Roberto Da Pozzo

Creative Director,  in conversation with Marco Fabiani
Marco: What brought you to this sector in the first place?
Roberto: When I was still at art school, Vogue contacted the college and said they wanted to hire me.
Marco: How was it working for Vogue in Milan?
Roberto: It was wonderful working with both Carla Sozzani and Aldo Premoli. I couldn’t have wished for a better start to my career. It was a fabulous experience!
Marco: Were you given creative freedom?
Roberto: Yes, absolutely. I have always been very fortunate to enjoy creative freedom.
Marco: Is there a particular job or campaign that you are particularly proud of ?
​Roberto: Not at all - I feel absolutely connected to everything I do. No matter how big or small. Each job has its own unique set of challenges. And every single job brings its own set of rewards of one kind or another. 
Marco: Who are your heroes?
​Roberto: I wouldn’t call them heroes so much as great masters. People like A.G. Fronzoni and Carla Sozzani really are great masters to me. These are the kind of people I look up to and admire as truly inspirational figures.
Marco: Was it different when you worked for Vogue Pelle?
​Roberto: If anything, I could be more daring. You had this feeling that anything was possible.

Marco: How do you think the fashion industry has changed in the last 10 years?
Roberto: Today, the industry seems to be run by large groups, and investment funds that have control over so many aspects of the business. In the old days, it was the designers and the families who owned the brands who were the decision makers. 

Marco: Does the digital age excite you as a creative?
Roberto: It’s just another media opportunity; another canvas. You can be as creative with it as any other channel.  All opportunities excite me - whatever the media. Every job, whether it’s a TV commercial or a digital point-of-sale piece, brings its own set of challenges and rewards - both large and small. And it’s this creative challenge that excites me. The media is irrelevant. It’s the approach; the thinking; and the end results that excite me. In other words, the whole creative process.
Marco: How important are accessories in the fashion industry today?
Roberto: Accessories have now become the most evident part of the fashion industry. I’d say they’ve come to represent the core of the business.
Marco: How was it working with Helmut Newton?
Roberto: He was a star. Compared to him, I was a mere beginner; a graphic designer. Working with Helmut was an absolute privilege. And, of course, I learnt so much in the process.