N. Dennis 22-10-2014 Interview with entrepreneur Anna Rusteau “Creative minds think alike” Anna Rusteau is the country’s first interior decorator and wedding planner. She is currently decorating the National Arts Council building for the opening ceremony of 2014 Festival Creole on October 24. In a nutshell how did you become an event decorator and wedding planner? I was born in Dar es Salaam in Tanzania. I came to Seychelles with my parents at the age of 14 and completed my education at St. Claire Catholic School. I got married and was involved in family life. One day I met Jemma Arrisol, a seamstress by profession, and got a job at her workshop that specialized in upholsteries and curtains. We used to make them for hotels and restaurants. It all started when I was working at the Plantation Club Hotel under the supervision of Jemma Arrisol. I had just started a career in upholstery, when I was introduced to Ali Shah, the food and beverage manager of the hotel. At the time, Ms. Arrissol and myself designed covers for all the chairs with ribbons at the hotel; it was the first time this kind of décor was put up in Seychelles. Mr Shah was a very creative man. He asked us to add some decorations to the room to make it look classy. We did it, but I really miss my partner Jemma Arrisol who passed away in a tragic road accident. When did you start your own business? Basically it started as a hobby which then turned in to a profession. At the age of 30, I started my own business as an event decorator and wedding planner. In the beginning it was a bit difficult as people were not too keen about decorations for their events as they did not feel that it as an important task. I had to introduce it slowly and now the trend has changed and people know that interior and exterior décor is essential for any event. What are the different services you provide to customers? I am a wedding planner and event decorator. The different services provided are for weddings, conferences, birthdays, anniversaries, theme nights in hotels and restaurants and baptisms. It all depends what the clients want for their events and I plan accordingly. I try to give them a very reasonable budget. I also contribute free decoration services for church events on Mahé, Praslin and La Digue. Being a well-known event decorator and wedding planner, how many projects have you accomplished? (Laughs...) I became the main event decorator of Plantation Club Hotel. The big news struck that day in 1997 that Miss World beauty pageant would be held at the hotel and that I would be decorating the event. I was in charge of the decoration and the wardrobe of 86 contestants. It was an eye opener for Seychelles in terms of decoration for an event. I was again given the responsibility to take up the Miss World beauty contest in 1998. Other projects that have been accomplished include Le Palm Residency Restaurant (ex-369), Golden Plate Restaurant, the first Carnaval International de Victoria in 2011, Seybrew’s Musical Show, this year’s National Day décor and the events of the Seychelles Tourism Board. How do you come up with new ideas and what materials do you use to create unique themes? Well, I get my ideas at night when I go to sleep and the first thing in the morning I put them down in my sketch book. I always make sure to visit the site and visualize how to transform the whole location. I use different materials: from fabric to plywood, depending on what the client is requesting. For example, if it is a balloon fair, then we work mostly with balloons and create great effects according to the theme. I ensure that each decoration is different from the others that I have done before. I also recycle materials from time to time adding new elements to it. I import my materials from Mauritius as the quality is good and affordable. How big is your team? My team is very small with five to six members who are mostly part time workers. As a team we sometimes have to work all night to meet deadlines. I am really proud and happy to have a dynamic team. Which is the most challenging project you have ever taken? The most challenging projects were definitely the 1997 and 1998 Miss World beauty pageants as I was very young and new to the job. I treasure them until today, even at the age of 57. Tell us the most enjoyable project? It was the first Carnaval International de Victoria in 2011. We had to decorate the whole of Victoria with masks and other decorations related to the theme. What advice would you give to young aspiring interior decorators? I encourage young people to come forward to join or get advice on this profession. People with creative minds think alike. Always have the strength and courage to face challenges to achieve your goals.
Posted on: Thu, 23 Oct 2014 05:28:03 +0000
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