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During the “Semana de Francia” celebration in Casa de Campo and Altos de Chavón, we caught up with Emilio Robba, the “sculptor of flowers” for an interview and learnt about some surprising and very interesting projects he has planned for his projects in Altos de Chavón.
Famous French/Italian designer, Emilio Robba is the director of the “Altos de Chavón Atelier by Emilio Robba” a joint venture with Casa de Campo, which sells beautiful pottery, tapestry and serigraphy created by Dominican artesians in the Altos de Chaveon workshops. Whilst visiting Casa de Campo on his most recent trip, Emilio reorganized the store in Altos de Chavón and introduced some new creations to the artesians whose hands make his designs a reality.
[The photos used to decorate this article are of the “Altos de Chavón Atelier by Emilio Robba” store in Altos de Chavón.]
CCL: What inspired you to choose Casa de Campo to open one of your stores?
Emilio Robba: At the beginning I met Mr. Claudio Silvestri, he invited me to come here and of course when I saw Casa de Campo and Altos de Chavón, for me it was something unique in the world. I’ve had the chance to travel everywhere in the world because of my job, from Japan, China, Europe, but this is unique! The vegetation and nature is always present everywhere and my creativity and inspiration is nature.
CCL: Amongst your various designs and creations, which are most popular with your Casa de Campo clients?
Emilio Robba: The challenge here at the beginning was to train the artists at the workshop. The artists are very talented and have the potencial but they needed a guide. We introduced the fashionable colours, the new designs, some very traditional and contemporary – that is our direction. Now we have some very famous people who like the possibility of having something exclusive, customized and that is our focus, we like to offer something more complete, not only lamps, but also tapestry, paintings and serigraphy. People understand now we have the quality and that we offer something unique in the Dominican Republic.
CCL: Whilst in Casa de Campo this time you have been working on some new projects – can you tell us anything about that?
Emilio Robba: We have an old project but it is now a new project…….The gardens of Altos de Chavon, we have a plan of creating a botanical garden, something really special including exhibits with sculptures, with artists, introducing the orquids and trees for special events, as well as a Japanese garden, Mexican garden, tropical garden…… It takes time because it is not easy, but that is the project.
CCL: What is your opinion of Dominican Art?
Emilio Robba: On my first visit to Altos de Chavón I visited the Altos de Chavón School of Art and Design and I was very surprised because in general if you go to Martinica, Guadaloupe and other islands in the Caribbean, they have always the same style, by that I mean they have a very “naive” style, but in the Dominican Republic is different! It’s people are contemporary and graphically they have a more advertising and arquitectural style and that’s why I like it!
CCL: Having spoken about the Dominican art have you been inspired by Dominican art in your creations and designs?
Emilio Robba: During my visits to the Dominican Republic, I’ve been to Las Terrenas, Samaná, Punta Cana, and of course thats a good source, I receive the inspiration from its places and nature, because nature is amazing here, so yes of course! It is my inspiration.
CCL: Once you have created your designs, how do you work with the artesians in Chavón?
Emilio Robba: We have different ways of designing, sometimes we do sketches, sometimes we send the pictures as well as the drawings, and after that we go to the workshops and explain what we want and make changes while they are working.
CCL: When you are in Casa de Campo and you are not working, what is your favourite thing to do?
Emilio Robba: My favourite thing to do is golf BUT, everytime I am around here, I have my shorts and my polo shirt and I have NO chance to play golf! It is my dream, so maybe one day (I hope) it will be possible.
CCL: What is your favourite restaurant in Casa de Campo?
Emilio Robba: The Beach Club! Maybe because I’m Italian, my family is Italian and I find exactly what I’m looking for and also the location is very nice, it’s a dream! I’ve tried some good pizza and a very Italian, thin crispy pizza at Gino In Trastevere! It’s very nice!
Many thanks to Emilio Robba for such a wonderful interview! Wish you success in this and many other projects to come!
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