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Rising Sun yacht: The luxurious world of Larry Ellison and David Geffen’s nautical retreat

Rising Sun is a notable super yacht known for its size and high-profile owners. Here are some key details about the Rising Sun yacht.

Brief Overview

Rising Sun was originally built for American business magnate Larry Ellison , the co-founder of Oracle Corporation. However, Ellison later sold a significant portion of the yacht to music and film producer David Geffen. Today it is co-owned by Larry Ellison and David Geffen.

Rising Sun is approximately 454 feet (138 meters) in length, making it one of the largest yachts in the world at the time. Its impressive size allows for a wide range of amenities and luxuries.

Design and Features

The yacht boasts a stunning exterior design and a luxurious interior. It’s equipped with multiple decks, a swimming pool, a basketball court that can be converted into a helipad, and a variety of dining and entertainment spaces. The interior features opulent staterooms and lounges.

Cruising Range

Rising Sun is powered by powerful engines, which give it a a top speed of around 28 knots (about 32 mph or 52 km/h). This allows the yacht to cover vast distances on the open sea.

Part 1: Ownership of Rising Sun

Who are the notable owners of the rising sun yacht.

The Rising Sun yacht is co-owned by two prominent figures in the world of business and entertainment: Larry Ellison and David Geffen.

Who is Larry Ellison?

Larry Ellison is a renowned American entrepreneur and the co-founder of Oracle Corporation, one of the world’s leading software and cloud computing companies. With his immense success in the tech industry, Ellison has amassed substantial wealth and has used some of it to indulge in a life of luxury, including the ownership of Rising Sun.

Who is David Geffen?

David Geffen is a prominent figure in the entertainment industry. He is a music and film producer, co-founder of Asylum Records, and a co-founder of DreamWorks SKG. Geffen is known for his influence in the world of entertainment and, like Ellison, enjoys the opulent lifestyle provided by the Rising Sun yacht.

Part 2: Size, Design, and Features

How large is the rising sun yacht.

Rising Sun is a colossal super yacht, measuring approximately 454 feet (138 meters) in length. Its vast dimensions are a testament to its opulence and the array of amenities it offers.

What are the design and features of Rising Sun?

Rising Sun is an architectural marvel, featuring a stunning exterior design and an interior that exudes luxury. Onboard, guests can enjoy multiple decks, a lavish swimming pool, a basketball court that converts into a helipad, and a variety of dining and entertainment spaces. The interior is adorned with opulent staterooms and lounges, making it a floating palace on the seas.

Part 3: Cruising Range of Rising Sun

What is the cruising range of the rising sun yacht.

Thanks to its powerful engines, Rising Sun has an impressive cruising speed of approximately 28 knots, which translates to about 32 miles per hour (52 kilometers per hour). This remarkable speed allows the yacht to cover vast distances during its journeys across the ocean, providing its passengers with access to a wide range of destinations.

Part 4: Notable Guests of Rising Sun

Who are some of the notable guests who have been aboard rising sun.

Rising Sun has been a favored choice for hosting celebrities and high-profile events. Some of the notable guests who have had the privilege of experiencing the yacht’s luxury include:

• Oprah Winfrey : The iconic talk show host and media mogul has been spotted aboard Rising Sun, enjoying the yacht’s lavish amenities.
• Steven Spielberg : The renowned filmmaker and director has also graced the decks of Rising Sun, adding a touch of Hollywood glamour to its guest list.
• Tom Hanks : The beloved actor Tom Hanks has enjoyed the yacht’s hospitality during his time on the open seas.
• Bruce Springsteen : The rock legend Bruce Springsteen is another famous personality who has been a guest aboard Rising Sun, making his voyages truly unforgettable.

What makes Rising Sun a preferred choice for such guests?

Rising Sun’s opulent interior, world-class amenities, and exceptional service make it a sought-after destination for celebrities and high-profile individuals. Its spacious decks and luxurious accommodations provide the perfect backdrop for relaxation and entertainment, ensuring that every voyage is a memorable experience for its guests.

In conclusion, the Rising Sun yacht, co-owned by Larry Ellison and David Geffen, represents the epitome of luxury on the high seas. With its impressive size, breathtaking design, remarkable cruising range, and a list of notable guests that includes some of the biggest names in entertainment and business, it continues to be a symbol of opulence and indulgence in the world of super yachts. Whether you’re interested in its ownership, design, or the celebrities who have graced its decks, the Rising Sun yacht is a true icon of maritime luxury.

Technical specifications and additional details about the Rising Sun yacht

Length: Approximately 454 feet (138 meters)

Rising Sun has a steel hull and aluminum superstructure with a beam of 18.5m (60.70ft) and a 5m (16.40ft) draft.

Estimated to be around 7,500 tons

Cruising Speed: Approximately 28 knots (32 mph or 52 km/h)

Maximum Speed: Around 30 knots (34.5 mph or 55.5 km/h)

Crew Members

The Rising Sun yacht typically employs a large crew to ensure top-notch service and maintenance. The exact number can vary but may range from around 45 to 55 crew members, including officers, chefs, stewards, and technical staff.

Positions of Crew Members

The crew members on Rising Sun are organized into various departments, including deck, engineering, interior, and more. Specific positions can include captain, first officer, stewardesses, engineers, deckhands, and chefs, among others.

Number of Rooms

Rising Sun boasts an impressive number of rooms and accommodations, including numerous staterooms and suites for guests. While the exact count can vary, it typically offers accommodations for around 16 to 18 guests.

