Behind the design of the brooches and earrings from Skvost is the exceptional woman Lucia Šimončič. We asked her about the milestones and the beginnings. How does it look behind the scenes of this unique brand?

While collecting information before the interview itself, I quickly learned that Lucia is indeed an inspirational woman. Her desire for beauty stems from her family environment as she comes from a family with generations of artists. She studied textiles at a private art school in Bratislava. Her next steps took her to Raffles College of Design and Commerce in Sydney where she studied design. The vision of Skvost developed in Lucia gradually, until it had grown into a brand with the ambition to expand out into the world.

What was the impulse for making your own jewellery? Did it hit you while you were studying, or did it come later?

Since I studied textiles, my way to jewellery evolved gradually. I have always been close to fashion, but the excessive competitiveness bothered me. I told myself OK, I will stay in fashion, but I want to create something that has no competition. Nowhere else in the world have I seen a concept similar to Skvost. Although I found some jewellery that was also embroidered on carpeting, it was done with a completely different technique.

The advantage of my several years of experience with textiles is that I know very well various materials and also can tell if the base is 100% sewn.

How did your studies affect you? If I'm not mistaken, you attended the school of fashion design here in Bratislava, and then spent some time in Sydney?

I graduated from a private art school and then I went to Sydney.

Where did the idea of going to Sydney originate?

When my brother Marek and I were about 17-18 years old, we were lying in front of the TV on Christmas and my brother said, “Listen to me, let's go study in Australia. It is cold here.” (laughs) And I said OK.

We went to Australia half a year later and only planned to stay there for three months. I was there for 5 years and Marek stayed there for good. First I studied language and then design.

Life in Sydney offers a completely different view of the world...

Yes, Sydney is a cosmopolitan city. In addition, there was a huge difference between the schools in Slovakia and Australia. They tried to find the unique potential in every student and developed that potential. They did not judge for what you do not know. They were not interested in knowing your shortcomings in one subject.

They focused on what we were good at as individuals and helped us find our own expression. There were a lot of us in the class but everyone was specific and unique in something and they knew how to work with that.

Because our teachers helped us get to know ourselves my self-confidence grew. When compared to students abroad, I think we (Slovaks) are more modest and although we work hard and have results, we doubt ourselves more---at least then I felt so.

Those were my best years. I was actively looking for my own way in a very inspirational environment. In my surroundings, there were strong personalities and interesting people who knew what their values were.

When you came back from Sydney, did you start with Skvost right then?

No, first I worked with my mum. She has a successful organization that, in addition to education and communication, works on many international projects. I worked first as an international event manager. I organized events in the twin towers in New York, Carnegie Hall, the UN, but also in Sarajevo, Berlin, Vienna, and all over the world ... from this I have gained valuable experience. For some time, I was the company's program director, but when I think about it, I've always wanted to build something of my own.

Skvost is unbelievably close to me and I work on it with a huge amount of love. Although the previous job was difficult, it was really interesting and I enjoyed the preparation and the events, but brooches are my passion.

Wasn’t it hard to break off from your ongoing career?

Not at all. My decision was spontaneous. I fortunately had it completely solved inside me. I stopped working because I was pregnant, expecting twins. I started with Skvost when the children were older, almost five years old. Children are only small once, but a career can be built with hard work and with focus you can do it again.

How do you combine a career and children? To combine these two elements is very difficult for women.

Anyone who has started their own business knows that at the beginning it is not only Monday to Friday, but you often work seven days a week even though it's up to you. During the weekend I go with the children to take pictures. The photographer has a rabbit, so they play. They are a part of the action around Skvost. They have a feeling that mommy is more playing than working and also they are very creative.

It's not like when someone comes home from work at four and then is finished. Rather, it's like playing with kids, cooking dinner, and when they're still playing after dinner, I can do my own things. When they fall asleep, I can go back to brooches—as long as I don’t fall asleep with them. :)

When someone has their own business, work never stops and it's only up to you, but it's your decision. With proper motivation and when things are going well, I don’t even feel tired.

How was the first brooch from Skvost created? Who was it made for?

The idea originated when I was with my friend in Tuscany when the kids were 2 years old. It was summer and we went to a concert. I was wearing my favorite silk dress. I asked my friend to lend me some jewellery, a brooch, something with taste. She gave me a beautiful, but heavy, Italian brooch that tore up my dress just a moment after I pinned it on. At that time, I told myself that I would come up with a brooch that’s light. Then I forgot about this incident for some time.

I was always making something and once I started embroidering patterns on some carpeting. It ended up looking very interesting. The end product, of course, did not even have a back side. My mother, however, was excited about it, so I gave her my creation.

When my mother started to wear it, people begin asking where it was from. At that time she told me that she thought it was really good and that I could try to focus on it. Try to build up my own brand and actually do what I have always enjoyed doing the most since childhood - creating.

Even now, when I make a new design, she asks me whether I’ll give her a brooch. With a smile on my face I tell her that she can’t wear them all, but I figured out why... Besides, liking to wear them often, she also collects them. That's why she’s even kept my first creation to this day. :)

Based on what you said, I assume that Skvost evolved gradually. Was there any breakthrough moment that accelerated its rise?

It was great when my brother Marek joined me. He sold his business in Australia and came to Slovakia for some time. I am a pure artist who does things by heart. Marek is great at handling the finances, which he studied, and together we complete the creation of our vision and direction of the company. Our most ambitious vision is that we want to succeed as an international brand. Slowly, step by step, we are trying to get closer to this goal. However, it is also very important for us both to get along with the people we work with not only as professionals, but also as people.

We're really completely different from each other even though we're twins. For example, I will bring a graphic visual that I am very excited about, and Marek will soberly review it and say that it is not exactly it. Then we have a discussion until we finally get it right.

It is amazing that we understand each other so well, that we are able to make up for our individual shortcomings together and hit our target group, which is becoming more and more numerous. I think that the fact that we are so different helps the progress of the Skvost brand very much. I also consider our mutual trust as very important.

Many start-up businesses start with partners who are similar to each other. This may distort mutual feedback and a link to reality. It is also amazing that Marek will negotiate all business conditions, handle the bookkeeping and I can fully devote myself to the creative part, the preparation of new designs and collections. Otherwise it would not work.

The fuel for Skvost is also that, so far, everything we earn is being invested back into the company. It is very difficult for us, but it works. We are also increasingly traveling abroad, where we are getting new partners.

Do you have any favorite models of brooches that are especially close to your heart?

I like a couple of designs that I wear over and over. One brooch is by far the most colorful one. My other favorite one is pure black. Then I love one piece that has been called the hedgehog. These are 3 designs that I literally "rotate."

Many times, when I make a new brooch, I want to wear it first. I want to experience how I feel, how I can combine it with clothing and how it is to wear it overall. Based on that, then I can tell more about it to my customer.

Are you interested in any information about Skvost that wasn’t covered in this article? Do not hesitate to ask. :)