SKAGGS

An interview with NYC’s self-titled Mexican Socialite, Set Designer and style guru Manuel (Manny) Norena. From his colorful upbringing in Mexico (think bodyguards and palatial digs) to the calm of Salt Lake City, Manny tells us about his work, his loves, and his sizzling-hot tips on doing Summer Manny Style. Plus, he dishes the dirt on working with SKAGGS. Yes, we’re brave enough to publish it. Just remember, you heard it here first!

Manuel Norena AKA Manny AKA The Most Remarkable Set Designer in New York City — tell us about yourself!
My name is Manuel Norena and I’m located in Downtown Chinatown in beautiful New York City. I love the craziness of China Town and how nobody speaks English and the fact that I can actually leave my house and not get recognized. [We forgot to add Manny also moonlights as a celebrity about town—Ed.]

How did you begin you career in Set Design?
My dad was the first musician- and artist-sponsor of his kind. Meaning that he ensured that artists could get sponsorship deals from mega brands like Pepsi and Coca-Cola. My Uncle is like the Frank Sinatra of Mexico, so you can imagine how life must have been.
In the early 1980s there was a scandal that meant my family had to flee Mexico and the Mexican government. It truly was a rags-to-riches tale. One minute we had a private jet and bodyguards, the next we were wondering where the next meal was going to come from! I guess sometimes life gives you lemons… I learned a lot and instead of letting it get me down as a child… I made the bubbliest, fizziest lemonade possible!

At 16 I was scouted as a model in Utah by Dan Arsenault. He introduced me to the fashion and beauty industry, where I got the chance to travel extensively and shot with renowned photographers like Matthias Vriens and Craig McDean. My modeling took me to Europe and whilst there I attended the University of Westminster, where I studied Pre Law and Psychology. My modeling career was really taking off, however after a year or so I had to leave. After a brief stint in Tokyo, I eventually settled in Utah again and began throwing parties during SunDance Festival. I was scouted again by IMG who brought me to New York City. I met Donnie Myers on a shoot and he introduced me to the world “behind the scenes of fashion and beauty.”

Donnie is an amazing set designer, and I worked as his assistant for a period of time and learned a lot. He and I eventually became partners. A few years later I decided to explore a different avenue and started my own company—Manuel Norena Studios—which entails set design, production design, and art direction.

To date what has been your most memorable project and why?
My most memorable project would have to be for Clinique. I’ve had the opportunity to work on ads that reach the global masses for a company that is constantly changing the beauty industry. I worked with some of the best photographers, art directors, and creative directors in the world. I cannot believe that someone my age could work with people of such caliber, this is an industry I’ve admired and respected for years, and suddenly I’m working in it, with a large amount of creative control and input.

Manny, you’ve worked with clients of all stature and in almost every industry. In your opinion, which industry is the most inspiring and why?
The beauty industry is constantly changing and influencing people around the world. It is evolving at an exponential rate, and is becoming more socially and environmentally conscious, focusing on the production of products that are environmentally friendly and concentrating on emphasizing people’s natural beauty. It was astonishing to me how in the beauty industry we predict and (in some respects) control the colors that women and young girls will be wearing. That blows my mind! Just like how the financial markets control what happens in the world…one could say that we are the Wall St of beauty.

SKAGGS worked with you on the most recent TOTO Campaign and the previous award winning TOTO Collection campaign. What’s one of the most interesting things you learned about us?
The beautiful relationship and ridiculous amount of creativity among the SKAGGS family. You have the output and talent of a huge global company, yet you never forget who you are as individuals.

If you could design a set for anything with an unlimited budget, what and where would it be?
I would love to do X Men 4. It would be filmed in locations, oceans and deserts all over the world and maybe even space. No movies have ever been done in space, aside from the vintage of clip of man walking on the moon… Richard Branson, if you’re reading this, please call me if you’d like to do a movie in space!

As a Downtown Darling and self confessed “socialite” you’ve got your finger on the pulse of some of NYC’s hottest spots. Can you tell us about your favorites?

SubMercer-for an exclusive crowd with great music. If you don’t know where it is then you don’t belong there

Lure Restaurant- for nights full of caviar and champagne

Santo’s House Party- for after hour nights full of decadence, dance, and FUN

Name 5 of your favorite things
-NYC!
-Diamonds and Caviar
-My crazy glamorous and eccentric parents who have helped me in every way
-My beautiful, diverse, and dramatic group of friends
-Montauk in the beach cottage, in the summer of course!!!

Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?
Still in this great Metropolis that is New York City, running my Empire and maybe with a mini Manuel. I’ll still be exploring the many different facets of the business, and would like to live happily ever after- like Cinderella, except of course much more fabulous

View more of Manuel Norena Studio’s website, to see more of Manny’s fantastic work.