It seems that Architectural courses often produce some of the most talented jewellery designers. In the case of MIRTA, a young Croatian label based in Zagreb, that is in fact how its story began. We have sat down with Andrea Simic who revealed more to us.
HOW DID YOU GET INTO DESIGN?
I have always enjoyed making something new, whatever it was. Naturally, the older I got, the more I realised design is something I’m very fond of. I spent a great deal of time trying to decide whether to study Architecture or Product Design. Here in Croatia, the university system isn’t very flexible in terms of changing your interests easily. In the end I opted for architecture, but still I remained hesitant about whether I made the right decision. While working on my thesis for the Architecture degree, I decided to give it a try and enrolled in Product Design as my Masters degree. Eventually I quit the school about a year later. I have realised that I learned most of the important lessons during my studies at the architecture school, and I was eager to finally start working!
WHAT HAS PROMPTED YOU TO ESTABLISH YOUR OWN LABEL?
Working for someone else, especially in the creative field, can be overwhelming sometimes. I do believe that some are better at adapting than others, me being in the latter group. :) I simply found it difficult to adjust to other people. Establishing my own jewellery label was in fact a very slow and organic process. I actually already started working on something that would become MIRTA during college. Once I realised that I like to do things my way and once I finally decided to leave my architecture job behind, there were no huge obstacles to doing jewellery full-time. MIRTA simply fulfils me. I am a creative person, but very organized, and I slowly realised that running my own design/manufacturing business was the perfect choice for me. It has turned out to be my smartest decision so far!
WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
This may sound weird but I think it’s some kind of inexplicable energy.
If I’m out of balance, I can’t produce anything, so I don’t even try.
TELL US A BIT MORE ABOUT YOUR CURRENT COLLECTION AND YOUR PLANS FOR THE FUTURE…
I’m constantly trying to connect simple and pure design with jewellery, which most of the times isn’t essential or simple and can often be over the top. All of my more recent collections are very reduced in their design language. I’m constantly moving in the same direction. My latest collection is called the Essentials. It is very primal. It includes basic items. The idea is similar to essentials in clothing; the collection wants to provide a classic jewellery base. Lately, I’m also very into using different technical aspects - trying to design some new simplified contemporary settings.
WHY THE NAME “MIRTA”?
Can I just say that it’s a word I’m very fond of, and it involves a certain dog :)?
I will have to come up with a smarter explanation though, I always get asked about it!
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE MATERIAL?
I only work with natural materials - that is my main principle. I love working with gold and all semi precious and precious stones. I appreciate other materials such as wood, marble, ceramics, as well, but mostly in architectural projects.
THE BEST PART OF THE PRODUCTION PROCESS...?
Definitely the final hand polishing when the piece is revealed in all its beauty.
WHAT IS UNIQUE ABOUT DESIGNERS IN CROATIA?
There are many designers and not a great abundance of work, so many of them have become very talented at playing the simultaneous roles of designer, investor, producer, and salesman!
WHAT DOES MINIMALISM MEAN TO YOU?
Logic and pureness in form and function.
LEARN MORE ABOUT MIRTA
