Tika

Leatherworker

©Tika K.

Bags of creativity and invention

Tika is self-taught and is never afraid to take-up a challenge
She is inspired by nature, Barcelona’s architecture and origami
She was the recipient of an award at the NY Independent Handbag Designer initiative, 2014

Tika’s studies in business and economics landed her a job at the United Nations headquarters in New York, however this did not prevent her from carrying on her passion: making clothes and items with her hands. A gift she made for a colleague opened her doors to a more creative position and prompted her to study fashion design in Florence: a new career was born, and a childhood dream came true. Tika moved to Barcelona in 2001, initially designing costumes for the National Theatre but privately designing and making handbags. She set up her first workshop in 2014 and since then has never stopped – experimenting, researching, truly inventing handbags – whether it is for her own collection, for third parties or for bespoke projects in collaboration with clients.

Interview

©Tika K.

©Tika K.

Why did you start making handbags?: I have asked myself this question often – creating clothes or theatre costumes can be equally exciting, but the answer is that there is something special about handbags. They hold what a woman needs to have by her side and values most, reflecting at the same time her personality.
Some of your handbags have a jewellery element, how do you incorporate it?: I make my bags entirely by hand, and I design and commission the metal elements and the jewellery that I adorn them with. In the bespoke pieces there is always close collaboration with the client, I interpret their requests, my craft is mixing a conventional approach to a handbag with novel and artistic skills.
Are you continuing the Spanish tradition of leather craftsmanship?: Indeed, this has been a great influence in my work. In Spain there is a wonderfully rich variety of leather types and colours available. One of the first steps in my creation process was to weave handbags, upcycling discarded leather.
How would you define what you do?: Exclusive design and making of luxury handbags and accessories. I devise my own collection as well as makes prototypes and manufacture for third parties. What I most enjoy is the one-of-a-kind commissions by private clients, closely collaborating with them – and witnessing their joy when they receive their order is the most memorable moment for me.

Tika is a master artisan: she began her career in 2001 and she started teaching in 2017