Other Amenities

Rising Sun offers a wide range of luxurious amenities, including:

• Multiple dining areas for formal and casual dining experiences.
• A stunning swimming pool with jacuzzi features on the deck.
• A basketball court that can be converted into a helipad.
• A dedicated cinema room for entertainment.
• An on-deck bar for social gatherings.
• A gymnasium and spa facilities for guests to relax and stay active during their voyage.
• A high-quality audio-visual entertainment system throughout the yacht.
• A library and study area for quiet moments.

Support Vehicles

Super yachts like Rising Sun often come equipped with support vessels, such as smaller boats and jet skis, for various recreational activities and transportation to and from shore.

Additional Information

• Rising Sun is equipped with state-of-the-art navigation and communication systems to ensure safety and efficient travel.
• The yacht’s interior is designed with opulent materials, including marble and rare woods, adding to its luxurious atmosphere.
• It has a range of environmental and sustainability features, including advanced waste management and energy-efficient systems.

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RISING SUN Yacht – Exceptional $400M Superyacht

RISING SUN yacht is currently the 16th largest motor yacht in the world at a length of 138.6 meters (454 ft).

She was built by Luerssen in Bremen, Germany, and launched in June of 2004.

RISING SUN yacht interior

The interior of the RISING SUN yacht was styled by Seccombe Design, a small and highly specialized design company. The 138.6 meter-long vessel was their largest project to date. She was last refitted in 2011 and fully updated to fit modern standards. The interior of RISING SUN is classically styled with lots of dark elements and wooden features.

She comes with a gym, a grand piano, multiple swimming pools, a beauty salon, and a spa which includes a sauna.

Sixteen guests can be welcomed aboard the super yacht’s eight suites. A further 45 crew members find space in 30 cabins below the deck.

Specifications

The RISING SUN yacht is powered by four MTU engines which allow her to reach top speeds of up to 30 knots although her cruising speed lies at 26 knots.

She was built by Luerssen , one of the most famous shipyards for luxury yachts in the world. Her total volume lies at 7841 tons making her one of the largest motor yachts in the world not only by length but also weight.

Her beam measures 19 meters (62.4 ft) and her draft is 4.85 meters (15.1 ft). The built-in at-anchor stabilizers allow her guests to be comfortable even during rough seas.

The exterior of the RISING SUN yacht was developed by the superyacht designers Bannenberg & Rowell.

Dickie Baneberg’s father was one of the most legendary designers of all time in the industry, sometimes even called the father of yacht design.

His son is continuing his legacy and elements of Jon Bannenberg’s style can still be recognized in this work. With her many separate windows RISING SUN almost looks like a small cruise ship.

She is all-white, in classical yacht design with a steel hull and aluminum superstructure. In addition to her covered decks, she features a large open-air space at the bow as well as one at the aft of the vessel.

The RISING SUN yacht originally cost an estimated US $200 million when she was launched in 2004. However, due to refits and sales RISING SUN is now valued at a price of US $570 million.

Her annual running costs lie somewhere between US $25 and 40 million.

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RISING SUN is a 138-metre luxury yacht. She was built by Lürssen in 2004 and was designed by the late and legendary Jon Bannenberg whom Lürssen did not only build the first large yacht with but also this, his last project. The most outstanding characteristic of RISING SUN are the large window panels, the planning of which prompted a worldwide material search. The specially constructed glass panels were coated with a particular heat-insulating foil allowing the required energy for air-conditioning to be lowered significantly and thereby reducing emissions substantially. RISING SUN has also been equipped with customised soot particle filters to clean exhaust fumes efficiently. She is powered by of 12230 hp engines allowing her reach a maximum speed of 28 knots and a cruising speed of 26 knots.

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Rising Sun Specifications

• Name Rising Sun
• Model Custom
• Flag Cayman Islands
• Hull NB 13623
• Hull Colour -
• Naval Architect Lurssen Yachts
• Exterior Designer Jon Bannenberg
• Interior Designer Seccombe Design
• Length Overall 138.4m
• Length at Waterline -
• Draft (min) -
• Draft (max) 5.0m
• Gross Tonnage -
• Cabins Total -
• Hull Configuration -
• Hull Material Steel
• Superstructure -
• Deck Material Teak
• Fuel Type Diesel
• Manufacturer MTU
• Model 20V 8000 M90
• Power 12230 hp / 9000 kW
• Total Power 12230 hp / 9000 kW
• Propulsion Quadruple Screw
• Max Speed 28 Kn
• Cruising Speed 26 Kn
• Fuel Capacity -
• Water Capacity -
• Generator -
• Stabilizers -
• Thrusters -
• Amenities -
• Yacht Builder Lurssen Yachts View profile
• Naval Architect Lurssen Yachts View profile
• Exterior Designer Jon Bannenberg No profile available
• Interior Designer Seccombe Design No profile available

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David Geffen’s Yacht: Everything You Want To Know

David Geffen is a businessman most famous for his work running record labels and a film studio. His net worth is estimated at around $7.7 billion and he’s also been the owner of one of the world’s largest yachts for some years now. He owns a second yacht as well, one called Pelorus that clocks in at 115 meters in length. That means Geffen is the owner of at least two megayachts

What is David Geffen’s Yacht Called?

