Last December, we had an amazing project in Seoul, Korea. It was a magnificent pop-up event titled "Roses Suesasha." We were responsible for the creative direction and decorating the space, and we also created the collaborative object with Sunrin and Nuri, which was featured in the pop-up.
And it was a lovely experience working with such talented and amazing people. We are grateful for the invitation and the trust placed in us to realize our ideas to Sunrin, Jina, and Nuri. We fell in love with Seoul and its people.
One of the outcomes of this project was an interview with L’Officiel Korea, in which we were extremely flattered to be featured. We have provided the translated text and a link to the original interview.
L'OFFICIEL (LO): CENTÁ showcases unique designs in various fields like flower arrangements, set design, and tableware. How would you define yourselves?
CENTÁ: Our goal is to explore visual possibilities with authenticity and curiosity. We never know how different objects will harmonise until we try.
LO: We first discovered CENTÁ through the Shell Glasses. What does "twist" mean to CENTÁ?
CENTÁ: A creative twist happens naturally. Our imagination works that way, even when combining unlikely materials like shells, glass, and metal.
LO: How did Lera and Viktor Komskii meet and start CENTÁ?
CENTÁ: About five years ago, we moved to Portugal without plans to start CENTÁ. After a year of sharing ideas, things progressed quickly, beginning with flower shop work and evolving into set design and food styling. Eventually, this led to collaborations with major brands.
LO: What does the name "CENTÁ" mean?
CENTÁ: We love that the name "CENTÁ" is derived from "Centaurea," the Latin word for cornflower, adding a secret connection to flowers.
LO: What does CENTÁ consider beautiful? Who is the person that inspires CENTÁ the most? Who has had the greatest influence on CENTÁ? And I'm also curious about when and where CENTÁ finds such creative inspiration.
CENTÁ: I think it’s best to gather all these questions and discuss the inspiration we receive. Certain aesthetic values can emerge when you refine something that is very flexible, ordinary, and simple. Let’s think about how butter can become the starting point for creating such beautiful set decorations. By whipping butter to make it smooth and transforming it into all possible colours and shapes, butter can become whatever we want it to be. It could be a rabbit, a birthday cake, or even egg shoes. In other words, a small 'twist' can bring a completely new sensation. We love vintage shopping and continue to add new and unique objects to the CENTÁ collection. Observing details of plates or children’s rattles, or hearing the behind-the-scenes stories of tablecloths or bedspreads, is a precious act for us. Portugal is a country full of unique buildings and palaces with interior designs. For example, taking a day trip to the Monserrate Palace Park in Sintra or spending a few hours at the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum in Lisbon will provide endless ideas. Of course, traveling is important. There is nothing more significant than experiencing, seeing, and getting inspired by your favorite city and places in person.
LO: Many of your works incorporate nature, such as combining flowers with mushrooms or eggs, or creating heart-shaped roses. How does nature inspire CENTÁ?
CENTÁ: Have you ever thought about the fact that there are no color combinations that don’t suit nature? Everything is perfectly created so that people can enjoy such beauty. Some types of mushrooms instantly turn into flowers when they touch water. How could one not find something that perfectly harmonizes with such things? Being outdoors and shooting there provides an opportunity to try frames or compositions you wouldn’t expect by utilizing all elements of the surrounding environment.
LO: You’ve also showcased many works using ribbons. What do you think about ribbons? Why do you like them?
CENTÁ: I like ribbons because they are very flexible. Even when you make a ribbon out of zucchini, it becomes a very delicate ornament in culinary decoration. As seen in the Zara children’s clothing campaign, ribbons also support bold expressions or photography. Ribbons capture people’s attention and draw interest with their dual nature of delicacy and boldness. However, there is a recent ribbon boom. We need a new hero.
LO: You’ve collaborated with various clients such as Loewe, Zara, H&M, and Stradivarius. If you had to choose the most impressive collaboration, which would it be?
CENTÁ: We have ongoing partnerships with Loewe and Zara. These companies trust us deeply and provide feedback beyond what we could imagine, maintaining a great partnership. We have been granted creative freedom in these relationships, and we are truly grateful for that. Each company is completely different creatively. For Loewe, we handle store flower designs, while at Zara Home & Kids, we are responsible for set designs. We are growing and giving our all to all of them.
LO: Among the set designs for photos or videos, which one do you think was the most impressive?
CENTÁ: Last September, we had the precious opportunity to work with friends from the Sandy Liang brand. Once again, we were lucky to have creative freedom and their support. Everything fell perfectly into place during the shoot with Sandy Liang. From the photographer to the lovely models, everyone was immersed in the project, exploring every possible direction. We prepared objects such as a giant multi-tiered cake, rose chairs, braided heart hair, very large roses, butter-made eggs, and heart-shaped bread. Among these, the braided heart was delivered to the client and used as store decoration. Decorating Sandy Liang's unique pieces with these objects realized the world that CENTÁ envisions.
LO: I heard that you enjoy finding unique and unusual flowers for your floral designs. Recently, which flower has caught the attention of the CENTÁ team?
CENTÁ: The Brown Chrysanthemum definitely has a character of its own. We are contemplating what style we can create with this bold and strong flower visually.
LO: CENTÁ also worked on a project in Korea last year. How did the 'Roses Suesasha' project with YouTuber Suesasha and ceramist Nuri Kim come about?
CENTÁ: We had been in contact with them for a long time. When our schedules finally aligned, we were fortunate to collaborate. We were deeply impressed by their process and how each stage was planned and coordinated. We fine-tuned the creative aspects of each piece through countless calls and discussions. Arriving in Seoul a week before the event allowed us to fully participate in the entire production process (pre-production and production). Suesasha and Nuri Kim were with us every step of the way and were open to any feedback. The event space was spacious enough to create fairly large objects like a rose heart, exhibition tables, multiple decorative mirrors, and stands. We decorated every wall, window, and even the ceiling. There was so much fabric used that it’s hard to quantify. We paid attention to details like balloon desserts, heart-shaped pillows, handmade roses, and tableware. All these elements came together to create the ‘fairy world’ we imagined, drawing immense interest from visitors and on social media. We hope to strengthen our partnership and friendship with them soon.
LO: You visited Seoul. What were the charms of Seoul that you personally experienced?
CENTÁ: We were absolutely enchanted by Seoul. The way traditional Hanok houses and neighbourhoods blend so naturally with modern buildings is a unique style of Seoul. We felt the vibrant energy and vitality of Seoul and its people through countless pop-up stores, events, and the city's overall dynamism. It was like reconnecting with a special and genuine feeling from our childhood, and Seoul felt like a hometown to us.
LO: If someone wants to reflect the essence and mood of CENTÁ in their room, what would you advise them to try first?
CENTÁ: Start by revisiting your favourite movies, countries, cities, music, books, and artworks. Look for something new and, once you find it, focus on that. Seeing something unique in the simple things is an important way to develop your own perspective and approach. It’s best to avoid similar projects or viewpoints, as they can lead you into a controlling and detrimental environment.
LO: Are there any creative individuals or projects that have caught your attention recently?
CENTÁ: We draw a lot of inspiration from artists working in diverse and special fields. Currently, we are focused on fashion and furniture brands. We are collaborating with some of our favourite artists on several projects, which we plan to reveal by the end of this year. We look forward to holding more events, so we hope you'll continue to stay with us.
LO: What are your plans for 2024?
CENTÁ: We want to explore new markets like the U.S. and continue collaborating with cities in Europe and Asia. We also believe personal creative activities are important and plan to allocate time for them.