Portrait

In the bathroom of Alice Damiens, founder of Romie Objetti

Listening to oneself and following one’s true calling can be seen as a form of self-care… After ten years in fashion, Alice Damiens traded her clothing sketches for woodworking and founded Romie Objetti. Her hands then became her most precious tool, alongside her creativity. Today, she crafts unique objects at the intersection of design, craftsmanship, and art, with profound sensitivity and an almost meditative freedom. Alice has opened the doors to her world of beauty rituals, acts of self-care, and everyday inspiration…

Tell us all about yourself

“My name is Alice Damiens. I’ve been a wood sculptor for nearly four years now. After almost ten years as a designer in ready-to-wear and accessories, I felt the need for a change of pace. I left my job quite instinctively, driven by a desire to return to something more hands-on, more tangible. That’s how Romie, Romie Objetti, was born. Above all, I needed to create things from start to finish, to have complete control over my pieces—something that wasn’t really possible in the fashion world, where so much is dictated by the industry, deadlines, and production. Wood came naturally to me, and sculpture became my language. Today, I create unique objects that straddle the line between craftsmanship, design, and art."

Where does your passion for design and wood come from?

“I grew up with my father, who is a woodcarver and cabinetmaker—and the son of a carpenter himself. So wood has always been all around me. Whether in the decor, in the home’s design, or even in the smells and the day-to-day… it’s truly a familiar material. I also grew up in a family where, if you want something, you make it yourself. Even if it’s not perfect, it will always be more valuable than something found elsewhere, because you made it with your own hands, with time, and with love. So I think it all starts there, in childhood.”

Why Romie Objetti?

“When I first conceived this project, I saw it primarily as something separate from my work as a stylist—almost a world of its own. I didn’t see myself giving it my first and last name right away. Romie is a name I’ve always loved, and I wanted to make it my own. Over time, it became a new identity—my chosen identity—the one I fully identify with today. The word “Objetti” came shortly after. At first, people often asked me what kind of objects I made, and I didn’t want to fit into a specific category. I was looking for a word that could encompass all kinds of objects, with a melodious, sunny sound. “Objetti” is a word that doesn’t exist, and that’s precisely why it gives me so much freedom. It suggests a variety of forms, uses, and an open-minded approach to creation.”

What is it about wood that fascinates you so much?

“Everything about wood fascinates me. The sensuality it exudes, the many ways it can be worked, and the contrast between its raw and polished states. It’s a living material—it moves, it reacts, almost like skin—and that’s something that fascinates me immensely. In fact, to explain wood and how it needs to be protected and maintained, I often compare it to skin. If it gets too dry, it cracks. If it gets too wet, it swells. It needs to be protected from the sun, as that can alter its colour. It’s a demanding material, but very expressive.”

Photo credit: Clara Infante

From fashion designer to sculptor of jewelry, objects, and wooden totems… What prompted this shift in materials?

“The turning point came rather suddenly. I’d been feeling the need to be in the studio, working with materials, for quite some time. My work in fashion demanded a tremendous amount of energy—energy that I increasingly wanted to devote to a personal project, something that truly reflected who I am.”

And then I had a nightmare. I dreamed that I was losing my father. I was ten years older, still in the same job, and I realized that I deeply regretted not having acted sooner, back when I was already asking myself all those questions. I felt as though I had missed out on all the wisdom he could have passed on to me.

It was a Saturday. The following Monday, I went to see my boss to tell him I was leaving. That was the turning point. It was pretty sudden, but in the end, it made perfect sense. And since then, I’ve never regretted that decision. Wood came to me quite naturally, because I grew up surrounded by it. If I had grown up surrounded by clay, paint, or some other medium, my first creative language would undoubtedly have been different.”

Photo credit: Marine Burucoa

Photo credit: Clément Gérard

There is a certain sense of fulfillment in following one's true calling…

“Yes, definitely. That’s actually what made me realize I wanted to be in the studio. Working on my pieces makes me feel truly at home, and for me, that’s essential. Of course, there are also plenty of stressful times, and sometimes even moments of anxiety. But I feel so at home here that I’m able to put things into perspective very quickly. Being in the studio helps me refocus and find my balance.”

What's your vision of well-being?

“For me, it’s essential. I find it hard to imagine feeling truly good about yourself, or happy, without taking care of yourself. And I’m not necessarily talking about just physical things, but rather a deeper kind of self-care. Listening to your body, eating healthily, respecting your own rhythms… all of that has a huge impact on your mental well-being, and you can feel it in your skin, your body, and your overall energy.”

Besides, I’ve always been pretty vain. As a kid, I loved smelling my mom’s and grandma’s lotions. I have lots of memories tied to the world of beauty and makeup. Even though makeup wasn’t really a big deal in my family, I’ve always been really curious about that little world. I loved rummaging through, smelling, and trying out everything I could find in a bathroom or makeup bag.

And I’ve always loved face masks. I have this vivid image in my mind of moms in the cartoons and movies I watched as a teenager, wearing all kinds of masks on their faces, and it always made me dream. Even today, From a little run-down, I just pop on a mask. I realize it really affects my mood, and I find real comfort in skincare.”

"I find beauty in emotion. In what brings me something positive and soothing. Anything that stirs an emotion in me is part of my world, part of my inner self, and becomes a source of inspiration."

What are your bathroom essentials?