Geffen named his yacht the Rising Sun and it was built back in 2004 and then refitted in 2007. The yacht was originally built by German yacht maker Lurssen and originally it belonged to Oracle founder Larry Ellison, but Geffen purchased it in 2010. Word is that Ellison thought it was just too big and ended up buying a smaller yacht that he felt was more manageable. That said, Geffen apparently owned a percentage share of the yacht since 2006.

How Big is the Rising Sun?

With a gross tonnage of 7,841 GT, the yacht is not as heavy as you might think for one of its size. The Rising Sun length clocks in at just under 453 feet with a beam of 60.7 feet. The yacht features a steel hull with an aluminum superstructure. It ranks as one of the largest yachts in the world .

How Much Did David Geffen Pay for the Rising Sun Yacht?

It’s been reported that Geffen paid Ellison a staggering $590 million for the Rising Sun however other reports suggest the vessel was $200 million. Given the size of the yacht and the time it was built plus various amenities it seems more likely the true price is closer to $200 million. That’s speculation and also some educated guessing as a $590 million motor yacht sale in 2010 would likely have raised more flags in the media. It would make the Rising Sun one of the most expensive yachts ever, and that’s simply never been claimed by many sources.

The value of the luxury yacht has been speculated to currently be between $300 million and $400 million after various refits and upgrades that have been added over the years. Despite the cost there is no yacht charter available to offset that for Geffen.

How Fast is the Rising Sun Yacht?

The Rising sun has a maximum speed of 28 knots and a cruising speed of 16 knots. This is achieved by 4 MTU 20V 8000 M90 diesel engines producing 48,000 hp.

What’s the Interior of the Rising Sun Like?

A crew of 45 is needed to keep the Rising Sun operating and that includes taking care of the up to 18 guests in 9 staterooms. That includes one master suite and then 8 double suites. 

Geffen has numerous amenities on board to ensure a luxurious stay for guests who, in the past, have included people like Tom Hanks, Barack and Michelle Obama, Mariah Carey and even Jeff Bezos and Oprah Winfrey. For a short time there were stories that this was, in fact, Oprah’s yacht because she had been spotted on board in 2013 when she was on holiday. However, she was just borrowing the yacht and does not own a yacht of her own.

There is both a sauna and a beauty salon on board as well as a large swimming pool and an elevator to travel between the five decks. There are 8,000 square meters of living space available between those decks which include teak decks and bathrooms finished in onyx.

The top deck of the yacht serves as a master suit and features a double sized cinema screen. The layout has been described as being like the pit of an avocado, meaning the movie screen is embedded in the wall in a way that creates an archway that can be traveled around it. A normal sized theater exists elsewhere on the yacht for the rest of the passengers to enjoy.

In addition to movies, there’s also a full size basketball court on board if anyone is looking to get into a game. The court also doubles as a helicopter landing pad. Of course there’s a well-equipped gym for working out as well. When it’s time to relax, the yacht features its own fully stocked wine cellar. 

Unfortunately, Geffen has not welcomed media onto the yacht so images of the interior are few and far between. As you can imagine, he’s a man who enjoys his privacy and doesn’t want to share his space very openly. In fact, mentioning it has backfired on him in the past.

Back in 2020, sometimes after he was spotted refueling at Sea Fuels Marine in New Bedford, Geffen made an Instagram post about how he was self-isolating on his yacht in the Grenadines during Covid. The post went over poorly with people pointing out it was a little tone deaf to the average person who doesn’t have a multi-million dollar yacht to escape on. He deactivated his Instagram shortly thereafter. 

The Bottom Line

David Geffen is a billionaire businessman known for is work in the music industry such as running Geffen Records and Asylum Records. His superyacht Rising Sun was built for $200 million though it’s been reported he paid as much as $590 million for it. The yacht is one of the largest luxury yachts in the world at 453 feet and features many amenities including a massive, double sized cinema screen, a basketball court, and a large pool.  The motor yacht is a notorious hot spot for celebrity visitors that range from Paul McCartney to Bruce Springsteen to Chris Rock, Leonardo DiCaprio and Katy Perry among many others.

My grandfather first took me fishing when I was too young to actually hold up a rod on my own. As an avid camper, hiker, and nature enthusiast I'm always looking for a new adventure.

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A Closer Look at the $200 Million Rising Sun Superyacht

There are a few different categories of yachts in the world. As a yacht enthusiast you might hear a few different terms being thrown around in the descriptions, such as Super yacht up to 100 feet in length or Mega yacht up to 300 feet. These are the larger water craft and there is even a giga yacht which are those that are over 300 feet in length. With this in mind, the Rising Sun, which is often referred to as a Super yacht far exceeds the parameters set for the classification, so if we’re going to be particular about the classification, we’d call it a Giga yacht. However it’s categorized, the Rising Sun is one of the most amazing private yachts afloat and we’re going to take a closer look at the features which make this multi-million dollar ship so special.

Rising Sun Yacht built by Lurssen: A Celebrity Choice

This yacht has hosted some of the most celebrated personalities in the film and record industry as well as the political arena. Barack and Michelle Obama were seen vacationing on the Rising Sun in 2017, and it’s also hosted Hollywood stars including Oprah Winfrey , Julia Roberts , Leonardo DeCaprio, Tom Hanks and others. The co-founder of Dreamworks, film producer and record executive David Geffen is the owner of the Rising Sun, which ranks as the 9th largest yacht in the world, currently. Depending on which source you consult, the cost to build this giant is estimated to be $200 million and some have it as high as $400 million but we believe that the base cost was the latter and the extra figures come from upgrades .

