On the magic of jewelry inspired by America and Asia by Elizaveta Kalinina

Tell us a little about yourself

In my 26 years I see the world not only through the prism of geography - my soul is imbued with the flavors of Cyprus, the mysticism of China and the dynamism of Moscow. But even in such diversity I always have a place for my favorite New York - a symbol of freedom, creativity and opportunity.

To describe my life in a nutshell, it is a path of creativity. However, I never thought that my passion could lead me to create my own jewelry brand. Business and creativity are two sides of my unpredictable coin, and in this combination I found not only the meaning of life and pleasure, but also the basis for an amazing business project!

Although my degree indicates completion of a law degree, I have never worked a day in that specialty. My soul yearns for art, and my first steps in the entrepreneurial world involved selling paintings and collaborating with interior designers. I enjoy the process of work and gradually started earning my first money by turning my creative ideas into reality.

Today we would like to ask you about the LHASA brand.Tell us about the history of the Lhasa brand, what were the main ideas behind its creation?

My ambition was to create something that didn't exist yet. Truly, the search for beautiful designer jewelry is not an easy task. Especially for my taste. I have never been attracted to plain cobblestones and stones. However, I love turning ordinary stones into works of art.

My dream of High jewelry by Lhasa is in progress and I believe I have succeeded in making uniqueness a reality. There are two places on earth where I feel truly comfortable - America and Asia. It is in art that I have found my true calling, especially in Asia.

Starting in Tibet, we strive to gather unique ideas, draw inspiration from different parts of the world, learn traditions, characteristics and meet people in whom the inner fire burns, whose eyes shine and whose hearts are full of passion for life and creativity. 

What is your role in the process of creating and realizing the collections?

 I handle everything from customer interaction and sales to creating unique designs. However, the true inspiration for me comes from being able to design and strategize. This is what I do with the most enthusiasm and dedication.

What materials and techniques do you use in jewelry making?

Our sources of inspiration are varied and endless, we are open to all possibilities, not subject to limitations. The only standard we unconditionally recognize is impeccable quality. There is no room for compromise in our work, only the pursuit of perfection and the highest standards of performance.

What is the main source of inspiration for the brand's collections?

At the moment my main source of inspiration is the magnificent Asia. In its unique atmosphere I find a source of endless inspiration and deep delight. The mysterious mandalas of Tibet, the exquisite minimalism of Japan, the magic and beauty of this cultural mosaic fill my work with power and beauty. Asia is not only a place on the map, but an endless source of splendor and spiritual richness that inspires me to create something truly unique and sublime.
 

What about the Lhasa team? How many people are on your team? What are the key positions?

Together with our production team, we are a total of 12 people. We are not only creative souls but also a close-knit team of professionals including production, sales, design, PR and accounting. 

How do you maintain the quality of your products? Are there any specific quality control processes in place? 

The production team and I share a common commitment to impeccable quality. We are on the same page, realizing that there is no room for compromise in our creativity. We realize that mistakes and failures are inevitable, but our main principle is the constant striving for perfection. After all, this is the path to the ideal, which we pave always and in everything.
 

What interests do your customers have in common?

They all have a love for themselves and a desire for uniqueness when they wear Lhasa jewelry. It is a quiet luxury where there is no need to prove anything to anyone. In our world, every client is a source of inspiration and every piece is a story told with love and attention to detail Plus we often work with the so-called Private Jewerly collection for private clients and fulfill any wish. 

What trends in the jewelry world are you observing right now? How do you adapt to changes in the industry?

Oriental notes and the spirit of Asia are the main trends of today. It's like I started it by going to Japan two years ago. Just kidding, of course. I always choose to create only what I myself would be proud to wear. My jewelry is not just objects, it is art that inspires, delights and highlights true beauty. They are refined, elegant and filled with perfection in every detail.

The issue of ecology is more relevant than ever. Do you have any initiatives to reduce the negative impact on the environment?

You know, jewelry in general is not about overproduction, so we're on board.
We are proud of our Organic Jewelry line, in which we use ebonite wood. This special material is strong and durable, and will not wear down over time. 
We choose eco-friendly materials for the packaging of our products. For example, the inner pads in our boxes are made of eucalyptus fiber. And for our special, more expensive cases we use natural linen. We believe that caring for nature starts with the smallest details, so even our packaging materials reflect our concern for the environment.

To conclude, we would like to ask about the plans of the Lhasa brand

The plan is not just to conquer the world, but to make it beautiful, kind and unique. When I laid the foundations of my brand, we created a slogan: "The way to diamonds is through the heart" and I want you to always remember that. For me, nobility, beauty, uniqueness and kindness are integral parts of our world, and Lhasa adds a little bit of its own special magic to the mix.

I believe that when you undertake something important, you must have a mission, not just a desire to make money. Big corporations make the world a better place, and we are no exception.