Beyond Laundry: Northrop & Johnson’s Fourth Superyacht Masterclass Explores the Art of Yacht Care

On 15–16 October 2026, Northrop & Johnson, in collaboration with Yuliia Dobrohorska, hosted the fourth edition of its superyacht crew masterclass series in Viareggio, Italy. Titled Beyond Laundry: The Art of Yacht Care, the two-day event brought together a group of approximately 25 Chief Stews, Second Stews and Senior Stews to explore the finer details of caring for luxury garments, leather goods and yacht interiors.
Organised in partnership with All Around the Yacht Crew Uniforms and Shalene Hutchinson Luxury Toiletries, the masterclass continued a series dedicated to sharing specialist knowledge and supporting professional development within the superyacht industry.
This edition focused on an important but sometimes underestimated part of interior operations: the care and preservation of the valuable, often delicate items found on board. From designer clothing and fine linens to luxury leather accessories, the sessions explored the techniques and attention to detail required to maintain these belongings to the highest standards.
With specialist-led discussions and practical demonstrations, the event offered an opportunity for experienced interior crew to build on their existing knowledge, exchange ideas and take away useful techniques for everyday life on board.

Understanding the Art of Professional Laundry and Fabric Care

Laundry on a superyacht is rarely straightforward. Interior crew are expected to care for an extensive range of fabrics, often including delicate designer garments, fine wool, silk, luxury bedding and bespoke crew uniforms. Knowing how to handle each material correctly can make all the difference in preserving its quality and appearance.
One of the key sessions was led by Jill Devine, founder of The Linen Basket, a specialist laundry and dry-cleaning company established in 2014 that works with luxury yachts and villas across the French Riviera.
With four years of formal study in textiles, clothing design and manufacture, as well as membership of the UK’s Guild of Launderers, Jill brought considerable technical knowledge to the masterclass, alongside years of hands-on industry experience.
Her session explored fabric identification, stain removal, washing temperatures, suitable laundry products, drying methods, ironing and pressing. Particular attention was given to understanding how different materials respond to treatment and how seemingly small mistakes can result in lasting damage.
For crew working with valuable garments and textiles every day, the emphasis was on making informed decisions rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach.

Caring for Luxury Leather Goods

Leather care was another important part of the program, with specialist insight provided by FABianaMARe, a Dubai-based luxury leather brand founded in 2017 by Italian sisters Manola and Fabiana Maccarini.
Known for combining traditional Italian craftsmanship with contemporary design, the brand creates handcrafted, bespoke accessories and leather décor for luxury yachts and residences.
Drawing on this experience, the session looked at the differences between genuine and synthetic leather, appropriate cleaning techniques, stain treatment, routine maintenance and long-term preservation.
For interior teams responsible for owners’ personal collections, including designer handbags, shoes and accessories, understanding how to recognise different leather types and care for them properly is an essential skill. The discussion also highlighted the importance of preventative care in protecting valuable items and avoiding unnecessary damage.

Preparing for the Winter Season

With the Mediterranean summer season coming to an end, the timing of the masterclass also provided an opportunity to address another practical challenge for interior departments: preparing clothing and personal belongings for winter storage.
Correct storage is about more than finding space in a wardrobe. Fabrics, shoes, handbags and accessories all need careful preparation if they are to remain in good condition during extended periods of non-use.
The program explored the importance of cleaning items before storage, selecting appropriate protective packaging and understanding how storage conditions can affect different materials.
These are details that can easily be overlooked during a busy end-of-season period, yet they play an important role in ensuring that owners’ belongings and onboard textiles are properly preserved and ready for the next season.

Bringing Together Experience from Across the Industry

Beyond the technical sessions, one of the strengths of the masterclass was the range of industry experience brought together by its organisers and partners.
Joanna Mucka Rubio, founder of All Around the Yacht, has spent more than 13 years working with crew uniforms and interior textiles in the superyacht sector. Since establishing her company in 2023, she has focused on providing high-quality uniforms, bespoke designs and interior textiles for new builds, refits and operational yachts.
Her understanding of how fabrics perform in the demanding onboard environment brought an additional perspective to the wider conversation about textile selection, quality and long-term care.

Fellow partner Shalene Hutchinson, founder of Shalene Hutchinson Luxury Toiletries, also brought extensive first-hand industry knowledge. Having spent 12 years working aboard yachts before moving into luxury brand sales and yacht supply, she understands the expectations and day-to-day demands placed on interior departments.
Her company specialises in premium toiletries, skincare, guest amenities, fragrances, bespoke leather items and luxury gifts, with a focus on the quality and presentation expected within the luxury yachting sector.
Together, the partners contributed different areas of expertise while sharing a common understanding of the care, precision and attention to detail required on board.

Yuliia Dobrohorska: Sharing Knowledge Beyond Life on Board

Co-organising the masterclass alongside Northrop & Johnson was Yuliia Dobrohorska, whose career in the superyacht industry spans approximately 15 years.
Having worked extensively as a Chief Stewardess, Yuliia understands the responsibilities, high expectations and practical challenges faced by interior crew. Her dedication to the profession was recognised in 2022 when she received the Best Chief Stewardess Award at the ACREW Awards.
Now based in Italy, she has moved into luxury yacht interior outfitting, specialising in new-build projects, bespoke furnishings and luxury accessories. Her work brings together her onboard experience with a strong appreciation for craftsmanship, interior design and the finer details of luxury service.
Through the masterclass series, Yuliia and Northrop & Johnson have created a space where interior crew can connect directly with specialists, ask questions and develop skills that are not always covered in conventional crew training.

Continuing the Conversation Around Yacht Care

The fourth edition of the masterclass reinforced the value of bringing practical expertise and industry experience together. It also highlighted how much knowledge sits behind the everyday responsibilities of a yacht’s interior team.
Caring for luxury garments, fine textiles, leather accessories and personal belongings requires more than attention to detail. It calls for an understanding of materials, the right techniques and the confidence to know when specialist treatment is needed.

Northrop & Johnson, Yuliia Dobrohorska and Ivana Novakovic recognise the value of this four-edition training initiative in promoting knowledge-sharing and professional development within the luxury yachting industry.