The history of the Rising Sun

The Rising Sun is the commissioned craft of its first owner Larry Ellison, who partnered with David Geffen and is the current CEO of the Oracle Corporation. He ordered the building of the ship from the German shipbuilding company Lürssen . The Rising Sun is the design of Jon Bannenberg, who has since passed away. The ship was delivered to Mr. Ellison in 2004, who shared ownership with David Geffen until 2010, when he decided that it was too large, so he sold his share to Geffen, who is now the sole owner of the yacht and Ellison bought a smaller yacht.

Specifications and details

The Rising Sun yacht is constructed of a strong aluminum superstructure with a displacement steel hull and teak decks, in accordance with Germanischer Lloyd classification society rules. The ship requires 4 MTU 12,061 horsepower diesel engines to propel it though the water. The average cruising speed is 26 knots and the top speed of the ship is 30 knots. To make the yacht more comfortable and safe in rough waters, it is fitted with zero speed stabilizers for times when she is at anchor. The Rising Sun measures 453.97 ft in length with a 62.34 ft beam, a draft of 16.08 ft and gross tonnage of 7841 tons. The exterior was designed by Bannenberg & Rowel and the interior by Seccombe Design. It was built by Lurssen and refit in 2004 and 2011. At the time of the sale it was the 6th largest yacht in the world, but other new superyachts have displaced it to the 9th position.

Luxury amenities

It takes a crew of 45 to maintain and operate this massive vessel and they are housed in 30 cabins. The guests are housed in 8 cabins which can accommodate between 16 and 18 guests comfortably. The yacht has been designed with more than 8,000m² of living space, allowing for larger gathering areas as well as plenty of places to find privacy from the crowd of guests. There are a total of five decks with 82 rooms aboard the yacht. Some of the luxury amenities include a spa and gym so guests don’t need to miss out on their daily workout routines. The Rising Sun is also quipped with a lift/elevator to take guests between the five decks. For practicality so guests/owners can come and go from any location, there is also a helipad on board. For fun in the sun there is a swimming pool as well as underwater lights for excellent illumination, and a sauna for relaxation. The ship also features air conditioning throughout the 82 rooms so guests can achieve the optimal room temperatures, even on hot days at sea, and there is also a Tender Garage, as well as a Cinema large enough to accommodate all guests for entertainment.

Final thoughts

The Rising Sun has only had two owners since it was built in 2004. Co-owners Larry Ellison and David Geffen shared it for a period of time, then Ellison sold his share to Geffen who is now the sole owner. The yacht was once the sixth largest yacht in the world, but is still considered a wonder coming in at ninth place. It’s packed to the hilt with luxury amenities and there is plenty of space aboard with five decks and 82 rooms. The ship which cost $200 million to build is now valued somewhere between $3 and $4 million, and it has only increased in value with the passage of time and no doubt numerous upgrades to suit the preferences of the owner. It’s served as the vessel that provides a source of recreation for some of the most famous people in the world including some of our most beloved Hollywood stars and even a former president and first lady. The Rising Sun is truly one of the most magnificent yachts that has ever been created, and those who are fortunate enough to be invited on board are in for a top notch luxury experience.

Dana has extensive professional writing experience including technical and report writing, informational articles, persuasive articles, contrast and comparison, grant applications, and advertisement. She also enjoys creative writing, content writing on nearly any topic (particularly business and lifestyle), because as a lifelong learner, she loves to do research and possess a high skill level in this area. Her academic degrees include AA social Sci/BA English/MEd Adult Ed & Community & Human Resource Development and ABD in PhD studies in Indust & Org Psychology.

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RISING SUN is a 138.0 m Motor Yacht, built in Germany by Lurssen and delivered in 2004.

Her top speed is 28.0 kn and her cruising speed is 26.0 kn and her power comes from four MTU diesel engines. She can accommodate up to 18 guests, with 45 crew members. She has a gross tonnage of 7841.0 GT and a 19.0 m beam.

She was designed by Jon Bannenberg Ltd. , who has designed 40 other superyachts in the BOAT Pro database.

The naval architecture was developed by Lurssen , who has architected 71 other superyachts in the BOAT Pro database, and the interior of the yacht was designed by Laura Seccombe - she is built with a Teak deck, a Steel hull, and Aluminium superstructure.

RISING SUN is in the top 5% by LOA and in the top 30% by speed in the world. She is one of 70 motor yachts longer than 100m, and, compared to similarly sized motor yachts, her cruising speed is 10.09 kn above the average, her top speed 8.3 kn above the average, and her volume 703.92 GT above the average.

RISING SUN is currently sailing under the Cayman Islands flag, the 2nd most popular flag state for superyachts with a total of 1411 yachts registered. She is known to be an active superyacht and has most recently been spotted cruising near Germany. For more information regarding RISING SUN's movements, find out more about BOATPro AIS .

Specifications

• Name: RISING SUN
• Yacht Type: Motor Yacht
• Yacht Subtype: Displacement
• Builder: Lurssen
• Naval Architect: Lurssen
• Exterior Designer: Jon Bannenberg Ltd.
• Interior Designer: Laura Seccombe
• Refits: 2019,2021,2022

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Ultra-luxury £150million superyacht inspired by a SHARK up for sale with ‘flying’ viewing deck & glass swimming pool

• Vera Demertzis
• Published : 10:08, 26 Sep 2024
• Updated : 14:15, 26 Sep 2024

AN ULTRA-luxury superyacht inspired by a hammerhead shark could be yours for £150 million.

