You can't define "true" style in an absolute manner because, like everything else in life, it's a relative concept. But we can surely have some fun trying, can't we?
High-fliers like Kim Kardashian or Kanye West will tell you that true style is all about neutrals and shiny surfaces that catch the light and trick the eye into seeing more volume than there is. This high-flier believes style is all about black – the blackest, deepest, light-sucking shade of black possible.
Black private jets are not a rarity, even though they're not as common as white or off-white units, and they usually come with leather- and beige-heavy interiors. But a private jet that's as black as a shadow is unheard of, or so the owner of this one will have us believe. She compares it to the Lamborghini of private jets.
Dubbed the "most unique private jet" in the world, this all-matte black Gulfstream G450 is truly a memorable sight. The accuracy of that statement is unverifiable, but there's no denying this is the kind of aircraft that instantly stands out.
Put black on everything, whether a house, a superyacht, or even a single room, and you risk treading into morbid, Morticia-style territory. Not that there's anything wrong with Morticia or her style, but it's a look that doesn't necessarily translate well in everyday life.
This is probably the exception.
This is the private jet of businesswoman Sandra Corinna Kinzl, who branched out of luxury real estate to offer private jet customization. Her personal image is her business card in a way because SCK Aviation is in the market of buying older Gulfstreams, overhauling them to the point of "turn[ing] them into lifestyle statements," and selling them off.
To show what her team is capable of, Kinzl turned her own private jet into the jet of her dreams: a luxurious, luscious, absolutely gorgeous black hole shaped like a G450. It's somewhat of a celebrity on social media, where Kinzl shows it off often. We all know that filters and very careful editing make social media content less credible, if not downright misleading, but this G450 is just as breathtaking in real life as the video tour below will show.
With a total value of $21 million, this 11-year-old jet boasts an overhaul that came short of $5 million, of which $500,000 was for that spectacular paintjob only. Kinzl believes it's the most expensive painjob in the world on an aircraft of this kind, and the high price comes down to her choice of matte black, with shiny black stripes for contrast, which give the jet a diamond-like look. A black diamond, of course.
The interior is also black, with different shades of gray and the occasional white for depth and contrast. Kinzl believes the usual styling of private jets, even custom units, in shades of beige with lots of shiny wood veneer and leather, is bland and very old-fashioned. Plus, everyone's doing it, so there's really no way to stand out from the crowd – not really, there isn't.
So, to suit her personality and personal preference, she opted for all-black. There's no leather inside the plane, either genuine or synthetic, and no wood. Surfaces are covered in fabrics, all of them hand-sewn for an extra artisan touch, or carbon fiber, or real Italian marble.
The extra-wide seats are plush and comfortable, and gorgeous in their own right. The carpeting in grays and blacks matches the style of the cabin but stands out, too. The counters in the galley and the bathroom are real Silver Portoro Italian marble – also black with silver veins and absolutely gorgeous – and packed with matching black Christofle cutlery.
Again, an all-black interior can look a bit too morbid or even claustrophobic if not done right, but in the case of this private jet, the use of lighter tones adds depth and opens up the space to create an almost cozy interior. It's not the kind of interior you'd feel cozy enough to bring a cat (let alone a white one!), but it's still nice looking.
Specced to carry 14 passengers, this single-engine jet maxes out at 586 knots (674 mph/1,085 kph) and cruises at 476 knots (548 mph/881.5 kph). Kinzl uses it mostly for her trips around Europe, but she’s no stranger Stateside, either. The blacked-out refurb was completed earlier this year, and since then, "it’s not just a private jet anymore. It's a reflection of personality."
If anything, this striking private jet is a testament to what you could have if you're wealthy enough to afford a private jet – and then some more, to afford the overhaul. The huge carbon footprint of a private jet aside, it's surely a unique and most awesome way to express yourself and stand out among all the other rather boring and bland millionaires.
Elena has been writing for a living since 2006 and, as a journalist, she has put her double major in English and Spanish to good use. She covers automotive and mobility topics like cars and bicycles, and she always knows the shows worth watching on Netflix and friends. Full profile
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