Conversations with Yami Contreras

Today we’d like to introduce you to Yami Contreras.

Hi Yami, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Emilio Robba exists at the intersection of art and illusion. Long before artificial florals became widely accepted in high design, Emilio Robba was already redefining what they could be. His work challenged the assumption that beauty must be fleeting. Instead, he proposed something radical for its time: that flowers could be timeless, emotional, and enduring without losing their soul.

As an artist, Emilio Robba approached florals with the eye of a sculptor and the discipline of a craftsman. Every stem, curve, and proportion was studied not to copy nature, but to honor it. His philosophy was never about excess or decoration for its own sake. It was about balance, realism, and presence. A Robba arrangement was meant to belong to a space, to quietly elevate it, and to feel as though it had always been there.

From that artistic foundation, Emilio Robba the company was born. What began as an atelier rooted in European craftsmanship evolved into a global brand synonymous with hyperrealism and refined luxury. The company’s success has never relied on trends. Instead, it has been built on consistency, quality, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Every collection reflects the same principles that guided the artist himself: restraint, precision, and respect for materials. This is why Emilio Robba has become a trusted name in private residences, hospitality, cruise ships, and cultural spaces around the world.

I entered this world exactly two decades ago. At the time, Emilio Robba was already a benchmark in the industry, but what I encountered was more than a brand. It was a language. I began my journey by learning every layer of the company, from design and production to sourcing and client relationships. Understanding how beauty was constructed behind the scenes became essential to my creative growth.

Over the years, my role evolved naturally alongside the brand. Today, as Creative Director, my responsibility is to protect the legacy while guiding it forward. My work is rooted in translation. Translating Emilio Robba’s original artistic vision into contemporary spaces. Translating craftsmanship into large scale projects without losing intimacy. Translating beauty into systems that allow the brand to grow while remaining faithful to its essence.

What connects the artist, the company, and my own journey is continuity. Nothing here has been rushed. Everything has been shaped with intention. Emilio Robba is not about spectacle. It is about permanence. It is about creating environments that feel calm, elegant, and emotionally resonant over time.

Two decades later, my relationship with the brand is deeply personal. Emilio Robba is not simply where I work. It is a creative universe I have helped steward, evolve, and refine. Together, we continue to explore how nature, art, and design can coexist in a way that feels honest, timeless, and quietly powerful.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not been a smooth road, but it has been a meaningful one. Growing within a legacy brand comes with responsibility and pressure. On a personal level, I learned to trust my own judgment while respecting an established creative identity. From a business perspective, the challenge was evolving the brand without compromising its core values. As the company expanded into larger and international projects, maintaining consistency, craftsmanship, and realism required discipline and strong systems.

Those challenges shaped the way I lead today. They reinforced the importance of long-term vision, structure, and thoughtful growth, and ultimately strengthened both the brand and my confidence as a creative leader.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My role today is to shape how Emilio Robba is experienced, not only how it looks. As Creative Director, I work across design, brand direction, and project development, ensuring that every collection and environment communicates a clear point of view. My responsibility is to maintain coherence between aesthetics, materials, scale, and context, so that our work feels intentional in any setting, from intimate spaces to large architectural projects.

I specialize in translating emotion into form. Much of my work is about understanding how people move through a space and how botanical elements can subtly influence mood, rhythm, and atmosphere. Rather than designing individual arrangements in isolation, I think in systems and environments. This approach allows our work to feel integrated, lasting, and quietly powerful.

What I am most proud of is building creative frameworks that allow the brand to grow while remaining selective. Establishing standards, processes, and visual discipline has made it possible to scale without sacrificing identity. That balance between creativity and structure is something I care deeply about and continue to refine.

What sets me apart is perspective. I approach design with both sensitivity and rigor, balancing intuition with strategy. I am known for making complex projects feel simple, for guiding teams with clarity, and for creating work that is confident without being loud. Ultimately, my goal is to create environments that feel considered, enduring, and emotionally resonant, while supporting a business built for longevity.

So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
People can work with me through Emilio Robba in several ways, depending on the nature of the collaboration. I work closely with interior designers, architects, hospitality groups, and developers on custom projects, large scale installations, and long-term programs that integrate botanical design into their environments. These collaborations often begin with a shared vision and evolve through thoughtful dialogue, planning, and execution.

I am also open to creative partnerships with brands, artists, and institutions that value craftsmanship, intention, and longevity. The most successful collaborations are built on mutual respect and a clear understanding of purpose rather than trend-driven ideas. I am particularly interested in projects that challenge scale, context, or materiality while remaining refined and disciplined.

Support, to me, means engagement. Following our work, sharing it, and advocating for thoughtful design helps sustain a culture that values quality over speed. Whether through collaboration, conversation, or long-term partnership, meaningful relationships are at the core of how I work and how Emilio Robba continues to grow.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.emiliorobba.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emiliorobba/?hl=en

Image Credits
All pictures belong to Emilio Robba

Lifestyle pictures were taken at Emilio Robba Showroom.
Picture #3 Emilio Robba Freshcut exclusive for Animadomus
Picture #8 Emilio Robba Snow Sculpture Custom made for House of One Design.