VETMA X ROBOTKAO

INTERVIEW :

Hi Robotkao, I'm so happy to do this first interview with you! Can you introduce yourself in a few words?

Yo ! I'm ROBOTKAO, I'm 25 years old, and I'm an Artistic Director and Designer based in Lille. I've been designing since I was 14, and I'm interested in a lot of things, but especially clothing, watches, and jewelry.

How long have you been working with Davril ?

I've been working at Davril for a year and a half, but my products have only been released since December 2023.

What is your role at Davril, and what does your job involve ?

I am currently the Artistic Director, and my job covers a wide range of tasks. This includes organizing drops, setting the mood and themes for collections, ensuring the proper distribution of clothing and accessories, and maintaining product consistency. On a broader scale, my role also involves discussions with the photography and marketing teams to ensure we are all moving in the same direction and that it’s the right one. The design aspect of my job actually represents only 10-15% of my role within the company.And, of course, designing clothing and accessories. In summary, my job is a mix of management, strategy, and art.

What motivated you to join Davril ?

I’ve always seen Davril as a brand with huge potential, and at that time in my life, I was looking for experience and growth within a supportive company. The geographical proximity also played a big role. If I had to highlight one thing, it would be that Davril is an ambitious brand, which perfectly aligns with my mindset and goals.

What was your background before joining Davril ?

Before being hired at Davril, I worked as a freelance Artistic Director on various projects, whether for companies, YouTubers, or streamers. I also collaborated with some clothing brands and worked in event planning. Between typography/logo design and fashion design, I gradually found myself getting more and more into clothing. I never studied design, so maximizing my experience while staying aligned with my ambitions remained a key goal.

What does a typical day in your role look like ?

A typical day starts with a good coffee, then I open my planner where I write down my tasks for the day. First step : Analyzing marketing data and sales figures with the marketing team. This helps me better understand our customers and adjust certain products accordingly or even predict future trends. Second step : Organizing tasks for the different designers. Third step : This varies depending on the day's schedule. If we have a photoshoot planned, I meet with the imagery team to provide insights on the mood the clothing conveys and what we want to reflect in the photos and videos. If nothing specific is scheduled, I focus on organizing drops and designing clothing alongside our talented team of fashion designers.

What are the biggest challenges in your job ?

The biggest challenges are strategy and management. Being both demanding and fair is crucial. It's essential to stay aware of what our customers expect from us while also allowing ourselves to grow artistically. Finding the right balance between artistic expression and ensuring a minimum level of sales is difficult, and evolving to the next level is even more challenging.

What do you enjoy the most about your work ?

What I enjoy most about my work is the constant opportunity for improvement and always aiming higher. It’s incredibly satisfying to learn from mistakes but also from others.Everyone I work with brings ideas and elements that are very enriching, whether it's discovering a new style, marketing strategies, or something else. Continuously learning and seeing myself grow in my skills are the things I appreciate the most.

Do you have a memorable anecdote since working at Davril ?

The most memorable anecdote was the first time we tried to do a wash effect on our products. The factories had such a hard time understanding what we wanted it was crazy. It took us five months just to get a washed hoodie that matched our expectations. That’s when I realized that if we wanted to create more complex and interesting pieces, we would really need to train ourselves to communicate more effectively. The difference between a well-finished, high-quality product often comes down to the smallest details getting the right measurements, the right shapes, the right effects…

How do you see the future of Davril and your role within the company ?

Davril has evolved tremendously over the past few years. We have gained more artistic freedom and experience, and we’re determined to keep this momentum going to become a must-know brand for those passionate about fashion. With talented designers, ambition, a strong strategy, and a clearer artistic vision, we are set to establish ourselves in the European fashion scene and beyond. My role within the company is unlikely to change much, but what will evolve is my efficiency and creative freedom. My goal is to become a recognized Artistic Director with a distinctive creative signature while always striving for more. Ultimately, my journey has always been and will always be about living off my passion for art and expressing my vision with as few constraints as possible.

To wrap things up, can you tell me about the "trompe-l'oeil" pant that were never released ?

The original project was supposed to be released under Davril. The goal of the pants was to take an element that had performed well at Davril before I arrived (the Davril The Night jacket) and turn it into pants. I felt that the print would look odd, so we had two options: either a wash effect or paint. In the end, paint was the best choice because it had a nice texture.

Thank you so much for this interview, you did great ! It was really interesting !

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