When you design, how do you find the balance between experimentation and wearability? Do you begin with a concept or story, or does the material itself guide you toward the final piece?

I’m very intuitive when I create something, especially when it comes to making jewellery. Most of the time, I have a rough idea and then let the process guide me.
Something that’s been inspiring me a lot recently, for example, is deep-sea creatures. There’s something mysterious and oddly elegant about them, which I find really fascinating. I’ll visualize something about them and then just try to instinctively capture that essence.
Finding the right balance to make the pieces feel as nice to wear as possible was honestly a long process. I did a lot of experimenting with weight, detail, and size to get the best result. You need to develop a feeling for those aspects, and I’m still trying to improve with each design.
I try to avoid making things too clumsy, heavy, or fragile — those elements can make a piece hard to wear. Aesthetically, though, I never try to limit myself. I think that’s how I maintain the balance between wearability and experimentation.

PROJECT 2098 is known for jewellery, but you also explore clothing and accessories. How do these different forms of expression interact, and do they follow the same design philosophy?

The common thread between everything at PROJECT 2098 is the inspiration and influences I’ve mentioned before: biological structures, bodies, mutation, and a futuristic vibe. These elements appear differently depending on the medium, but they’re always present.
I work a lot with prints on my clothes, for example — and if you compare them to the jewellery, I think you can feel that they come from the same ethos.
In terms of specific design elements, I like to embrace rough edges combined with high-quality finishing — in both clothing and jewellery. It makes each piece unique while also tying everything together.

Many designers hide subtle stories or symbols in their work. Are there details or references in your pieces that carry a personal meaning, and how do they shape the way you think about each design?

The imagery I use for prints, or the way I shape jewellery, is often influenced by personal experiences and feelings.
There are also design elements in a lot of pieces that I’ve been using and reworking since I started designing. I like sticking to ideas and reinventing them over and over again — it makes them feel really personal.
Trying to realise ideas sometimes leads to a tacky outcome on the first try. That used to frustrate me, honestly. But over time, I’ve learned that with more attention and love, those ideas can develop into something really beautiful. Now I really enjoy that process — it gives every piece a story.
That approach feels right to me and gives the designs a sense of authenticity, I believe.

When you think about sustainability in PROJECT 2098, where does it show up more — in the materials you use, in how you produce, or in the ideas that guide the brand?

The majority of my work is made on demand, and the stock of one-of-one pieces that I keep is also quite small. That way, very little waste is created.
But sustainability also shapes my design approach. I try to avoid catering to short-lived trends and aim to execute everything at a high-quality standard. The goal is longevity — I want people to own unique pieces that they can wear and cherish for a long time.

Looking back at everything PROJECT 2098 has created so far — from the pieces themselves to the ideas behind them and the way people interact with the brand — what is the story you hope it tells in the long run?

Part of why I create so much of my work by hand and as one-of-ones is because it feels really personal. I’m really passionate about that aspect, as I feel like you don’t find it very often. That’s definitely a feeling I want people to take away from it — and something I want to keep creating.
I also love interacting with people through PROJECT 2098 in general. In the future, I want to embrace more collaboration and connect more with those who enjoy my work — it really inspires and honours me.
The inspiration I receive from people flows back into the work, which I think makes it feel more intimate than what you often see from larger, more calculated fashion brands.
Besides that, I’m excited to see what the future holds. I can’t really say how the bigger picture will eventually look — part of PROJECT 2098 is about evolving naturally. But there are a lot of things planned. I really want to push PROJECT 2098 into new territories and go all out. I’m really excited for people to see that soon.