Every morning, before the factory comes to life, Roberto is already at work. He switches on the lights, starts the pumps and compressors, and prepares the production line for another day of manufacturing sustainable Paperpaste mannequins. His name is Roberto. More than 20 years have passed since he joined Pasqual Arnella, making him today our most senior and beloved craftsman.
Roberto’s role is to inject Paperpaste into the moulds with precision, shaping each piece with the care and expertise that only years of experience can bring. Many of the mannequins and display objects produced at Pasqual Arnella have passed through his hands. Here, we share the story of his dedication, craftsmanship, and journey at Pasqual Arnella.
“I made that!”
“I’d never worked for a company before, so when I first arrived, everything felt unfamiliar. The machine was already there, and I’d watch the pieces coming out of it without really understanding how it all worked. (…) But then, one day, you walk past a shop window and spot one of our products on display. That’s when it hits you: ‘I made that!’ It’s a feeling of pride that’s hard to describe.”
Many people are surprised to learn that our mannequins are not made from plastic, but from recycled paper. Roberto enjoys seeing their reaction when he explains what they’re really made of — Paperpaste. For him, those reactions are a source of genuine pride and a reflection of the value of his work.
Memories of the craftsmen he learned from
In Roberto’s memory, the two people who led the generations of Pasqual Arnella remain very much alive: Josep Maria and Ramón.
” Josep Maria was a perfectionist who devoted himself to getting every detail right. He was meticulous with his work, making sure each mould was executed flawlessly and every piece came out consistent. Quiet and highly detail-oriented, he was the kind of craftsman who would not let anything slip past him.
Ramón, on the other hand, was a different kind of presence altogether. He was like three people in one — stepping in to make moulds when needed, handling orders, and sorting out whatever came his way. Beyond that, he was someone who naturally looked after his colleagues, always ready to help wherever it was needed.”
That artisanal spirit was passed on to Roberto. Although technology has advanced and the factory has been modernised, he still feels a deep connection each time he handles the historic moulds shaped by his mentors and long-time colleagues.
As Roberto puts it: “The old moulds were more handcrafted, more detailed. Take the cradle one, for instance: when you remove the piece and see all that detail, you realise it’s almost a work of art. You never forget that.”
The heart of the factory: towards a smoother motion
When asked what he would change if he could go back 20 years, Roberto surprises us with a candid reflection on the core of our production.
“If I could change something… I’d improve the heart of the company — the machine. People might think it already works perfectly, but I’d like to refine it a little, make it smoother, more fluid. Nowadays, the moulds are far heavier than they used to be, and the machine is under much more strain…”
The demand for Paperpaste is no longer confined to the fashion sector with its eco-friendly busts and mannequins; it has now expanded into interior design and home décor. This diversification has given rise to a wide variety of products, and as a result the weight of the moulds has increased considerably. Roberto, who understood the workings of the manufacturing machines better than anyone, observed all of this with a gaze full of warmth.
Epilogue: The journey continues
Moving in rhythm with the machinery and working with the heavy moulds, Roberto continues to play a key role in transforming recycled paper into the sustainable mannequins and display pieces that define Pasqual Arnella today. His contribution can not be measured simply in years, but in the craftsmanship and sustainability that shape the company’s identity.
“Thank you, Roberto, for walking with us for these 20 years! A long and beautiful future still lies ahead — ready to be moulded.”
