C
yprus-based designer, jeweler and micro-sculptor, Maria Kotsoni, is fueled by her island’s rich, cultural history. Inspired by her love of nature, traces of her fascination with archaeology, philosophy and contemporary travel can also be seen in her impeccably crafted designs. With a BA Hons from Central Saint Martins in London, Maria garnered years of experience as a bespoke designer before launching her eponymous brand in 2016. We caught up with Maria for a day in her life in Nicosia, where her workshop and showroom are officially based, to discover this coveted designer does an amazing job of creating work/life balance while also embracing the beauty and culture of her hometown.
Inspired by her love of nature, traces of her fascination with archaeology, philosophy and contemporary travel can also be seen in her impeccably crafted designs.
Image courtesy of Maria Kotsoni
6:00am: A new day begins!
Getting up before everybody else does to enjoy a bit of quiet time, review new designs and organize my thoughts for the day while sipping on my homemade herbal cocktail.
Image courtesy of Maria Kotsoni
7:30am: Children are off to school and so am I for a brisk walk by the river to get the blood flowing and clear the mind. Nature has a calming effect on me and the linear park alongside the river, just a few minutes drive from home, is very convenient for my busy days in the city.
Image courtesy of Maria Kotsoni
9:15am: Dropping by the workshop to review work in progress on the Spiked Smiley and Spike array bracelets both new additions to my Spiked collection.
Image courtesy of Maria Kotsoni
Image courtesy of Maria Kotsoni
Image courtesy of Maria Kotsoni
Image courtesy of Maria Kotsoni
Image courtesy of Maria Kotsoni
10:30am: To the showroom making calls to associates and working on new designs. Our showroom is situated in the historic old center of Nicosia, within the medieval walls, an area which I find inspiring for its cultural value.
Image courtesy of Maria Kotsoni
1:30pm: Home for lunch with the family, cooking orange lentils with Olive oil, onions, garlic, fresh Tomato, Coconut Milk, spices and fresh coriander served with Basmati Rice, a favorite vegetarian meal for all.
Image courtesy of Maria Kotsoni
3:30pm: Children’s afternoon activities drop offs are mostly taken care of by my husband for which I am grateful!
4:30pm: To the showroom for an appointment with a customer who is interested in viewing some of our latest designs.
Image courtesy of Maria Kotsoni
Image courtesy of Maria Kotsoni
Image courtesy of Maria Kotsoni
And more calls reviewing progress on cad designs for new rings in Intersections collection.
Image courtesy of Maria Kotsoni
Image courtesy of Maria Kotsoni
Image courtesy of Maria Kotsoni
8:00pm: Home after Children’s last pick ups from afternoon activities and some family time.
9:40pm: As Children are off to bed, I get on a long-distance call with an associate in L.A. and eventually begin to unwind.
When my mind is relaxed, I often get new ideas for designs which I must put down on paper, in my little sketchbook, always in my bag and never leaving my side.
Eyes finally get heavy. Until tomorrow!
You May Also Like
-
A Day in the Life of Tini Courtney of HOWL
Born in New York City, raised in Miami, Tini Courtney, the designer behind HOWL, currently lives in Los Angeles. Juggling being a mom, an artist and an entrepreneur,...
Read Now 2 Min Read -
A Day in the Life of Francesca Villa
While 2024 marked Italian designer Francesca Villa’s COUTURE debut, her history of creating exceptional jewelry dates back decades. Born in Liguria, a drive for a cosmopolitan lifestyle led...
Read Now 2 Min Read -
A Day in the Life of Tariq Riaz
Tariq Riaz Jewelry was born from a desire to solve a problem and evolved into saying “no” to mediocrity and embracing a unique and authentic approach to the...
Read Now 4 Min Read