MARK RODO BORN IN 1956 THANKS TO THE INVENTIVE ITALIAN ROMUALDO DORI. HE DECIDED TO MAKE PRODUCTION OF ORIGINAL BAGS FROM THE FLORENTIAN STRAWS, WHICH ARE CREATED BY SPECIALLY DEVELOPED TECHNOLOGY AND ONLY BY HAND.
Since then, the creative approach has become the main feature of the RODO brand, whose designer today is the middle son of Romualdo Maurizio Dori, and the general director is the senior Gianni Dori. Recently, new collections of RODO bags and clutches were presented at Harvey Nichols Dubai Gallery. Here we chatted with Gianni Dory.
Gianni, how long have you been working with Harvey Nichols Dubai?
Our partnership with Harvey Nichols Dubai began when this gallery opened in the mall of the Emirates mall. We even participated in celebrating her 5th anniversary last year with a unique Harvey Nichols Dubai signature blue bag. And today we are pleased to present here our bags and evening clutches.
How important is the presence in the UAE market for RODO?
We usually work with large department stores and shopping centers, as this is a very successful business model. RODO collections are now sold in the most famous and prestigious shopping centers around the world: Harvey Nichols and Harrods in London, Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue in the USA, Matzuya and Takashimaya in Japan, Lane Crawford in Hong Kong, Crocus City Mall in Moscow, and, of course, here in Dubai. Everyone knows that the UAE attracts huge flows of international tourists, and the main concentration of luxury brands is concentrated here under the roofs of shopping centers. Therefore, Dubai is a very important center for us, and our presence in other countries of the region: Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar is also important to us.
What makes RODO brand products different from others?
The highest level of craftsmanship and only handmade! RODO is one of the few luxury brands that produces everything only in its own factories. Even the metal parts of our bags and clutches we produce ourselves. And this, believe me, is already jewelry work. We use a wide variety of materials and their combinations in our products - silk and leather, metal and mother of pearl, suede and rhinestones, as well as unique, patented technologies. All this makes RODO products unique.
By what criteria do you determine the size of clutches that will be fashionable in a given season?
It all depends on the reason for which the woman will need a bag. Some modern clutches are so small that even smartphones are not included. Only lipstick, well, and even a credit card, maybe. However, recent trends are pushing manufacturers to produce envelope bags and other “enlarged” versions of this ladies' toilet. For us at RODO it doesn’t matter if it’s a big bag or a small one, it should still be stylish, elegant and feminine. This is the essence of RODO.
Recently, many fashion designers say that a bag does not have to match tone with tone with shoes. What do you think about that?
I believe that today it is very important that the bag and shoes are combined with each other - both in color and in the quality of the materials. My opinion is that the classic is back! Today's fashion trends are largely dictated by the 1970s, and then this was an unshakable rule. Unfortunately, we do not have enough space at Harvey Nichols Dubai to offer a matching pair of shoes for each of our bags.
It is well known that RODO products are simply adored by celebrities from the world of fashion and cinema. Which of them has the largest collection of bags and shoes from RODO?
Such modern Hollywood stars as Cate Winslet, Cate Blanchett, Teri Hatcher, Marisa Tomei, Beyonce, Jessica Alba and Megan Mullali have items from RODO collections. If we talk about the generation of the 1960s, these are such icons of style and femininity, as Claudia Cardinalle, Elizabeth Taylor, Paintings Deneuve. And this is not a complete list. As for the largest collections, then perhaps the most loyal of our customers I would call Jennifer Lopez, Kate Winslet and Sienna Miller.
Did you immediately decide to join a family business?
Good question, but that was not my decision. My father had five of us, and I am the eldest son. Therefore, he immediately told me that even if I go to college or university, receiving the profession of a lawyer or a banker, sooner or later I still have to come to his factory and help. So I help the Dory family as I can. But to be honest, I like everything we do at RODO. And this means that I do not regret my choice. Even if made for me by my father.
And if you would choose?
I would probably become a cook. I love to cook and serve food beautifully. This is also an art.
Who else from your family works at RODO today? And who makes the final decision on the release of a collection?
My brother Maurizio, designer. And my sister, who is responsible for the selection of materials. My niece also helps. She is 23 years old and she received a diploma of fashion designer. But I make all final decisions on any issue, since I thoroughly know the whole production process. I also travel a lot and see what is happening in the world of fashion. In addition, the birth of every bag or pair of shoes is a miracle for me! And I am always happy when the result exceeds expectations.
Gianni, thank you for the conversation and the wonderful collections. I wish you success, and see you soon.
