As far as we know, your first career choice was diplomacy, which you studied before switching to arts and design. What prompted this switch?
I′ve taken quite a journey before finding jewelry. After university, I tried many different paths - interior design, real estate, even the diamond business. I was looking for something that felt practical, that would give me satisfaction in what I was doing, and also give me independence.
And then I started designing jewelry and something just clicked. I realised this was what I was meant to do. Creating and shaping beauty with my own hands gave me the energy and freedom I′d been searching for, and from that moment on, it all made sense.
Tell us about your first steps in jewelry design. How long did it take to find your footing and develop your own style?
My first steps in jewelry design were very simple - I had no team, no skills, just a few diamonds on my table. I played with them, found shapes that felt balanced, and created my very first pair of earrings.
People loved them, and I realised this could become something bigger.
For a few years, we stayed with these classic pieces - simple and beautiful - they had value and amazing craftsmanship but they didn′t yet have a story or a real identity. We hadn′t developed the style we are known for today.
The real turning point came during a trip to the Musée d′Orsay in Paris, when I saw the sculpture Les Nubiens by Ernest Barrias with a beautiful crocodile. I instantly saw the perfect shape for earrings, sketched them as soon as I got home, and they became a huge success. That′s when I knew - Orlov needed its own identity, something bold and unique.
From that inspiration, our iconic Croco Dream Collection was born, and today it′s the heart of our brand.
You entered a competition against all the famous fashion houses with their jewelry lines, plus tried and tested jewelry brands. Weren′t you intimidated? What gave you confidence to believe that you can fit in and create something original?
Yes, of course I had fear in the beginning - these brands have so much heritage and experience - but I didn′t let that fear stand in my way. If you′re authentic and truly passionate about what you′re doing, nothing can stop you. I admire those houses, but they only inspire me to grow and to stay true to my own vision.
What was the most surprising aspect of working with jewelry you didn′t foresee or know about before you had started to do it professionally?
What I didn′t know at the beginning is that the hardest thing to design is actually the simplest piece. It takes so much skill, creativity, and imagination to make something small, affordable, wearable, and still special.
Designing a very expensive piece is actually easier, because you are not limited by materials or budget. But when you create an entry-level piece, you are limited - you have to think about everything: the weight, the carats of gold, the price and still imagine and create something special. As Leonardo da Vinci said, simplicity is the ultimate sophistication - and I completely agree with that.
That balance - to keep it beautiful, meaningful, affordable, and wearable - is one of the biggest challenges, and one of the most surprising things I learned about jewelry design.
Can you describe your creative process - how you form and materialize your ideas, match them to particular motives, metals and stones? What does it mean to you to work in partnership with your husband and how does it work?
For me, inspiration always starts with nature: a beautiful shape, a pattern, a texture. The moment I see something that speaks to me, I start imagining how it could become a piece of jewelry.
When I design, I follow my own little rule. Every piece must have three things: emotion, proportion, and surprise. It has to feel balanced and sit beautifully, but there should always be an element of surprise, something that makes people turn their heads. And above all, it has to be meaningful - a piece with a story, something that carries emotion.
Working with my husband is very special - it′s both a gift and a challenge at the same time. We share the same dream and build it together. We each have our own areas of responsibility: I′m a head of design and he is responsible for production and sourcing. As long as we don′t interfere with each other′s part, everything works out perfectly. He′s an amazing partner and always so supportive. I′m truly happy that we do business together - and it′s never boring.
DON′T LET FEAR OR CHALLENGES STOP YOU
What does jewelry represent in the modern world and for you personally?
Jewelry speaks for you without saying a word. It shows your style, your personality, your status. It holds true value and carries your memories, becoming part of who you are. And especially with our Croco Dream Collection - the crocodile is such a symbolic animal. It feels like armor, a kind of protection for the woman who wears it. In a way, any piece from the Croco Dream Collection can serve as a talisman, a symbol of strength and protection for its owner.
Can you share some tips and observations for women who want to have a career in design?
If something feels like your passion, don′t wait or overthink - just start. Learn, build your skills, try, take risks, make mistakes, and let them teach you. Don′t let fear or challenges stop you. And don′t worry about rivals. Let them inspire you, but stay true to your own vision. That′s what will make your work stand out.