Well, as I mentioned earlier, I have a huge passion for masks. I love the ones from Biodance, Beauty of Joseon, and eye patches by Talm. I’m also a big fan of double cleansing. After that, I switch up my toner depending on my skin’s condition: glycolic acid when my complexion feels a bit dull, or a more hydrating one. The rice-based one from Beauty of Joseon is a real favorite. My routines change a lot with the seasons, but in winter, the hot-and-cold temperature swings at the studio make my skin much more sensitive, so I’m even more vigilant about hydration and protection.

I mainly use a nourishing and protective cream, and I’ve just discovered the Rich Firming Cream from Oh My Cream Skincare, which I love. At night, I like to follow up with oils, particularly thePlumping Oil fromOh My Cream Skincare or the Skin Booster from Mimétique. And if I really had to choose just one, it would definitely be the Lip Balm by L:A Bruket. I go through lip balm at an incredible rate, and this one has never let me down. I also love the night version, with that subtle hint of orange blossom… I’m completely hooked.”

With a job as physically demanding as yours, what’s your go-to tip for taking care of your hands?

“I try to take the best possible care of my hands, even though they get damaged very quickly. I wear gloves From I can, but there are also machines where it’s prohibited for safety reasons, so we’re inevitably very exposed. Moisturizing is really essential, especially in the winter. I even sometimes sleep with cotton gloves on after applying a very rich cream for deep nourishment. And beyond skincare, there’s one fundamental thing above all: concentration. In the workshop, everything moves fast, and a moment of inattention can be enough. I’ve already cut off the tip of my little finger, and that’s a reminder of just how much this job demands constant vigilance…”

Beyond skincare, what wellness rituals do you have that help you refocus?

“To refocus myself, beyond skincare, I really need some very physical activities. Since I’m always on my feet in the studio, stretching is essential, and I need to get my blood flowing and release tension. I’m a huge fan of brushing—in every form. I brush myself from head to toe, and it feels amazing. Before or after a good shower (it depends on how clean I am beforehand, haha). And because of the dust in the studio, I also have to brush my hair thoroughly. I try to protect it as much as possible from drying out, but brushing has become a real daily ritual—the boar bristle brush was a real revelation. And after my shower, I like to do a little Gua Sha ritual on my face. It instantly puts things back in place, relaxes me, and helps me refocus.”

What small things in your daily life fuel your creativity?

“Everything fuels my creativity, really. It’s often the little things in everyday life that touch me the most. As I said, I find beauty in very simple things: a leaf, a flower, a light, a gesture. I think I have a knack for noticing what’s subtle, what evokes emotion. And that’s what inspires me every day. Then there’s also everything else I take in: I love listening to podcasts about inspiring lives, watching movies, and immersing myself in books. I also love going to the library and flipping through books on topics that sometimes have nothing to do with my work. All of this builds up, consciously or not, and always ends up coming through in my pieces.”

What do you like best about your job?

“There are so many things I love about my job, but if I had to pick just one, it would be the moment when a project takes shape in my mind. That intense moment when I’m thinking, drawing inspiration, sketching quickly, starting to cut… and when I feel like I’ve got something—it almost gives me chills.”

I truly love this job. Even though it can be physically demanding—and sometimes mentally taxing as well—because I’m often on my own handling everything. Of course, I have my father’s support in the workshop when I need it, and the support of my friends and family, but these are demanding endeavors that require a lot of energy.

And yet, I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.

“I also really love the freedom I’ve managed to build for myself, the people I’ve met through this work… and those simple moments when I’m carving, when I’m completely absorbed in my work, surrounded by wood shavings and the scent of wood. In my own little world, really. In those moments, I know that this time belongs only to me, and I realize how lucky I am.”

Is there a particular ritual or moment when you feel most inspired?

“I don’t really have a specific routine; it mostly depends on where I am. In the studio, inspiration comes more from calm, from taking my time, from something almost monastic. And when I’m in Paris, it’s the opposite. It’s the movement, the multitude of things happening in a very short time. There’s something vibrant, full of life, that excites and intrigues me. Ultimately, it’s these two very opposing energies that fuel my work.”

What's next for Romie Objettie?

“Honestly, if someone had told me four years ago that I’d be where I am today, I might not have believed them, because at first I had no idea where I was headed. I don’t have a completely set plan for the future, but I want to keep moving in this direction: creating more expressive pieces, sometimes larger and more sculptural, and letting Romie grow in a fairly natural way. I’d also like to be more open to collaborations with brands, to come up with specific projects, dialogues between my world and other forms of craftsmanship. And then, even though wood remains my primary medium, I also feel the urge to explore other materials in the future. Simply put, to keep pushing creativity.”

Photo credit: Clara Infante

“What matters to me is the uniqueness of the pieces and the love that goes into creating them. My work will therefore continue to naturally oscillate between craftsmanship, design, and artistic expression. I love this interdisciplinary approach—the fact that these worlds can come together without being strictly compartmentalized. I don’t want to pigeonhole myself into a specific category, because I find that it can quickly become limiting.”

In a world where everything revolves around prediction, control, and speed of execution, I want to do the opposite: to view my work as a free expression of my world, without too many limits. Above all, what I express is a love of materials, of imperfection, and of the act of creation. And at a time when perfection—or even the unreal—seems to be taking up more and more space, I believe I protect myself by cultivating exactly the opposite.”

Follow Alice on her creative adventures on her Instagram account@romie.objetti, and to see her sculptures, visit www.romie-objetti.com.

Alice Damiens' selection

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