"Prix du Design" at the Monaco Yacht Show (MYS) 2009

The "Prix du Design" is regarded as the Oscar of the super-yacht industry. And many famous owners attended the award ceremony, which has been staged at Monte Carlo harbour during the Monaco Yacht Show since 2003. Jack Cowin, winner of the 2009 "Prix du Design", was presented with the trophy – a volute bowl entirely handmade by Porzellan Manufaktur Nymphenburg to a design by the US designer, Ted Muehling.

With a total length of 60 metres, Cowin's "Slipstream" is the largest motor yacht ever realised by the French CMN Shipyard. It is one of a series of motor yachts that have been developed by the shipyard in cooperation with the British interior designer, Andrew Winch, and fitted with exquisite materials in the art-deco style.

Previous winners of the "Prix du Design" include the SY Nirvana, Vitters Shipyard (2008), MY Salvaje, Rodriguez (2007), Maltese Falcon, Perini Navi (2006), Blue Moon, Feadship (2005), Ocean of Love, Kaiserwerft (2004), Syl, Barcos Deportivos (2003).

Nymphenburg's reputation in the yacht industry is based on its unique history because, at the beginning of the grand age of transatlantic shipping, Nymphenburg was the first address that outfitters of luxury liners turned to. The luxurious services with their sophisticated hand-painted designs were particularly popular with luxury liner shipbuilders. First customers included the Hamburg-Amerika line with its "Kaiserin Auguste Victoria" steamer – at the time – in 1905/1906 – the largest ship in the world.

Aristoteles Onassis had the table services for his yacht, "Christina", the first privately owned super yacht ever, produced by Porzellan Manufaktur Nymphenburg – and, to this day, the company remains the manufacturer of luxury items for the super-yacht industry: the craftsmen and -women at Nymphenburg's master workshops, who undergo special training and who must possess incredible manual skills, do not only produce individualised services but also light objects, tiles and exclusive specialities for these queens of the oceans.

Image: "Prix du Design" 2009 award with (from the left) Andrew Winch, British interior designer, Luc Pettavino, President of the MYS, Mrs Cowin, HRH Albert II of Monaco, Jack Cowin, winner of the "Prix du Design" 2009 award, Dr Jörg Richtsfeld, Director Porzellan Manufaktur Nymphenburg