A state-of-the-art Feadship Concept C features a "flying" viewing deck where shipmates can recreate the iconic Titanic pose like Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio .

The eco-friendly superyacht boasts an infinity pool , a spa, a gym, a bar and a fancy seating area that can move to different levels at the touch of a button.

There are two main staterooms, each with bathrooms, dressing rooms, and sitting rooms.

Guests can also choose from five double bedrooms, while there are nine rooms for staff.

The 246 ft, three-storey yacht is electric but can still travel at 19 knots - 20mph.

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A Feadship spokesperson said: "Additional electrical power will be generated by one pair of narrow wave-actuated fins that fold out from the hull aft of the anchors.

"Extending horizontally from the hull, the look, if imagined from above, would be like the outline of a hammerhead shark.

"The fins are connected to permanent magnet rotors that create DC electrical energy directly to the micro-DC grid onboard."

The luxury vessel has re-imagined the way people travel between floors, making it more seamless.

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The Feadship spokesperson added: "Imagine being transported between decks without stepping into the confines of an elevator.

"No matter how nicely decorated, an elevator creates a disconnect from one floor to the next .

"C introduces a seamless transition between the decks via a dramatic central court that keeps them visually and literally connected like a three-dimensional chess board.

"Instead of stepping into an isolated lift capsule, at the touch of a button a neat, hexagon shaped seating area gently moves to deposit you seamlessly at your desired level with no break in the conversation.

"The lifting mechanism can also swivel 180 degrees to accommodate the split-level decks and place passengers nearer their destination.

"Take it to the top and the skylight automatically opens revealing a private crow’s nest. It sounds like a movie special effect, but it’s possible."

Senior designer Ruud Bakker was inspired by the Amsterdam diamond cutting workshop of Gassan Diamonds.

The stunning glass design comes from a study of diamonds and how they spread light.

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The spokesperson added: "Also inspiring were examples of cutting-edge architecture with zero boundary facades blurring the line between indoors and out.

"The designers used these concepts to amplify guest contact with the sea, a relationship that owners note sadly tends to fade as yachts get larger."

World's biggest superyachts

Every year, shipyards from around the world push the boundaries of superyacht design to deliver bigger and better yachts.

Check out the top five world's biggest superyachts below:

• Azzam Length: 590ft Built in 2013 , Germany the behemoth was reportedly built for Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahyan of Abu Dhabi’s royal family, for use as a dayboat to reach his favourite diving grounds.  On board features include a gym, pool and a special ‘golf training room’.
• Eclipse Length: 531ft Managed by Blue Ocean Yacht Management, Eclipse features a dramatic exterior styling and a stunning interior design. The deck areas include a 16 metre swimming pool which can be transformed into a dance floor. The yacht can also accommodate three helicopters.
• Dubai Length: 528ft The aptly named Dubai  is the royal yacht of Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum of Dubai. It is designed for 24 guests and comprises an owner’s suite, five VIP suites and six guest suites, all with open balconies. Special features include a 21.3m-wide atrium, a swimming pool, barbecue area, cinema, disco and landing platform for a Blackhawk helicopter.
• Blue Length: 518ft The superyacht has classic exterior lines with a sharply raked bow and gentle curves to the deep overhangs of the decks. The main helipad is positioned on the bow, with a smaller one aft. The boat also a pool under cover on the main deck, a bathing platform and twin balconies flanking the owner’s cabin forward.
• Dilbar Length: 511ft She is usually spotted cruising around the South of France, northern Spain and sometimes Cyprus and is owned by Uzbekistani billionaire Alisher Usmanov. The superyacht includes a swimming pool and can accommodate up to 24 guests. She also has two helipads, 3,800 square metres of living space and an expansive garden.

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Russia downs over 100 Ukrainian drones in one of the largest barrages of the war

Russia ukraine war.

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — More than 100 Ukrainian drones were shot down over Russia Sunday, officials said, sparking a wildfire and setting an apartment block alight in one of the largest barrages seen over Russian skies since Moscow invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

Russia’s Ministry of Defense reported that it had shot down 125 drones overnight across seven regions. The southwestern region of Volgograd came under particularly heavy fire, with 67 Ukrainian drones reportedly downed by Russian air defenses.

Seventeen drones were also seen over Russia’s Voronezh region, where falling debris damaged an apartment block and a private home, said Gov. Aleksandr Gusev. Images on social media showed flames rising from the windows of the top floor of a high-rise building. No casualties were reported.

A further 18 drones were reported over Russia’s Rostov region, where falling debris sparked a wildfire, said Gov. Vasily Golubev.

He said that the fire did not pose a threat to populated areas, but that emergency services were fighting to extinguish the blaze, which had engulfed 20 hectares (49.4 acres) of forest.

Russian ground assault warnings

Elsewhere, 16 civilians were injured in an overnight barrage on the southern Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia after Ukrainian military leaders warned that Moscow could be preparing for a new military offensive in the country’s south.

The city was targeted by Russian guide bombs in 10 separate attacks that damaged a high-rise building and several residential homes, regional Gov. Ivan Fedorov wrote on his official Telegram channel. More people could still be trapped beneath the rubble, he said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also said that the Zaporizhzhia attack had damaged the city's transport links. “Today, Russia struck Zaporizhzhia with aerial bombs. Ordinary residential buildings were damaged and the entrance of one building was destroyed. The city’s infrastructure and railway were also damaged,” Zelenskyy said in a post on X.

