As Gail has mentioned in a previous post, Ndau has added two new designers to their already talented line up - one of whom is Devon Stewart, who I've already blogged about. The other is Tato Louizidis and here's some information about her background and inspirations and of course, some pictures of her creations!
"Tato was born in Yerevan, Armenia but grew up in Harare, Zimbabwe. Having a father who is a jeweller, she was exposed to and inspired by jewellery and gemstones from a young age. Pursuing this dream, she then went to study jewellery design and manufacture in Cape Town, South Africa for 3 years and did a further course in diamond grading and evaluation. After studying and working in Cape Town, Tato has now moved to Victoria Falls to work as a jewellery designer at the Ndau studio.
As a child, her interests have always been fairytales and fantasy. Her world was one of fairies, mermaids, pixies, unicorns, princesses, dance, colour and love stories; and it is this same love of fantasy that inspires her today. At 24 years old, her tastes and interests are defined by her childhood world and she strives to find fantasy in her surroundings and world today.
Her designs are feminine, intricate, creative and romantic; with each piece translating a story to the wearer. Her design method is to pick a theme that inspires her and create a range to represent this.
Having a Greek father, Tato was surrounded by Greek myths and legends from an early age and soon fell in love with the magic of Greek mythology. This was her chosen theme for her final year body of work and dissertation to which she wrote a personalised story book of her favourite myths from her point of view and created jewellery to represent each story.
Arachne's curse
Narcissus' vanity
Narcissus and Echo
Echo, water nymph
Daedalus and Icarus' flight
Pandora's box
Phaeton & Apollo
Eros' love games ring
Eros' love games necklace
Aphrodite's pearls necklace
Aphrodite's pearls earrings
Everlasting love
Birth of the seasons
The ever changing seasons
Demeter, Goddess of agriculture
Argus' 100 eyes
She has also brought to life a timeless classic - A Treasures of the Ocean range. Since moving to Victoria Falls and being exposed to ethnic African art and wild surroundings, Tato has been inspired by the beauty of the mighty Zambezi and has chosen a feminine take on the mother of all waterfalls - a range of lilies indigenous to the Zambezi. (as seen on our Facebook site)
Currently, she is stirred by a world that glitters: the age of cabaret and burlesque, and is creating a range to suit this theme with a modern twist. Expect feathers, beads, ribbon, lace and gemstones."
Tato has brought a fresh delicacy to the Ndau range and having had a sneak peek of the new burlesque range, all I can say is watch this space...
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