"With the support of Russia, my childhood was rich. Today, Cuba is a disaster," says Osmany Laffita.
When he arrived from Cuba to then Czechoslovakia in 1987, he struggled with depression, loneliness, and the feeling that he didn't fit in with the locals. Today, Osmany Laffita is one of the most prominent figures in the Czech fashion scene and openly comments on everything from Czech taste and social etiquette to the situation in his native country. In an open interview, he recalls difficult periods in his life, talks about poverty, success, and discrimination due to his orientation, and explains why he considers present-day Cuba a disaster that will one day have to start completely anew.
Who has influenced you the most in your life?
My husband. I always used to say my mom. My mom is everything to me in life. But it's true that lately, with what's been happening to us, it's more my husband.
What was the hardest thing for you when you came to Czechoslovakia?
How should I put it? The style. Because I came from Cuba. We Latin people are completely different from people here in Europe. And it was hard for me to get used to it. In fact, it's still hard to get used to your lifestyle. Because even though I've been living here a long time, I still live more of a Cuban life.
Have you ever experienced a moment when you wanted to give it all up?
Yes. It was still during the totalitarian era, during communism. That was my beginning, and it was difficult for me. I couldn't quickly get used to everything here. I was bothered by the cold, I was bothered by... It seemed to me that your character was entirely like that...
People have changed now, but back then, we're talking about 1987, the people were completely cold. It seemed to me that you weren't happy. And all of that caused such depressions in me.
Additionally, I was young, I was 19 years old. And I wasn't very accepted either. I mean by the people who were around me, because back then due to my orientation, like being gay and all, I had a lot of problems. And that was really hard for me at that time.
So did you feel like you had to be twice as good as everyone else?
Not like better, but there was a big difference. There was a big difference in character, lifestyle, and everything. That all bothered me. That all kind of destroyed my ego. I was like at the bottom.
Is there something that poverty and lack have taught you?
You know what, I always say that a person who hasn't known poverty is lost.
Because being rich, yes, you can be rich, but the word rich has a certain meaning.
There are people who have money, have everything, and are unhappy. Their lives aren't fulfilled.
But someone who is poor, or not exactly poor – I come from a normal Cuban family. No wealthy people, no millionaires, and so on. And when you know this and then suddenly have bigger opportunities, I now live on a different level than I was used to. But then you can manage to keep everything in balance.
Someone who has known poverty and suddenly becomes rich, and then you tell them they have to go back to where they came from, they don't suffer. But someone who has been wealthy their entire life and has never known poverty, if they fell into poverty, that would be catastrophic.
What is success for you? What does success mean to you?
Success. Success is work. Success is the lack of time to create what you desire, what you will do.
According to what a person does and how they operate, success is recognized. When doing something that isn't progressing forward, it doesn't succeed. But success is several hours without sleep, several hours of work.
And so you will know that success.
What is the situation in Cuba today?
Catastrophic. Catastrophic because it has been a long time since we have had this communist system.
Communism is no longer anywhere, like in countries that adhered to communism. I don't like talking about politics, because when I check or follow the news, no one is happy with politicians. Even democratic countries have plenty of such political problems. Capitalist countries also have their problems. There are problems everywhere.
But it's true that our country should have changed the system long ago. And by them insisting on keeping it as it is, in Cuba it is already...
I think that Cuba, the day it changes - I hope it won't take too long - will have to be recreated anew. You know, completely from scratch. Because at the moment, it is devastated. It's devastated from all sides. Politically and socially.
The people already... Cuba was never dangerous. And now it is. Now, people, when they are hungry and don't have enough products...
So, there are things there. I can't say that when you go there, you won't find anything; you can get everything there. But the prices are terribly high, and the people still have the same low wages. So, it then causes huge problems. It's catastrophic. In one word, I can say it's catastrophic.
And specifically, could you say what has changed there compared to the time when you were growing up?
Well, a lot has changed.
Don't forget, my childhood and so on, that was paradise.
Because my childhood was still at a time when the socialist system was functioning around the world. Cuba had the greatest support from Russia, so we lacked nothing. I can say that my childhood was rich.
And now it is not like that. Now they have problems in healthcare, problems in education, and there aren't even enough teachers. Teachers no longer want to work. So, everything there is really chaos.
That's how I could put it. It's chaos.
And do you think the United States, led by Donald Trump, want to help Cuba?
They do want to. From what I observe, they want to reach some sort of compromise. You know, so that something can change. But the compromise is that they want the system to change.
And they don't want to change the system, so we'll see how it turns out.
Is tourism helping Cuba, or is it not in today's situation?
Tourism no longer works. Tourism cannot function when, for example, there is no electricity there because there is no fuel. Previously, we received petroleum and diesel from Venezuela, but Venezuela no longer provides anything. So there is no fuel, no electricity, and when there is no electricity, there is no water either.
I say, it's catastrophic. Catastrophic. It's indescribable.
What does fashion mean to you today?
Fashion is a part of life. Fashion is, as they say, our second skin.
There are people who are not concerned with fashion, with what is worn, with trends, and so on. But I think fashion is a part of life. How you look is your business card. You get up in the morning, how you look, how you dress, and so forth, it's a part of life. The second skin of your body.
