Romero Britto has never been particularly interested in keeping art within the confines of a gallery. Over the years, the Brazilian artist has taken his unmistakable visual language, bold outlines, geometric patterns and exuberant colour, far beyond the canvas, finding new expressions in sculpture, design and everyday objects. His belief that art should be accessible to everyone has shaped a career built as much on collaboration as on painting.
His latest partnership brings him together with Nayla Haddad, founder of Dubai-born lifestyle brand One of a Kin. Rather than commissioning an entirely new work, the two chose to revisit Britto’s existing imagery, exploring how his familiar characters and compositions could find a different expression through the brand.
It is a collaboration that raises an interesting question: what happens to art when it becomes part of the objects we live with? For Britto, the answer is simple: the more people art reaches, the greater its potential impact. And both collaborators are already imagining what might come next, from a bedroom conceived around art and colour to a wider collection for the home.
Marie Claire Maison Arabia speaks with Romero Britto and Nayla Haddad about artistic identity, creative collaboration and the possibilities of taking art beyond the canvas.
Romero, you’ve seen your art take so many different forms, from paintings to sculptures and everyday objects. Is there anything you haven’t designed yet that you’d love to?
Art has taken me to places I never imagined when I first started painting. What excites me now is how much further it can become part of everyday life. With One of a Kin, we’ve brought art into something as personal as what you wear at home. I’d love to take that a step further and imagine an entire bedroom where art, comfort and color come together.
When Nayla approached you, what made you say yes? Was there something about this collaboration that particularly interested you?
I’ve always believed that great collaborations begin with a shared vision, and I saw that immediately in Nayla and what she’s building with One of a Kin. It’s a young brand from Dubai, but one with a very clear identity and a strong connection to its community. As my first collaboration with a Dubai-born brand, I wanted it to be something meaningful. The quality, the ambition and the people behind it made this a natural fit.
Your work is instantly recognizable. When you collaborate with someone, how much freedom do you give them to play with your artistic language?
My art has always had its own visual language, and I think it’s important to stay true to that. For me, collaboration is about finding new ways to bring that language to life, whether it’s through fashion, design or something entirely unexpected. I enjoy exploring those possibilities with partners who bring their own expertise, while making sure the spirit and identity of the art remain at the heart of everything we create.
Do you think art loses something when it becomes a product, or does it gain something by reaching more people?
I’ve always believed that art should never be limited to galleries, museums, or the homes of collectors. Art has the power to inspire happiness, hope, and love, and the more people it reaches, the greater its impact.
Throughout my career and as the founder of The Happy Art Movement, I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with iconic global brands such as Disney, FIFA, Hublot, Bentley, Coca-Cola, Dolce & Gabbana, Skechers, Mattel, Absolut, Puma, and many others. From fashion and automobiles to lifestyle products and real estate developments, these collaborations allow me to bring my happy art into people’s everyday lives, and to inspire audiences around the world.
We’re curious about your own home. Are you surrounded by your work, or do you prefer living with other artists’ pieces?
Home should reflect our personalities, memories, and the things that bring us happiness. I love being surrounded by art and creativity. In my bedroom, I have some of my own artwork alongside pieces by other artists, including Picasso. For me, art is a constant source of inspiration, joy, and happiness.
We then turn to Nayla Haddad to discover how the collaboration came about and what it meant to bring Britto’s artistic universe into One of a Kin.
Nayla, of all the artists you could have worked with, why Britto?
I didn’t want to collaborate with an artist simply to put a recognizable name on our pieces. It had to make sense for who we are. Romero’s work has this incredible ability to make people feel something before they’ve even had time to think about it. That’s what drew me to him. At One of a Kin, we’ve always believed that what you wear at home can influence how you feel. Bringing his art into that experience felt like a very natural extension of our philosophy.
How did the collaboration actually work? Did you start with his existing artwork, or did you develop something new together?
We actually started by exploring the idea of creating something entirely new. But as the process evolved, we realized there was something much more powerful about celebrating Romero’s existing work. His characters are iconic for a reason. Rather than reinventing them, we wanted to give them a new canvas. The challenge became how to bring that bold, expressive world into pieces that still felt unmistakably One of a Kin.
Was there anything you wanted to do with his work that he wasn’t quite convinced about?
Surprisingly, no. And I think that says a lot about the collaboration. We both came into it knowing what we wanted to protect. For Romero, it was the integrity of his art. For us, it was the quality, comfort and identity of One of a Kin. Once we established that, the creative decisions became much easier. Neither side had to compromise on what made their work special. What Comes Next?
Finally, we ask them both to imagine what they might create together next, with no limits.
If you could create absolutely anything together next, with no limits, what would it be?
Romero Britto: I’d love to create an entire world around this collaboration. We’ve started with what people wear, but imagine bringing that same energy into the spaces where families spend their most personal moments. A home filled with art, color and pieces that make you smile every day.
Nayla Haddad: For me, it would be taking One of a Kin beyond the wardrobe and into the entire home. Bedding, robes, pieces for every member of the family. We’ve always wanted to make everyday comfort feel special, and I think there’s so much more we could explore by bringing Romero’s world into that experience.
