top of page

Dasha Moranova | Founder & Creative Director at DMD

Updated: Jun 25

Dasha Moranova is the Creative director and Founder of Dasha Moranova Designs. DMD is an award-winning Interior and Exterior design firm located in Amsterdam.


Dasha, born in the Czech Republic, is a seasoned superyacht designer based in Amsterdam. With a Master’s degree in Industrial Design from Prague, she began her career in 2008 with landmark projects in Hamburg, including Eclipse (164.5M) and Luna (115M). Dasha has contributed to renowned firms like Terence Disdale Studio and Marcel Wanders before founding her own firm, DMD, three years ago. She focuses on sustainable yacht design, reflecting a growing industry trend.


Full Podcast Interview on YouTube
Full Podcast Interview on YouTube

Podcast Episode links:



Can you introduce yourself by sharing your name, where you're from, your role in the yachting industry, and the company you work for?


My name is Dasha Moranova. I am the Creative Director and founder of DMD – Dasha Moranova Designs, an interior and exterior design studio based in Amsterdam, which I established just over three years ago.


I was born in the Czech Republic, surrounded by the beauty of the mountains. My design education took me across Europe — I studied at prestigious academies in Prague, the Netherlands, and Hungary, ultimately completing a six-year Master’s degree in Industrial Design at the Academy of Art, Architecture and Design in Prague in 2005.


In early 2007, I moved to Mallorca after receiving an exciting opportunity to work on high-end residential projects. I had always loved the Mediterranean — the culture, the cuisine, the sunlight — and ever since I was a little girl, I dreamed of living by the sea. From family holidays in Croatia, I admired yachts and the sailing lifestyle. It felt like a calling — a natural next step.


What followed changed my life completely. I entered the superyacht industry, and for over 16 years now, it has been my creative home. My first projects were on behalf of the Owners’ Team, overseeing interiors and owner’s supply for two extraordinary new builds in Germany — M/Y Eclipse (164.5m), then the largest and most confidential private yacht in the world, and the elegant expedition yacht M/Y Luna (115m).



Can you share how you first got involved in the yachting industry?


I must say, it all unfolded quite magically. After moving to the beautiful island of Mallorca, I was working with one of my key residential clients on several high-end projects—both locally and internationally. This client, already the owner of a small yacht, began looking for a 40-meter vessel in early 2008. That led to my first Monaco Yacht Show, which I attended alongside him.


As you can imagine, we toured many impressive yachts at the show, and I was immediately captivated. With my background in industrial and product design, I was fascinated by the intricate details, exceptional finishes, and the craftsmanship involved in yacht construction—it was a completely new and inspiring world for me.


To top off the experience, we were invited to cruise around Italy as guests aboard a 50-meter yacht just after the show. It felt like a dream. I was fortunate that this client introduced me to others, and things progressed quickly. After two days of interviews in Hamburg, I was offered a position and soon relocated from Mallorca to begin work at the Blohm & Voss shipyard the following Monday.



Can you describe your role and the key tasks you handle? What does your job entail on a daily basis?


I began my career in the yachting industry working directly for the Owner’s Team at Blue Ocean Yacht Management, where I served as both Interior Manager and Owner’s Supply Manager for the high-profile new builds M/Y Eclipse and M/Y Luna, along with several other yachts in the BOYM portfolio.

Owner’s Supply involves the meticulous selection of all personal and guest-facing items on board — from tableware and linens to spa equipment and stationery. These items are highly personal, and my role as an interior designer was not only to create beautiful spaces but to ensure they reflected the owner’s lifestyle and preferences. When I joined the team, I was given valuable insight into the owners’ habits and expectations, which shaped every design and procurement decision.

To ensure we delivered a truly tailored experience, my colleague Claire Tizzard and I visited the owners’ other yachts. Claire, a former crew member with years of experience on yachts over 80 meters, brought crucial operational insights — particularly around storage and onboard functionality — while I focused on the aesthetic and curated selections for each deck and occasion.

One truth I've learned over 16 years in yachting: storage is always a challenge, no matter the size of the vessel.

In parallel, I also acted as Interior Manager, collaborating closely with the yacht’s renowned designer, Terence Disdale, who created both the interior and exterior of Eclipse. Working alongside Terence was one of the most formative experiences of my career — he was my greatest mentor in those early years.


