Raúl Àvila has masterminded the Met Gala for 13 years and counting. The coveted event planner divulges his favourite New York restaurants, timeless red-carpet looks and what it takes to make a space party-ready.
07 January, 2020
Event
planner Raúl Àvila moved from Colombia to the US in 1984.
After a kismet of sorts, he trained for 14 years under the
legendary Robert Isabell – whose floral work made him a favourite
of the Kennedys and Clintons.
While his name may not be front and centre in your mind, Raúl
Àvila’s lush, evocative creations are sure to jog your memory. He’s
the man responsible for 2015’s bamboo-forest staircase at the Met
Gala – ah ha, there we go! In fact, he’s held the post of event
designer for the Met Gala for 13 years and counting. Other notable
and ritzy jobs include the Tony Awards, Rihanna’s debut Savage x
Fenty runway presentation and the Evening Standard Theatre Awards.
Regardless of brief, client or budget, his goal is always the same:
to make whatever space he occupies party-ready.
I was born in Colombia to a family who didn’t question or
criticise my love for fashion, beauty and interior decoration. To
have a family that was supportive of my dreams definitely shaped me
into who I am today.
The West Village. I lived in a small apartment on 10th Street
between Bleecker and Houston for five years. It was (and still is)
such a hip place and helped me dive headfirst into the NYC
culture.
Right now I live in Chelsea, which has been my home for many
years; it’s such a beautiful and welcoming community.
Ah, there’s so many. My favourite is Indochine – I’ve
been going there since I moved to this country. My other favourites
are Sant
Ambroeus West Village, Motel Morris and Pastis.
My store Raúl of course. We have the most beautiful curation of
florals from all over the world. It is located on 216 8th Avenue,
on the corner of 21st Street. It’s my pride and joy. Not only do we
have a fresh flower selection, we also provide event services and
house installations. As a matter of fact, I just opened up Café
Flor next door where you can enjoy authentic Colombian coffee while
doing your floral shopping.
Everything. Everything I know, I do, the way I work, the way I
interact with people – I learned it all from him.
My favourite highlight is still my first one, Poiret: King of
Fashion. I had complete creative control and it was a success.
Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty; China: Through the Looking
Glass; Rei Kawakubo/ Comme des Garçons: Art of the In-Between…
honestly, there’s too many to pick and each one is beautiful in its
own unique way.
The highlight was, and remains, getting to work in one of the
best museums in the world with the most amazing teams of people.
The low point: having no rest. During the weeks and days building
up to it, it was the only thing that I could think about. There was
no time to stop and rest. It was just go, go, go.
Rihanna in China: Through the Looking Glass. Iconic. Beautiful.
Timeless.
Freedom of expression. I love being able to bring my ideas to
life in some of the world’s most amazing venues. There’s no limit
to my imagination and there is no limit to my events. Anything is
possible.
Time will always be the most challenging element in all of my
events. We love to achieve the impossible and the only thing that
limits us is time and I wish I could just pause it.
The only thing I can reveal is that it’s in a different theatre
this year. I love the element of surprise.
This is my second year.
I come on as more of a consultant (the theme is decided before I
join) and we start work about six months before the event.
The only time I concede to superstitions is when I am working in
other countries. Some countries see certain flowers as bad luck,
and you have to respect that.
I feel that it’s extremely important to make sure you are giving
the right flowers for the right reasons. You never want to send
mixed messages or choose a floral that doesn’t match the aesthetic
you are aiming for.
The Statue of Liberty years ago, for the launch of a new vodka.
We had a planter on the water, and that’s where they played music
too. It was amazing.
Peonies. I love the beauty, simplicity and elegance.
The guest list and playlist. Those two factors can really make
or break a party.
Peonies. A beautiful arrangement of peonies can take someone’s
breath away.
True. Nature is nature. The beauty of nature is unmatchable.