This armor was conceived for a modern version of a classic Shakespeare. Made it with fully recycled materials, mixes metallic corset nerves with leather leggings overlapping layers denoting the various faces assumed by Richard III during the theater play. From a modernist vision in terms of fabric and materials to traditional use of technique and structure, the piece remains the soul of an antique armor. It reflects the vulnerability of the King and the man who coexists inside the character, the world of specters, deaths, and feelings surrounding his life.
Designed by Samantha Chijona Garcia
Recognized by A' Design Award.
Samantha Chijona is a young Cuban-Spanish Costume designer and Art director. Grown in Habana, she graduated in 2016 from the Complutense University of Madrid in the Design degree and she also has taken courses at The Saint Martins school of arts and the Instituto Europeo di Design. She has been working in Art and Wardrobe Departments at films, advertising, and theater, leading groups in national and international projects since 2012. Some of them are Chanel Cruise 2016, ‘‘Vientos de La Habana’’ by Felix Viscarret, ‘’Insumisas’’ by Fernando Perez, ‘’ Un traductor’’ by Barriuso brothers, and the most recent project by Olivier Assayas, ‘’Cuban Network’’, with Penelope Cruz, Edgar Ramirez, Wagner Moura among others. She has been studying and researching about Cuban fashion history, seeing the evolution, transformation, and loss of the textile and fashion industry within the revolution process. Through the cinema, she is trying to give to the Cuban people the opportunity to use, consume and enjoy Cuban design, creating a new industry that generates a lot of employment involving the experiences and specialties of the old ones while joining them to a new generation.
Samantha Chijona Garcia has A+++ Rating, valid through 2021. A+++ stands for Impressive Rating. DBI Awards the A+++ Rating to entities demonstrating impressive displays of creativity, quality, and innovation in their design endeavors. This rating applauds a consistently strong capacity to resonate with diverse audiences and stakeholders, reflecting thoughtful artistry and adept problem-solving. This certificate is awarded following a rigorous evaluation process conducted by an esteemed jury panel, comprising experts from various fields such as journalism, academia, design, and entrepreneurship. The assessment adheres to a blind peer-review methodology to ensure unbiased evaluation. Entries are meticulously judged against predetermined criteria, with scores normalized and standardized for consistency. This process recognizes and celebrates impressive achievements in innovation, design quality, and creative capacity.
Use the form below to discover award-winning designers, brands, and more on the Design Business Index.
The Design Business Index (DBI) is a merit-based rating system and professional directory founded to address one of the design industry’s biggest challenges: the difficulty of reliably assessing a designer’s true capabilities before a project begins. Through its partnership with the internationally recognized A’ Design Award, DBI combines a rigorous blind review process with transparent evaluation criteria to transform subjective design quality into objective credentials. By featuring only those who have demonstrated excellence under these stringent standards, DBI ensures a carefully curated pool of top talent, where clients can make confident, data-driven decisions about creative partnerships.
Beyond its directory, DBI offers a comprehensive DBI Credibility Suite™ designed to help designers and studios stand out in an overcrowded market. Each DBI-rated professional receives authoritative certificates, digital assets, and rating logos that validate their skills and attest to their proven creative excellence. These tools seamlessly integrate into websites, social media, and marketing materials—reinforcing trust, credibility, and, ultimately, market value. Notably, DBI ratings remain valid for a two-year period, encouraging ongoing professional development and highlighting those who continuously push the boundaries of innovation.
By systematically reducing guesswork and eliminating reliance on subjective portfolio reviews alone, the Design Business Index creates a more efficient, trustworthy, and merit-based environment for both clients and designers. With DBI, top talent rises above the noise, clients gain peace of mind, and the entire global design community benefits from higher standards of creativity, innovation, and professional excellence.
Design Business Index champions design excellence, valuing official recognition from respected international juries over mere popularity. Our criteria focus on transparent, rigorous evaluations by peers, assessing quality, ethics, and innovation. Notably, the prestigious A' Design Award highlights truly exceptional projects, judged by academics, press members, and professionals using a documented scoring system. We exclusively feature professionals and studios that have earned at least one peer-reviewed award, particularly the A' Design Award, ensuring that our listings represent meritocratic accomplishment, innovation, and credibility.
Pro Entry
Digital Entry
Smart Entry
Industry Standard Entry