I also worked closely with the shipyard team at Blohm & Voss, Interior Manager Martin Trostell, and a wide network of contractors. My responsibilities included compiling monthly reports for the owner, overseeing quality control of the interior fit-out, and managing coordination between teams.


With a background in engineering and industrial design, I’ve always had a strong eye for detail — a trait that became my hallmark. I was known for walking the yacht with red stickers in hand, marking even the smallest imperfections until every element met the highest standard. I also loved being part of the sea trials — they offered a unique connection to the final product.

Watching Eclipse come to life from our floating office beside the dock was like witnessing a symphony in motion. The yacht’s custom finishes and extraordinary detailing made it a once-in-a-lifetime experience — I often say it was my second university.


After Hamburg, I moved to London and joined Terence Disdale Design as a Senior Interior Designer in the FF&E department, working on M/Y Kibo and M/Y Romea (both 81m). I then joined Winch Design to contribute to the legendary M/Y Dilbar (156m) — the world’s largest yacht by volume.


Later, I relocated to Amsterdam for family reasons and became Senior Lead Designer at Marcel Wanders Studio, managing a team of 25–30 designers across projects. One highlight was a 6-star hotel in Qatar, where I led the full team, acted as client liaison, and traveled extensively — a fast-paced experience that further shaped my design and leadership approach.


In 2021, I launched my own studio — DMD (Dasha Moranova Designs) — in Amsterdam. We are a small, passionate team dedicated to creating bespoke, elegant designs for both interior and exterior projects. I continue to bring the depth of my experience and a hands-on, personal approach to every project we take on.



Could you walk us through a typical workday, including your main tasks and projects?


Each day is quite different — and that’s part of what I love most about my work. Now that I’m running my own business, the rhythm of my day depends largely on the stage of each project. Some days I might be traveling to a shipyard, consulting with contractors and suppliers on site; other days I’m in the studio with my team, reviewing designs, working on layouts, or experimenting with materials and finishes.


There are days when I’m fully immersed in design — sketching ideas, preparing GA (General Arrangement) plans, or working on a concept presentation. And then there are other days when I’m wearing my CEO hat — reviewing contracts, building spreadsheets, or working on marketing and client presentations. I even help out filming and editing short project videos with the team when needed.


To be honest, as we’re still a relatively small and dedicated team, I wear many hats — CEO, CFO, Creative Director, designer, manager… and yes, I also make a very good coffee! (laughs) But jokes aside, I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve built so far. The plan is to grow the studio in the near future — thoughtfully, but with big ambition.




Can you describe what it's like to work for yourself? What is the work environment and company culture like?


Working for myself and being my own boss is incredibly rewarding — but it definitely comes with its share of challenges and the occasional sleepless night.


I’ve always known that design is both my strength and my passion. Over the years, I’ve taken on many roles — working directly on behalf of owners, contributing to world-class design teams, leading client presentations, and managing large, multicultural teams (at one point, 30 designers from 11 different nationalities).


But in all honesty, the last few years have brought a different kind of growth — learning how to actually run a business. Building DMD has required me to step fully into the role of entrepreneur, something that didn’t come with a manual. I’ve invested heavily in my own development: from online business courses to attending Tony Robbins’ Business Mastery — an experience that was truly transformational.


It hasn’t always been easy. But I’ve made it my philosophy to keep learning and evolving — both as a designer and as a businesswoman. That mindset is what drives me forward every single day.



What would you consider your biggest accomplishment or proudest moment in the yachting industry?


I’m extremely grateful — and equally proud — of the opportunities I’ve had, the incredibly talented people I’ve met, and the exceptional projects I’ve been part of over the years. Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined, as a young girl from a small village in the Czech Republic, that I would one day be involved in such groundbreaking and high-profile work.

When I first moved to Mallorca and, shortly after, to Hamburg, everything was unfamiliar. I’m deeply thankful to my former boss, Richard Pearce, who placed his trust in me early on, saw potential I hadn’t yet seen in myself, and guided me through that intense and formative beginning. I often say those years were my second university.


My journey into running my own business happened gradually — evolving from freelancing to taking on my own projects. One of the first, and still one I’m especially proud of, was the 15-meter motorboat Zephyr. This 1939 gem, designed by De Voogt / Feadship, is now part of the official Feadship Heritage Fleet and holds an A-class interior design rating. It was a completely different challenge — a full restoration for a wonderful Dutch family with three children. The brief was to preserve the boat’s classic lines and rich heritage, while subtly infusing it with modern energy. It was truly a labor of love.


