A 20-question interview with Paris based fashion designer Martin Raffa
The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?
The search beauty and harmony. From an early age, I understood the importance of both in my entourage.
“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?
“Beauty is interior”.
Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2017?
The mediatic terrorism of the Kardashian family.
Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?
Palm trees and tropical rainforest vegetation.
What might you swap all your wealth for?
For God to grant me an obedient heart.
Donald Trump was once a case of: “If you owe the bank a thousand, they close you down; but if you owe the bank a billion, you own the bank”. What’s your view on the state of the financial system?
I don’t understand much about finance, but I think the worst thing of all is that there is a lack of help to help small entrepreneurs since they are the true wealth creators.
What phrase or word do you most loathe?
“It’s impossible to achieve”.
In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home”. What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?
Personally, I work with friends to create an association protect animals. I especially like protecting dogs.
The judge in Law Abiding Citizen states: “I can pretty much do whatever I want” before being blown up whilst answering her mobile phone. What’s your view on the appropriate use of such devices?
Being connected is great, but do not be connected for too long.
If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?
I would invite Andy Warhol so we could have great pictures, Truman Capote to enjoy great conversations, Marvin Gaye for the music, Ferran Adrià to have great meals and my French bulldog, Batman.
If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?
Soy risotto with oysters and black truffles at Le Sur Mesure by Thierry Marx at the Mandarin Oriental in Paris.
What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?
It depends on the city. In Paris, it would be 6pm with my team at the office at the end of a long, productive day.
A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?
A martini, always.
Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?
I enjoy my own pool parties the best.
Who is the most positive person you know?
Milagros Schmoll, my muse. She is an Argentinian artist and international model.
What’s your most guilty pleasure?
To stay in bed in the morning playing with my dog Batman when I have a thousand things to do.
If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?
A very fine line on my arm that could only be read with a magnifying glass. It would say: “The beauty is in the eyes of the beholder” (Oscar Wilde).
If you were a car, what marque would you be?
A black Aston Martin DB4 Zagato.
Cilla Black presented Surprise, Surprise. Tell us the most surprising thing about you.
When I was young, I spent three years in the navy. I was honoured as a submariner.
What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?
Books about the photographer Steichen, a candle by Cire Trudon, lithospheres from Bernardaud and a big bottle of Sycomore by Chanel.
Martin Raffa was born in Argentina of Italian origin. He was the first Argentinian designer to present a collection during the haute couture shows in Paris. He now works for private clients around the world. Contact him at [email protected]
‘Like’ his page on Facebook by clicking here.
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