The son of a grocery store owner in Minas Gerais and raised in Sao Paolo in Brazil, Claudio Faria brought an appreciation for design and entrepreneurship when he arrived in Miami in 2007 and set up Ornare’s first US showroom.
The idea to come to Miami with the business was founded while he was attending University of São Paulo for international relations. As a project, he wanted to explore building a Brazilian brand abroad. He ventured with Ornare, because he recognized it as already the most important brand in Brazil for kitchens, closets and bedrooms with a desire to expand internationally. He identified with the brand’s community and environmental initiatives and saw value in bringing those along with the brand to the US.
He set up Ornare’s first showroom in the Miami Design District, years before the fashion brands and other popular retail arrived. Citing great potential for the neighborhood and recognition of Craig Robins’ vision for it, he believed the same goals for the district and Miami as an international design and retail destination. Having started with a team of three, Ornare Miami now employs over 35 people full time in Miami.
Claudio’s leadership with Ornare Miami contributed to the recognition of the Design District among the Brazilian clientele and further establishing it in Miami as a center for the industry. Ornare grew with the neighborhood and drew a lot of attention to it as well—throwing events and participating in things like Art Basel.
A long-time supporter of the Miami community, Claudio Faria and Ornare have supported many local organizations, charities, designers and businesses. Ornare played host sponsor to Fashionably Conscious for Coconut Grove Cares and The Barnyard Community Center. More recently it has supported Perez Art Museum Miami sponsoring a Brazilian art exhibition and promoting it to the community. He also had the brand support events with Miami International Film Festival, Brazilian Foundation, and countless others.
Claudio placed special attention and focus on supporting local business owners, interior designers, architects, brokers and developers. With those clients, he celebrated and sponsored their work in events, ads, editorials, and other campaigns to support their growth and success in the market.
Claudio maintains continued passion to bring the quality and service of the Ornare brand to the US market as it expands across the country, along with its culture for community outreach. They will be opening two new stores under Claudio’s leadership, in Palm Beach targeted for the first half of 2023 and in Naples by 2024.
