Spot the Designer - Natasa Litvin/ Ukraine

What did you want to be when you were a child?

As a child I was a bit of an adult, as an adult I can be a child. When I was a child, I was already interested in social issues, I was interested in people's motivations, I was sensitive to topics, I asked strange questions to the delight of my parents. I was a strong interested in gems, but I also wanted to be a lawyer and a designer or a criminal psychologist.

When have you started creating jewelry? How did this passion come about?

The joy of creation showed itself at an early age, for example, towards shoes, jewelry, bags and houses. However, two stories come to mind in relation to jewelry. One happened at my grandparents' house in Ukraine, when I was about 6 years old... an emerald-cut green stone (probably glass) fell out of my grandmother's brooch. All summer, I only played with that stone... I was shining from it, I was in another world. The other one, when I made a leather bracelet for myself in kindergarten, which my mother cut off my hand during the evening bath (I cried ).

What was your first project or significant piece for you and from what point of view?

In 2015, I created the Le Toucher de Luxe jewelry collection, the colliers and accessories were also presented in Rome. I felt that I had found my strength, a hidden part of me. Series were later made for the jewelry.

How do you charge your batteries? What other passions and creative interests do you have?

I am a restless soul, a living channel, I ask questions, research, test materials, connect with the world that interests me and surrounds me. I am constantly creating, I work in my own system... it is very difficult for me to slow down, but sometimes it happens and in such cases I shut out the outside world for a long time.

What does the connection between manufacturing tradition and contemporary design mean to you?

Art, Craft and Design are also important to me. I consider traditional goldsmithing and knowledge of different alternative techniques, training, and knowledge of materials to be important. These provide a foundation. From there, the only limit is your imagination...

Is there a self-portrait piece that speaks most about you?

Intuitive nature, charismatic power, passion driven, full of vivid imagination and ideas. Driving force is the expression of self-identity and value creation, all without compromising on different materials.

Which material have you not yet used is a temptation and a challenge for you?

I know leather, textiles, metals, plastics, paper...what makes me want the most these days is glass.

How was the pandemic period for you as a jewelry designer?

Since I'm constantly working on something, there was no difference for me, I redesigned and got momentum for the future.

How do you see the future of contemporary jewelry?

I don't think you can start being receptive to the arts early enough. Within the arts, contemporary jewelry is a special language. Here you can perceive and express an idea in several dimensions: seeing, smelling, touching, feeling, tasting, even "understand" as a whole. I think the most important thing is that artists in the art co-fields connect and create new things.

Find more about the designer Natasa Litvin