MODELER : THE SPIRIT AND LANGUAGE OF HANDS

What is your job ?

Tonio SOBRAL : " I am a modeler. It consists in receiving more or less complex plans of objects to be realized, to be able to break them down in space in order to visualize all the parts to be created and finally, to manufacture them with the adapted materials wished by the customer. It is a job that requires synchronizing the thinking and the language of the hands. I am also there to advise and to be a force of proposal when certain elements of a plan seem to me perfectible."


How did you get the idea to do this job?

"It goes back to my early childhood. At my grandfather's house, I found an old chest with dozens of tools (plane, scissors, varlope, saw...), and that's when my passion was born. What could be more wonderful than being able to create something from scratch with a few simple tools, a design idea and a little determination?
I have also been lucky enough throughout my career to meet some exceptional people. The most important one was a former boss with whom I worked for over 20 years. At first I hated this man who was terribly demanding, but even today I thank him for it and I can even tell you that he is one of the people I admire most in the world. I was able to evolve continuously from traditional modeling to highly technical modeling in one of the most beautiful workshops dedicated to the world of automobiles. We have even been able to work on Formula 1 projects where excellence lies in every little detail of the creation."


Do you have a project in mind that you particularly enjoyed?

"Each project is a new challenge where I give my all, but if I have to find one, it was a few years ago when I was working for RC Group. I was offered a series of countertop displays for Jean Paul Gaultier. In the design of these objects, it was a question of resin, plastic, metal, thermoforming, adding lights; an exciting and complete job to succeed in assembling all these elements!"


With an impressive career like yours, is there anything left to accomplish?

"I am really happy with where I am today and feel privileged to live my passion on a daily basis. However, for me, a successful career is one where the experience I have gained needs to be passed on. I look forward to finding young talent to whom I can pass the torch and keep the many skills of my craft of Fashion Design alive."