" I grew up in Miami, a real 50's city, where - both indoors and out - you were always surrounded by rattan. A material that simply cries out for a retro look. I had wanted to do something with that for a long time, but not without combining it with modern comfort."
- René Barba
As a little boy, Cuban designer René Barba was already taking his toys apart and creating entirely new things with them. Around the age of ten, he knew he wanted to become a designer. He spent his youth in sunny Florida, but in 1990, he headed for Paris to study at the École nationale supérieure des Arts décoratifs. To this day, he still works and lives in France.
René Barba's personality is clearly reflected in his designs. Modest, but with a pinch of southern temperament. The dominant features are warm colours, a relaxed vibe, and a sophisticated balance. Inspired by materials, he searches for new functions for existing objects. He prefers to combine two or three materials to achieve the perfect balance between hard and soft, comfort and functionality.