The Ukrainian leader appeared Sunday at a memorial service to make the 83rd anniversary of the Babyn Yar massacre, one of the most infamous mass slaughters of World War II.

Babyn Yar, a ravine in the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, is where nearly 34,000 Jews were killed within 48 hours in 1941 when the city was under Nazi occupation.

“Babyn Yar is vivid proof of the atrocities that regimes are capable of when led by leaders who rely on intimidation and violence. At any time, they are no different,” Zelenskyy said in a statement. “But the world’s response should be different. This is the lesson the world should have learned. We must guard humanity, life, and justice.”

The Ukrainian military warned Saturday that Russian forces may be preparing for offensive operations in the wider Zaporizhzhia region. Vladyslav Voloshyn, spokesperson for Ukraine’s southern military command, said that Russia was amassing personnel in this direction.

Ukraine’s air force also reported that 22 Russian drones were launched over the country overnight. It said that 15 were shot down in Ukraine’s Sumy, Vinnytsia, Mykolaiv, and Odesa regions, and that five more were destroyed using electronic defenses. The fate of the remaining two drones was not specified. ___

Follow AP’s coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine

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An Affair Called Valentino

“An Affair Called Valentino,” by Joan Juliet Buck, was originally published in the March 1985 issue of Vogue.

For more of the best from Vogue’ s archive, sign up for our Nostalgia newsletter here .

"Everything is made to attract, seduce, entrance": there are, in fact, no woebegone fashion chapters in the success—or style—that's Valentino. At the top of his form, at a time when good form easily encompasses softly flirtatious, wholly feminine dressing, this Rome-based designer shows among the gilded ranks of couture makers in Paris, dresses a fiercely loyal following of internationals, brings to the world—with men's, children's, ready-to-wear, accessory, and Valentino Night collection—sure style, an all-of-a-piece look, a seemingly pervasive taste for the letter "V." Valentino, orchestrator—and charmingly!

The music that accompanies every Valentino show and has become the designer's signature tune is a short piece named, with absolute accuracy, "Soul Coaxing." The first time I heard it, years ago in Rome during the rehearsal for the couture showing, it summoned up an arbitrary but pleasant illusion that I was drifting in a canoe down a small river over which hung boughs of jasmine and gardenia. The buoyant and seductive tune was soothing, a little narcotic. The couches in the main showroom of the Via Gregoriana couture house (no little gold chairs for Valentino) were then beige and white, deep and soft. At the third or fourth hour of rehearsal, the privileged professionals who were there to watch and pay attention no longer sat, they basked, passive and beatific like lizards in the sun. Valentino Garavani himself is not unlike his little tune.

The total look, impeccable finish, and—the strongest theme in this collection—the unique sweater dressing. Here, a wonderful Valentino suit variation: jacket, a ribbed navy cashmere/wool cardigan with rows of pearly buttons, a beautiful navy and white silk blouse, narrow navy wool skirt, and navy cardigan coat with a hood—another key theme.

At that point, ten years ago, Valentino was only the foremost Italian couturier, with an atmosphere of expensive and racy style about him, past triumphs that included a famous all-white collection and the dress Jacqueline Kennedy wore to marry Aristotle Onassis. His client list was made up of the rich, the famous, the crowned heads of Europe and the Middle East. The vast hypnotic showroom seemed to me then to be full of the dangerous enchantments of vanity and greed, both of which were in temporary disrepute. I could not approve of what Valentino stood for (how one chooses to approve when one is very young!), but I could not help being touched by the man's shyness, his authentic warmth. We spoke in French, and his Italian accent curled the words into cautious calligraphy, roped in flourishes. I spent one weekend in his Capri house, surrounded by handsome international people of all sexes who wore jeans and gold bracelets. They said such things as: "You should wear smaller bikinis." The sheets on my bed were ironed every night by the maids. We young guests pooled together to tip the staff, and on the boat back to Naples realized with horror that we had tipped the wrong set of maids and butlers; the untipped contingent sat facing us tight-lipped.

Today, one can say that Valentino has an empire, or—a designer's identification with his product being complete—that he is an empire. Eight years ago, he began showing his ready-to-wear in Paris where he is now a respected member of the Chambre Syndicate de la Couture. His total business comes to $150 million a year. To the houses in Rome and Capri he has added a chalet in Gstaad, a yacht, and a New York City apartment. At a dinner party Valentino gave in New York this winter, I asked the richest man in Venezuela how he and Valentino had become friends. "We are fellow tycoons," said the richest man in Venezuela.

One sees designers edit their surroundings, alter their lives (to paraphrase Lillian Hellman on a very different subject) to suit this year's clothes. Ten years after I first knew him, Valentino is essentially the same, down to the Cartier love bracelet on his wrist. Where others reshape and discard, he adds. Last summer, at his open-air couture showing in the Piazza Mignanelli, he celebrated the twenty-five years of his couture house and received a prize from Italy's Minister of Industry. The collection was comprised of all of Valentino's favorite looks; this year's novelty was the presence of three New York graffiti artists spraying a huge revolving sculpture with a "V" and a "25." "He has changed the image of Italy throughout the world," said the announcer as Valentino received the prize.

Taste, image, money: in the careers of designers, the first creates the second, which brings in the third. Valentino's clothes do not carry messages. They are knowingly crafted to make women pretty and sexy. Women of all ages wiggle their hips in Valentino clothes and look like girls.