You also say that fashion is art for you. Is there a difference between everyday fashion and art?
Be careful, I don't think fashion is art. But to create fashion, you have to be an artist. You have to know how to do it.
Because fashion isn't... Lately, I don’t like that everyone who has a sewing machine at home suddenly becomes a designer. You know, you find a new designer on every corner.
And of course, there are people who think their ego is high enough and that they know everything. And then you don't hear about them for a year, you don't see them, or they disappear.
Because you really need to have talent for fashion. It's not like you learn to draw or... Even studying won't help you with that. There are plenty of people who study, but don't have talent.
So in school, they learned technical things, technologies, and the like, but then they lack creativity. And creativity is quite important in fashion.
What must a dress have to be exceptional for you?
I think that for a dress to be exceptional, the person wearing it must know how to wear it.
Because you can make a beautiful dress and someone who doesn't know how to wear it can put it on, causing the dress to lose part of its charm.
So do you believe that it's true what they say, that you can't buy taste with money?
That's right. It's inherent. There are people who have money and buy every brand. They purchase designer clothes because they think that wearing Louis Vuitton, Armani, and the like is it.
They mix everything together and then they lack taste, lack style.
And it doesn't matter if it's branded and expensive clothing. If you don't know how to combine it, if you don't have style, then it's pointless.
Do Instagram and social networks help fashion today?
Even though I don't like it, I have to say yes. Technology is always moving forward.
When you look around, people today react and function more through social networks, Instagram, and similar things than through television. Television may broadcast, but what is most promoted and what spreads the most goes through social networks. I think so.
Do you think there is still a difference between business and fashion today, or is fashion more business than art?
For me, fashion has always been business, because I live off it. Yes, it's nice to say that I create beautiful dresses. But it's not just about that. I can fulfill clients' dreams, I can do haute couture and exceptional models, but I have to think about living.
And that is business. You have to make products that are sellable, products that are wearable. I have fashion and cosmetics, I have glasses, and those are the products that generate the money for me. New designers who only create extravagant things, oversized things, and then sell nothing, ultimately end up failing.
Fashion is business for me.
How would you describe Czech taste?
Bad. I have to say, it has changed a lot. When I came to the Czech Republic, back then still Czechoslovakia, during communism, I saw how you dressed and who you were. And how it is today, it is a big difference. It really has changed.
But I have to say one thing.
You are not the kind of nation that suffers for fashion. For Czech people, cars, houses, property, and similar things come first. They don't care about clothing as much.
And you can see it on the street. You can see it at social events, how people are dressed. Personally, and this is my professional bias, I come to a social event and observe how people are dressed. Often, they are unable to respect even etiquette.
There is a set etiquette, a set dress code, and they come dressed as they please. They have no respect for it.
So I think there is still a lot for you to learn.
Do you recall anything that really surprised you at a social event?
I think that when it is written as black tie and someone shows up in a regular suit, or wears a jacket with jeans, that's a problem. I say that the fault also lies with the event organizers. Just because someone is a celebrity, I'm sorry, but that doesn't mean they don't have to follow the rules. There's an established etiquette, a set dress code, and if you show up not adhering to it, I shouldn't let you in.
And I don't care if you're the president. I wouldn't let you in because you're not respecting the protocol.
But here, you don't do that. Here, people dress however they want. They come and they're left there.
And then it looks the way it looks.
Is there any piece of clothing you would forbid Czechs from wearing?
No, I don't forbid anything.
I watch, observe, evaluate, but these are things I can't change. I can't change the world.
People would then say that I'm the fashion police, that I criticize and tell others how they should dress. I don't have the right to tell anyone how they should dress. Everyone dresses as they wish. Everyone has their own style. So it's pointless to forbid anything to anyone. I can't forbid anything.
You are now preparing the biggest fashion show you have ever done. I saw that you teamed up with Ferrari. How did this collaboration come about?
It's a large company based in Brno. They have incredible taste. These are cars of which perhaps only five or ten units were manufactured worldwide. They buy them, renovate them, and then sell them. They mainly deal with brands like Ferrari or Mercedes.
They are my client and also my friend. We started talking and it was actually his idea. To do a joint presentation of haute couture and luxury cars. Everything is on a similar level. As I said, I'm not cheap. My designs are expensive, and these cars are also expensive.
That's why I say it will be the biggest show of my career. The collection includes 140 designs. There will be around a hundred models. The venue has a capacity of 1800 people.
And on top of that, Paul van Dyk is involved. He does huge events like Tomorrowland and other world festivals. For the first time in his life, he will compose music specifically for my show. So it will be truly amazing for the first time.
Beautiful cars, fashion, the show, and a concert. All together.
Is it connected to the fact that Havana is known for its old American cars?
No.
It's true that in Cuba it seems like time has stopped, because old American cars still drive around there. But it has nothing to do with this project.
They are beautiful car gems that you don't usually see. But the idea didn't arise because of Havana.
How would you describe the models you'll be showcasing in three words?
Oh Jesus, that's hard for me. In three words? It won't be three words.
It will be two words.
Osmany Laffita.
Thank you very much for the interview.
Thank you.
Sources: editorial, interview, author's text
