Tika

Bag maker | Barcelona, Spain

Bags that shine with creativity

Tika is a self-taught bag maker
She is inspired by nature, architecture and folding principles
She received an award at the NY Independent Handbag Designer initiative in 2014

Tika continuously evolves her leather bags through testing, refinement and close attention to proportion, construction and finishes. "After an early career in international institutions, I chose to build a practice rooted in authorship and material intelligence," she says. This decision led Tika to study fashion in Florence, and she opened her first workshop in Barcelona in 2014. Today, she designs both independent collections and bespoke handbags, and collaborates with other artists to produce unique pieces. "At the centre of my work is a constant dialogue between thinking and making. I aim to create objects that are coherent, considered and alive through use," she says. Tika's practice also involves teaching and sharing her knowledge through workshops and handbag creation courses at art academies.

Interview

©Tika K.

Why did you start making handbags?: I started making bags as an experiment while working as an assistant costume designer. I found handbag design as explorative and exciting as costume design. Even though it is a practical accessory, it is also a decorative object that allows form, material and construction to remain expressive. I like when an object can be bold, eccentric or even excessive and still function flawlessly.
How do you work with jewellery elements?: My jewellery elements are engineering problems disguised as ornaments. A closure must withstand repeated stress, so a decorative element may also carry structural responsibility, such as supporting a handle. I collaborate closely with local jewellers and metal hardware engineers who produce complex parts for luxury accessories. It is one of the most intricate aspects of my practice.
Does the Spanish tradition of leather craftsmanship play a role in your work?: I learned the craft on my own: my teachers were materials, tools and experimentation. Working in Spain was deeply inspiring and had a great impact on my practice. The presence of leather artisans, specialised suppliers and metal hardware workshops fed my curiosity. While the tradition did not define my work, the environment made my exploration richer and more possible.
How would you define what you do?: I create functional objects: handbags. I am especially drawn to projects that allow creative freedom, because that is where experimentation happens and new forms emerge. That freedom allows artistic exploration to result in a usable object of beauty that is both private and a visual statement.

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