At Valentino, key ideas are always built upon throughout a collection. Case in point: his new sweater dressing—totally worked out, with an inherent appealing sense of ease. Symbolic of that dressing for day, his hooded and striped cashmere blouson as the softest “suit” jacket, over an exquisite blouse; tweedy to-the-knee skirt; and touches of Valentino red.

As a boy in Voghera, a small town south of Milan in the Lombardy plain, Valentino drew dresses in his school books. At the age of six, with a raging fever, he persuaded his mother to wrap him in a blanket and carry him to see a cousin dressed up for a ball. The dress, he recalls, was pink tulle. He also remembers a black charmeuse one-shoulder dress worn by his cousin Lucia and cousin Rina's mauve dress that she wore to the races: "She wore navy-blue suede shoes with it and a mauve felt hat with a navy taffeta bow." Valentino's pale-green eyes light up with the memory.

The next day I watch him choose fabrics in his studio. "Pale pink and watermelon," he says to the man from Taroni, as assistants peer helpfully over the table, "and coral, peau d'ange, mandarin, and mauve—and navy blue." Fabric samples fall on the table with the slitting sounds of torn silk. His hands touch the fabrics before he glances down. Occasionally an assistant's fingertips reach for a shining half-yard, but he has already muttered "no" and the swatch is bunched with other rejects by the window. He knows what he wants.

Valentino's clothes are not cerebral; and their creation, it seems, is based on unconscious memory, strong technique, an appetite for sensual gratification. The next appointment after the Taroni man is the embroidery man from Paris. There ensues a confrontation between the free-floating fantasy of the Italian and the logical approach of the Frenchman. "I have ideas to give you," says Valentino. "And I bring you techniques," says M. Lesage. "First," says Valentino, bringing a young woman forward, "this is Marina, who is getting married. I want a flower to put on her dress." Marina, who works in the studio, blushes a little. A calla lily is discussed, a rose is decided upon.

On to couture business: embroidered mosaics richer than Ravenna's fall on the table. "Too heavy," says Valentino. "You can only make a cardigan, and then the woman has to take it off. No good for summer.'' A linen guipure would be good. "But not stiff," says Valentino. "Gold," he continues, "coral, diamonds, on white linen . . . sublime."

On to flora: anthurium, philodendron, dahlia, pink camellias with lily of the valley, arum lilies, white gardenias, mauve orchids . . .a moment's doubt. M. Lesage advances that the orchid is a sick-looking flower. "Fine, get rid of it," says Valentino. M. Lesage looks at his list. "What size flowers, where are they to go, on what kind of dresses?" he asks. "You make them, I'll decide where to put them," Valentino says.

The elegant Suzy Gandini is next, unfurling her fabrics on the white table. Then, two men from a lesser firm, who look for flowers to print in the big botany book that is every designer's staple. "I wish I had someone really good to draw the flowers I want," says Valentino. He tends to conjure everything himself.

A different look to the sweater dressing, a theme that continues strongly for late day/evening. Here, his elongated tank-top sweater tunic, piped in navy, over a navy linen skirt. And the coat as a soft sweater—hooded cashmere/wool in reversing windowpanes.

At seventeen, he left Voghera and went to Paris, where he got a job sketching at Jean Desses. (One night ten years ago I wore a 1951 Desses dress of my mother's. Valentino recognized it with some emotion. "I worked on that dress," he said.) He went on to Guy Laroche and in 1958 returned to Italy. In 1959, with some money from his father, he started his couture house in Rome. Giancarlo Giammetti, then twenty-two and studying architecture, met him and joined him in 1960.

"We took an apartment at 54 Via Gregoriana and turned it into a showroom. We were young and new and took risks," explained Giammetti. "We went to show in Florence, where we were given the last time slot on the last day. Luckily the buyers had heard of Valentino, and they waited. Our first Roman customer was Contessa Acquarone, who ordered an entire wardrobe for the Olympic games. She was later indicted for murdering her husband. Elizabeth Taylor was filming Cleopatra; Valentino's first magazine cover was of Taylor in a white pleated dress. She came at four in the afternoon for a 9:00 a.m. appointment and stopped the show we had that day.'' There is a great deal of chaos in Giammetti's stories of the early years. "We did it in a very Italian way, improvising from nothing. There are no fashion archives in Rome to pillage for accessory ideas: a gentleman comes to you empty-handed and you have to explain what you want. Everything was easy before we were successful. We always spent a lot of money, everyone wanted to work with us—fun new girls and boys, friends' daughters." Those whom Giammetti calls the "papillons" floated off to husbands or new lands, while the base of the house—cutters and atelier heads, premieres and drapers, have remained essentially the same for over twenty years. Daniela Giardina, who heads up publicity and advertising, has been with them for thirteen years. Instead of leaving, she had a baby, Andrea, about whom both Valentino and Giancarlo grow misty.

The house on the Appia has changed very little. The white linen runner is laid fresh on the stairs every morning, the screening room still has blinds with orange trees on them. The collection of Chinese cloisonne birds is still massed by the jade and coral trees in cloisonne cachepots, the Boteros are still in the study, which has however become Napoleon III where it once was Moorish. Mongiardino's velvet chairs with central strips of tapestry echo the Botero women's curves. The chimney in the living room is still a pyramid, with alert palm trees on either side. Objects and paintings have been added, in generous profusion, but no new passion eliminates an old one. Valentino is oddly faithful for a designer: old whims are treasured along with new discoveries. Rather than discard, he embraces more and more, and extends the reach of his affections. The pink flamingoes are no longer in the garden. They were the particular concern of Valentino's late mother, who personally performed an autopsy on a defunct flamingo when she suspected foul play.

