introducing victoria ~ the newest pair of hands to join simétrie's journey

i'm a little late to the conversation of international women's day for 2025, but at simétrie, every day is international women's day, as i navigate the challenges of being a woman in business within an originally male and disappearing craft. bringing my whole self to leadership as a sensitive, compassionate, and community-minded woman shapes how this atelier operates and grows. i wanted to take this opportunity to introduce my newest team member, victoria.

victoria joined the atelier last september, bringing her unique perspective and full energy to learning the craft. while she's been mostly behind the scenes – packing your orders, replying to your emails, and helping organise production so everything runs smoothly – her contribution has quickly become an essential part of simétrie's rhythm.

as we continue to celebrate women's creativity and resilience, i wanted to create space for victoria to share her perspectives on creativity, craft, and how she makes space for it. our conversation explores her journey and the bright energy she brings to everything she touches.

where did your creative journey start for you?

i have fond memories of making pasta with my sister and nonna, and creating different shapes with my food. i was always drawing or creating something, it just made me happy. 

can you share with us what your role is at simetrie?

as a production and studio assistant everyday brings something different. sometimes i am grading leather and cutting pieces for production, or i could be preparing wholesale orders and doing an instagram reel. i enjoy assisting in product development creating detailed specifications for new simetrie designs and freelance clients. it’s very inspiring to be able to contribute to so many areas of a growing business. 

what simetrie brand values align with you the most?

i’m very captivated by the way simone cultivates connections in the bespoke pieces she creates. the way she is able to honour the craft and produce beautiful timeless accessories that are still unique to each customer, is a really special experience. 

what practice or ritual sustains you during periods of doubt or creative fatigue?

escaping to nature is my favourite way to reinvigorate and de-stress. heading to the beach for a picnic or hiking with my dogs are my go-tos, especially if i’m really stuck. 

what boundaries have you had to establish or dismantle to protect your creative practice?

when i am in a creative flow, i loose track of time very easily so i’ll forget to eat or go to bed really late. it can be challenging to put deadlines or timeframes on creativity, but putting alarms on my phone and including some mindful exercises has really helped avoid burnout. 

how does your cultural heritage or upbringing inform your approach to craft or creativity?

i grew up with strong dutch and italian relatives who were always creating, repairing and customising things. from welding, painting and cooking to knitting, woodwork and gardening, there was always a project to do. there’s something very satisfying about bringing something to life that didn’t previously exist.