This time, our search for talented emerging designers has brought us to Warsaw, where KOPI, a young Polish jewellery & accessories brand, started. Its founder Natalia reveals more for us...
WHAT LEAD YOU TO START YOUR OWN BRAND?
Fashion and design is something I have always loved. I have been making my own jewellery for a long time, it was my hobby. At first, I studied architecture in Krakow but I did not really consider how my career would look like and it turned out that it was not the right path for me. So I took the risk and moved to Warsaw to study fashion design at MSKPU (International School of Costume and Fashion Design). I wanted to pursue something I truly loved doing. After the graduation from fashion design, I started working as a designer for various clothing brands. However, I soon realised that I need to have something of my own and that is why I created KOPI.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE JEWELLERY IN PARTICULAR?
Jewellery is very personal to me. I consider it to be a very important addition to my overall look. I never leave home without some earrings on! ;) I also find jewellery design more interesting and in the end, it is more profitable than the rest of the fashion segment.
WHAT'S "KOPI"?
I've been called KOPI since high school. It is a nickname derived from my last name, "KOPIszka",
so I thought it would be the perfect name for my own brand.
WHAT DOES YOUR TYPICAL DAY LOOK LIKE?
Not one day seems to be the same as the other one, however, it usually goes like this: I get up in the morning, I make coffee, check e-mails, check my Instagram. :) Then I head out to my studio in downtown Warsaw, check-in with my online orders, pack the parcels, talk to my subcontractors - you know, taking care of the operations of the business. Sometimes I visit the boutiques around Warsaw that carry KOPI and later on, I meet friends for lunch at some of my favourite places in Warsaw such as Krem. And even when I return home late at night, I am still working - interacting with customers on Instagram or researching for my designs.
WHAT PART OF THE PRODUCTION DO YOU ENJOY THE MOST? WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER TO BE THE MOST CHALLENGING?
My favourite part is designing and refining the first prototypes of the new pieces. The most challenging thing for me is fine-tuning the samples with subcontractors and the execution time. I am constantly looking for new solutions to produce better pieces.
TELL US A BIT MORE ABOUT YOUR CURRENT COLLECTION…
For my latest collection I wanted to do something that goes beyond jewellery - that wouldn't be your typical earrings, necklaces, etc. So I tried to make a collection with more variety of products and more things to add to your everyday look. The collection was certainly influenced by my obsession for headbands and other hair accessories. I was also trying to design a collection where women of all ages can find something for themselves.
WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR YOUR LABEL IN THE FUTURE?
I would definitely like to expand KOPI to the European market.
Also, it is very likely that I will move to Paris soon. It’s been a dream of mine for a very long time.
WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
I get inspired by vintage fashion and other arts like painting, sculpture, and photography. My previous collections were inspired by Matisse and Jean Arp. And I love people-watching! I like to watch older women passing the streets of Warsaw. With some of them I feel like I am time-travelling.
WHAT MATERIALS DO YOU USE IN YOUR PIECES?
I mainly work with brass. I just love its beautiful golden colour. I also appreciate that using this material makes my jewellery accessible to everyone, which is very important to me. However, I do work with solid gold for special orders sometimes.
WHAT IS UNIQUE ABOUT YOUR PRODUCTS?
I feel like my products already have a recognizable style.
It’s an abstract minimalism that can be worn by every woman.
WHAT'S YOUR VIEW ON THE POLISH DESIGN SCENE?
There are quite a lot of us now. A number of Polish brands are designing really beautiful things and they are attracting attention and success internationally. I believe that we, Poles, are successful because we have a strong dedication and we believe in working hard to achieve things. Also, the resources we have allow us to create products with very good quality.
WHAT ARE YOU PASSIONATE ABOUT?
I LOVE vintage fashion.
I have a nice collection of furniture and clothing.
YOUR FAVOURITE UP-AND-COMING BRANDS?
I like various Polish brands such as:
lingerie by Le Pettite Trou
bags from Atomy
clothes by LABO, edyta pietrzyk,
or Kas Kryst
WHAT DOES MINIMALISM MEAN TO YOU?
Less is more <3