He is solid, slow-moving, often abstracted; instinct says he is reliable. The contrast between the partners is sharp. Where Valentino hesitates, thinks, answers slowly, warms to an anecdote from the far past, Giammetti declares, retracts, his dark eyes confidential and suspicious at once, clinging to the moment with a torrent of words in three languages. "Giancarlo is the oddest mixture of intelligence and naivete," says a friend of theirs.

Valentino evenings…unmistakable for their luxury, their femininity, and, increasingly, for their all-out body consciousness—the line, the shape as demanding as a maillot, and just as revealing. Perfect example, starting with his evening sweater dressing: a bare silk knit tank top, cross-strapped in back, tucked into a long, sinuous dotted silk skirt, with silk brocade embroidery, a Valentino-red belt at the waist.

Valentino works in an all-white studio, where every piece of paper and cloth is in motion, from table to atelier. In between this room and Giammetti's office is a large room full of noble clutter. "Don't look," says Giammetti. "It's all being changed.'' His own office is dark, bristling with patterns and recorders, cassettes, bibelots, businesslike things sheathed in leather or brass.

The designer recollects and invents, somewhat out of time; the businessman is surrounded by dailies, weeklies, monthlies.

"Valentino gets better and more sure of him- self all the time," says Giammetti. "He is serene, I get more anxious. Every day in Italy, there are six thousand people working on Valentino products. I worry about the organization, the running of everything."

Earlier, in the white studio, Valentino had confided: "Big success makes me anxious. I never want to disappoint. I work so hard in Rome that I couldn't get through, psychologically, unless I took weekends off. I have to be happy with my way of life. I'm lucky not to be tormented, to be able to enjoy weekends, skiing holidays, the boat, flowers."

"He is not the artist who wants to live with genius and madness," says Giammetti. "He's wise; he knows that at fifty you can't do what you did at thirty. It's not a problem of getting sick, collapsing, and dying; it's the problem of perpetuating the business without its being a weight." It is Giammetti's determination that turned Valentino into an empire. He is forty-six, Valentino is fifty-two. There is hardly an end in sight.

The turning point for Valentino came when Mendes, a Paris firm, began making his ready- to-wear collection in 1974. By 1977, he was showing among the French designers, and something happened to the Valentino look. What had previously been soft and feminine, excessive and delightful but free-form, became sharpened by the competition into the identifiable style that is Valentino today. The shoulders of both couture and ready-to-wear garments bear pads so delineated that they resemble falsies, rising from the shoulder and curving back into the arm. Instantly recognizable, they set the confident and pretty Valentino look. The clothes themselves are now made by the Torinese firm GFT (which also manufactures Armani's ready-to-wear), and the workmanship standard is high. Along with the two yearly couture collections, the two ready-to-wear ones, two men's collections, two knitwear collections, and two each of a cheaper "Miss V" line, a children's line, children's knits, bathing suits, leather, jewelry, shoes, and bags are tennis clothes, skiwear, and two collections called "Night." These are solely evening clothes with the provocative thrust and slink of shoulders and drapery. The linings of accompanying evening bags are always red. The shoes, which are designed by Valentino directly on wooden foot forms, have high, sexy heels. Everything is made to attract, seduce, entrance; the word "flirt" comes to mind.

Giammetti, having launched himself on a discussion of other designers, says he thinks it is brilliant that Chanel has chosen Ines de la Fressange to be its permanent model, and that Saint Laurent repeats the same hat. "With Valentino, it's more the spirit that doesn't change—long legs, small hips, small breasts, long neck, small wrists and ankles." He is describing the kind of girl drawn in the margins of school books. But over this adolescent ideal are Valentino's dreams of glamour and memories of the glamorous nights of adult cousins and something else: "Valentino has superstitions that became status symbols," says Giammetti. "He did red once, and now you have red in every collection. Do you think Valentino believes the color has to be in every collection because he loves red or because it's lucky? We imposed initials on clothes, but I can' t tell you if a little " V " on a polo shirt is for good luck or a statement. People react to things in a way different from the way you created them. Most of our statements came to be because we are romantic; we don't like to throw away things we like or that bring good luck."

Valentino all the way, his ravishing long, narrow, bias-cut black crepe dress, bared and cross-strapped in back, with a “diamond” bow.

If superstition is finding comfort in instinctive choices, it's not that far from taste; it may even be taste itself. Every fortune-teller Valentino ever went to told him that he would be a great designer. And when Giammetti joined Valentino, an astrologer told him that they would make a fortune together.

Things come true. The world has changed in ten years. Women want to be wanted again. Lucky financial coincidences mean that people spend more than they did before on looking good. New millionaires have come out of the woods. Valentino no longer needs to improvise either accessories or a gilded court in Rome. He must travel to Paris and can travel to New York: the gilded world exists again. There are Valentino boutiques in the capitals, almost as opulent as the couture house, and princesses to wear his clothes in every town. The world is safe for luxury; he no longer has to defend it. Archduchess Sophie of Austria has grown into a beautiful woman, Lynn Wyatt has emerged from Texas, Paloma Picasso has come into her own. He no longer has to pretend: the world he dreamed of is his. It was only a matter of time.

I complimented him on the clothes in his boutique. "Ah!" he said, smiling a little ironically. ''Finally, you noticed."