A cornucopia of creativity – The Rose Ibiza
Talented husband-and-wife design duo Claudina Damonte and Aldo Kodac bring a dose of bold creativity to Santa Gertrudis. Art, homewares, fashion and curated gifts come together in a space that is as surprising as it is beautiful.
Stepping into The Rose Ibiza is like stumbling into a secret world where colour has no bounds and nothing is quite what you’d expect. Nestled in the much-loved village of Santa Gertrudis, this eccentric Ibiza boutique is a cornucopia of exclusive fashion pieces, eclectic homewares and impressive original artworks. A devout following of fashionistas, collectors and curious minds – both local and international – has converged on this beautiful store since it opened its doors two decades ago and it remains, to this day, as magnetic and surprising as ever.
Founders, Claudina Damonte and Aldo Kodac, first crossed paths in New York City in 1989, and the pair have been on an inspired journey ever since. Together, they set off on adventures across Europe, through Spain, France and Italy, before the road led them to Goa, and eventually to Ibiza – the island that would become their home. They opened The Rose Ibiza in 2006 as an outlet for their inquisitive natures and creative impulses, and the store quickly established itself as a gathering point for like-minded people – a place to find the unusual, the chic and the beautifully unexpected.
Santa Gertrudis was the natural choice for The Rose Ibiza. One of Ibiza’s most characterful villages, its streets are lined with beloved restaurants and hangouts, all enveloped by orchards and farmland stretching into the distance. “I felt the people who arrived here would have some interest in the culture of the island,” says Claudina. That spirit carries straight through the doors of The Rose Ibiza, seeping into every corner of the space. Once inside, The Rose Ibiza reveals itself as a treasure trove of curated pieces that span far beyond the typical.
From delicate ceramics made in Vietnam and hand-woven carpets from Morocco to elegant kimonos sourced from Japan and Murano glass found in Venice – seek and you shall find. Lacquered trays of trinkets sit alongside striking décor, and standout pieces catch the eye throughout; hand-crafted and refurbished with Claudina and Aldo’s artistic touch. Each room flows into the next through colour – a visual symphony that Claudina credits her painter husband for – and it is his work, alongside carefully chosen pieces by other artists, that draws the eye back again and again to the walls of The Rose Ibiza.
Aldo’s paintings are alive with energy. Close-up, his signature sequences of dots and lines etched into thick layers of pastel and oil paint are intricate and detailed, the full impact only revealed once you step back from the canvas to take in the whole piece. Working in a style suggestive of indigenous Australian traditions, the painterly curves and shapes result in a burst of pure expression. Paintings are carefully packed and shipped all over the globe, an idea that motivates Aldo the most – the moment his work leaves The Rose Ibiza and takes on a new life in someone else’s home is as meaningful as creating them in the first place.
An array of wildly vivid hues erupts in every direction – flowing dresses and printed sets satisfyingly colour-coordinated on the rails, bold accessories laid out on tables and grand works of art presented against the rustic whitewashed walls. Towards the back, shoppers discover covetable collectors’ items hand-picked by the couple; sourced from markets, acquired through auctions and found through long-standing relationships built during years of travel. Every object speaks to their discerning eye for artisanal craftsmanship and their commitment to working solely with suppliers who share their stance on ethical and sustainable practices.
Claudina has spent decades perfecting her label’s style, garnering a legion of loyal fans who travel from all over to The Rose Ibiza to see her latest collections. Each piece is made from silk and organic fabrics, celebrating the idea that art, nature and freedom can come together – handmade in Vietnam using traditional weaving methods, Claudina eschews mass production and prides herself on the old-fashioned ways her designs are brought to life. She finds inspiration in nature, looking mainly to flowers for her petal-like designs, crafting pieces that transcend traditional seasons.
From billowing day-to-day dresses, elaborate ruffled pieces and lightweight beachwear to graceful tunics and stylish silhouettes designed for dancing, every piece is bold and dazzling – a true reflection of the feminine spirit – and designed to be multigenerational. “When I see a mother and daughter shopping together, it’s my perfect dream,” says Claudina. Having lost her own mother, it’s a sentiment that brings the designer immense joy – watching families walk through the doors of The Rose Ibiza, to browse through the rails and discover something beautiful together never fails to bring a smile to her face.
After 37 years building a life together, the charismatic couple have evolved into renowned curators of interiors, fashion and design, but perhaps most importantly, they have become central pillars of the Ibiza community. The Rose Ibiza is the fullest expression of everything they are: their travels and artistry, their eye for beauty and their belief that a truly special object can change the way a space is experienced. For those who appreciate the beauty of the unusual and the thrill of the unexpected, there is nowhere quite like The Rose Ibiza.
