Colombian-born floral artist and event designer Raúl Àvila has a gift for transforming spaces into immersive experiences. In his approach, flowers are never just decoration, but a thoughtful means of storytelling and human connection. At the heart of Àvila’s practice lies a philosophy that embraces nature’s ultimate impermanence. He rejects heavy manipulation of materials, instead seeking harmonious surrender to their natural beauty and imperfections.
For decades, Àvila has contributed to the Met Gala stage design. His compositions have consistently elevated the event’s themes—most recently for the 2026 edition, “Fashion is Art,” where he drew inspiration from the landscapes of Northern Italy and merged Renaissance grandeur with tactile warmth. Carefully choosing references and elements of scenography, he creates an elegant dynamic that accentuates what the event is about. In this conversation with hube, Àvila reflects on his journey in floral artistry, the evolution of his craft, and the future of experiential design.
hube: What first drew you to the world of event design and floral artistry? Was there a particular moment, place, or experience that was especially formative?
Raúl Àvila: A single, transformative presence shaped my journey into this world: my late mentor, Robert Isabell. Meeting him was the defining crossroads of my life. Robert didn’t just teach me the technicalities of floral composition; he unlocked my internal creative voice and instilled in me a deep, boundless passion for the art of floristry. He taught me to look at space not as a void to fill, but as a canvas for emotion and atmosphere. Under his guidance, I learned that flowers are a medium through which we can express the grandest human sentiments.
h: You’ve incorporated elements like Colombian roses and orchids into your designs. How important is it for you to weave your Colombian cultural heritage into your work on global stages?
RÀ: It is profoundly important to me. Colombia is woven into the very fabric of who I am, and to bring that heritage to the global stage is both a privilege and a duty. Our soil yields some of the most spectacular florals in the world, nurtured by a community of incredibly passionate artisans. My ultimate goal is to illuminate the vibrant tapestry of craftsmanship that Colombia has to offer, giving our culture the spotlight it richly deserves on the world’s most prestigious stages.