The real turning point — the moment DMD (Dasha Moranova Designs) truly came to life — was our work on the ALICEproject, in collaboration with Lürssen shipyard. It began as a small favor for my former colleague Jim Sluijter (then at Andrew Winch Design, now Lürssen’s in-house Lead Exterior Designer), who asked for support with general arrangement plans and finishes for a 1:100 scale model of his forward-thinking 98m concept yacht, ALICE. The model was to be showcased at Miniatur Wunderland in Hamburg.


What started as a simple favor quickly evolved into a creative collaboration. The concept — inspired by Alice in Wonderland — was driven by none other than the legendary Michael Breman of Lürssen. ALICE, envisioned as a fully climate-neutral, sustainable yacht, debuted at the Monaco Yacht Show in both 2021 and 2022. The scale model now has a permanent home in the Monaco section of Miniatur Wunderland, officially inaugurated by H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco alongside his wife and children.


Being part of this new wave of sustainable yacht design is something I hold close to my heart. It marks a meaningful milestone not only for me personally, but for DMD’s mission to blend innovation, elegance, and environmental consciousness in every project we take on.


What changes have you observed in the industry since you began your career?


Yes, I think there have been a few. To start, from a design perspective, mainly due to the new younger generation of owners, both the exteriors and interiors of yachts look very different these days.



What is your vision for the future of the yachting industry?


I am very happy to see that the industry is now heading in the right direction toward a greener future. We're not just talking about sustainability anymore; the conversation is turning into action, driven by conscious new owners and leading shipyards like Lürssen, Feadship, Oceanco, and many others who are following suit. Protecting our oceans should be our primary goal moving forward.



Is there something about you or your work that most people might not know?


Beyond design, I thrive on travel, movement, and continuous learning. I'm always open to diving into new and exciting experiences — whether it's exploring a new sport, visiting an inspiring destination, or taking on a fresh challenge. I’m an avid reader, especially drawn to topics like neuroscience, wellness, psychology, and self-development. One voice that particularly resonates with me is Dr. Daniel Amen, the renowned psychiatrist and brain scan specialist. His work on how our brains respond to different environments reinforces a belief I hold deeply: that our surroundings profoundly impact our well-being.

'

This philosophy lies at the heart of my design practice. I believe spaces should be created holistically — with carefully considered materials, lighting, scents, and textures that foster balance, warmth, and harmony. We’ve all stepped into spaces that instantly make us feel calm, energized, or inspired — that’s no accident. It’s the result of intentional, thoughtful design that supports human emotion, energy, and flow.


I also draw inspiration from Japanese and Chinese cultures, particularly their reverence for wellness, nature, and simplicity. These values often influence and shape my design sensibility.

On a more personal note, I’m a proud mum to a kind, curious, and thoughtful 11-year-old daughter who teaches me as much as I teach her. Balancing parenthood with building a business is no small feat — it’s a daily dance — but it has sharpened my ability to prioritize, manage time, and stay fully present.


And when I’m not designing or traveling? You’ll most likely find me in the garden — one of my greatest passions and where I find true peace.


What advice would you give to your younger self, and what do you wish you had known on your first day in the yachting industry?


I think one of the best pieces of advice I can offer is: talk to people more—especially those you admire and want to learn from. You might be surprised by how many are willing to share their experiences, including the mistakes that helped shape their path.


I was incredibly fortunate to be surrounded by amazing mentors early in my career. One of them was my former boss, Richard Pearce from Blue Ocean Yacht Management. He saw potential in me, placed his trust in me, and offered invaluable guidance during my formative years. Another was Martin Trostel, then Interior Manager at Blohm & Voss. His knowledge was a gift, and I’m proud to say we’re still very good friends 16 years later.


Beyond mentorship, hard work and a willingness to learn from everyone around you are essential. In my early days, I often spent 14 hours a day at the shipyard, soaking up knowledge from every department. I’ve always loved the shipyard environment — it’s like watching an orchestra, with each expert playing their part in harmony.


We’re also lucky that the yachting industry feels like one big family. There’s a genuine sense of care and camaraderie, and I’m grateful for the many lifelong friendships I’ve made along the way.



Get in touch with Dasha Moranova


Kommentarer

bottom of page