PERSONAJE LURE
A REVOLUTIONARY RUG
It’s impossible to talk about the birth of the brand without mentioning Tomás’ father, which is why our first question is about Carlos Vera Dieppa. Tomás tells us that he was a curious and intrepid character, who had the foresight to create a rug inspired by traditional Japanese tatami mats, made using natural Colombian fibers. “Bringing it to life was not an easy task, as not all fibers are resistant enough to support so much footfall”, but Carlos, being both creative and persistent decided to visit a weaver of coffee sacks. Once the rug was ready, he took it to another artisan in order to add a layer of latex and a leather border. Around the year 2000, Carlos incorporated metal in his rugs, creating a veritable design revolution. VERA + DIEPPA = VERDI
Carlos Vera Dieppa passed away in 2010. Some time later, Tomás having graduated with a degree in business administration in England, returned to Colombia to pick up his father’s project and opened the first Verdi workshop, taking the name from the first letters of his father’s surnames. “Initially we only made rugs, but today we are a Colombian design studio with three fundamental pillars: interior design, fashion and art”, explains Tomás, speaking from inside the workshop they moved to over two years ago. 200 |
In keeping with those three pillars, Verdi’s catalog includes carpets, curtains, blankets and tabletop accessories, made using a never-before-seen technique. “We work with fique, plantain fiber, cumare, yaré, organic silk and horse and alpaca hair; and we mix these fibers with copper, steel and silver-plated metals. The idea is to create a fusion between Colombian artisanal styles and modernity.” AN ICONIC BAG
One of the most important steps in Verdi’s growth was its incursion into the world of fashion with an internationally-renowned item. “We reinvented the traditional Colombian mochila (shoulder bag). We used metal, something which runs through Verdi’s DNA, and we crocheted.” The result was so exquisite, it drew the attention of famed personalities including Queen Letizia of Spain, Sofía Vergara and Nina García, who have sported Verdi’s creations in a number of settings. Much more than a company, Tomás sees Verdi as something of a life project, which is why he now wants to showcase the talents of those who work alongside him on a more global scale; he wants to continue innovating and wowing the international market with novel items that promote Colombia and sustainability. “For us, the greatest expressions of luxury go hand in hand with sustainability”. Which is why the tree of life so fittingly represents his vision: “in an age of global warming and plastic, it is trees which give life to our planet.”