How did you get started on this creative journey as a jewellery designer?
I guess it was almost a coincidence. I wanted to study set design and costume design after high school until I stumbled upon graduate works from my current studio – K.O.V. at UMPRUM in Prague led, at that time, by Professor Eva Eisler who completely charmed me. So I decided to just give it a try even though I didn’t know anything about the field of contemporary jewellery at that time. But looking back, maybe it was a good thing because I could approach it without any preconceived ideas or prejudices.
How do you stay updated on current trends while maintaining your jewellery’s unique and personal touch?
I have to admit that I am unfortunately a chronically online person – just like most of us these days, I register the majority of new trends on social media. But also in real life, I notice small details on the streets that catch my eye and make me smile, it can be a lot of different, even silly things. The work of people that surround me can be a huge source of inspiration and energy for me as well.
I try to spend as much time and concentrated energy with each piece that I am working on, no matter how small or large, since all my jewellery pieces are unique originals made by hand. When working on a custom piece, it is always super important for me to get to know the person I am creating the new piece for since I believe that jewellery can carry a huge amount of energy, symbolism and meaning despite its small size or seemingly decorative nature.
Do you have a favourite place in nature that inspires your work?
I don’t think I have a specific favourite place in nature. Actually over the years, I have come to think of myself more as a city person. I kind of enjoy the rush, buzz and chaos, but I do need to escape that from time to time and recharge, or rather switch up the energy somewhere more peaceful. Yet a lot of people tell me that my work reminds them of roots, or water – I think it happens almost subconsciously – as I tend to spend most of my time in urban areas and nature just creeps into my everyday life through my work.
Could you share insights into your new photoshoot, highlighting the key message or the story you aimed to convey to the viewers?
This small series was loosely inspired by the communities of traditional Japanese female pearl divers called Ama who used to free-dive in the ocean and hunt for seashells, not only for pearls but just for sustenance. I always admired their practice as it almost seemed to me like a kind of a sacred ritual – putting your body into a dangerous position by completely surrendering it to the element, searching for something almost unreachable, invisible, yet extremely desirable. If I could completely reimagine my life, this would be on the top of my list of things to do with it – but also maybe I am just influenced by the fact that I spent the majority of my childhood in a swimming pool.
Now, at SWARM Mag, we are focusing on the theme THE ROOTS OF TASTE. Last question: how do you remain connected to your roots while embracing the progress of your design?
As I mentioned before, I try to give a lot of my energy to all of the pieces I am creating so I hope they will never lose my personal touch and carry the relics of my previous work and progress in them – even if it should be just in the smallest of details, their frivolous nature or the admitted imperfections.
