this German superyacht, along with its unique and special Virgil Abloh rebranding that is priceless.
In 2024, Scott Free has also completed its 15-year class survey, confirming both its seaworthiness for the next decade and the reputation of a proven world cruiser that won awards and continued to get better over the years.
Photo: Y.CO
Born to be in the headlights and then turned even more special, this 2009 Abeking & Rasmussen joined the market once again in 2025. Earlier this year, brokers were announcing a €4 million ($4.6 million) price cut. Just a few months later, Scot Free was officially sold, with a last known asking price of €39,5 million ($45 million).
Even under its new ownership, this unique Virgil Abloh-rebranded superyacht will continue its successful charter activity, with dazzling rates of more than $400,000 per week in high season – a costly chance for charter customers to check out the unique Virgil Abloh logo and interior rebranding first-hand.
