ANTONINA
Brands · Jewelry
A Jewelry Brand Born from the Magic of Everyday Life
Sisters Toni and Janina founded ANTONINA, a jewelry brand rooted in attention to detail and craftsmanship. Amidst the challenges of the 2020 pandemic, they channeled their creative energy into handmade jewelry, turning small moments of everyday life into a source of inspiration. In this interview, they share the personal journey behind their brand, the influence of mindfulness, and their vision for the future.
Your path with Antonina seems to be very personal. Can you tell the story of how it all began?
T: It all started in 2020, when suddenly everything was different due to the pandemic. I was in Namibia at the beginning of 2020 for an NGO project, from where I was eventually flown back to Germany on a government repatriation flight. The office where Janina was working at the time was closed. I moved in with Janina for the duration of the lockdown and we spent every day together. The world was upside down. Everything was suddenly different. We started enjoying the little things in everyday life. Having coffee together every day, shopping at the supermarket and then cooking together as the highlight of the day. And then the we began to search for something to do: ANTONINA was born. Starting with necklaces and bracelets, our rings developed over time. Being able to make other people happy gives us a lot in return.
Your brand speaks to the magic of everyday life. Can you tell us about a recent experience or memory that has inspired you in some way?
T: A joint visit to our 91-year-old grandfather: the love he has for his garden. The joy he takes in it and which he proudly passes on to us. Every day anew, and especially now in summer, his garden brings him so much joy.
J: Yesterday I saw a couple finishing a run completely exhausted. They were high-fiving, hugging each other and just beaming with pride and joy. I pressed the snooze button at least five times that morning, was a bit too late, was annoyed about it and when I saw them, it was all good and the day got so much better.
You emphasize a slow, mindful approach to both life and work. How do you balance this with the demands of running a business in the fast-paced world of fashion?
T: If we didn't have to work on the side to finance our lives and if we had had the financial opportunity to grow a company faster, we would certainly have reached the point we are at today sooner. However, we have built up our company with the opportunities available to us, at our own pace. We are very proud that we are progressing in small steps. Always further ahead. In our fast-moving world, small steps are also possible and lead to success, we always keep this in mind.
Your rings are handmade in Berlin, a city known for its creative energy. How does Berlin influence your design aesthetic and brand ethos?
T: Design-wise, we have found a lot of people here in Berlin who share the same eye for design and therefore keep coming back to us. We really appreciate that! The handmade, unique and reparable/recycled aspects of our values are appreciated by the people around us, which means that we always come together and sometimes even create something together.
Mindfulness is often associated with the creation of art. How does mindfulness influence your design process?
J: I am a very intuitive person and I actually get the best ideas when everything around me is in order. If I have also experienced situations that I have consciously perceived in their existence and my head was where I wanted to be, namely in the moment, then my ideas sprout and result in a much clearer picture.
What rituals or practices help you to stay grounded and creative in your work?
J: To tell you the truth: I've never been good at integrating rituals into my life, because sooner or later I break them and forget how good they are for me. One of the best places to unwind and clear your head in this city is Original feelings. Even if I don't make it there often, I still feel the benefits for a long time after a yoga session. I can really recharge my batteries, clear my head and feel good afterwards by swimming. Floating in the water is so magical! I get the most energy from good conversations and people around me who are good for me. Add to that a delicious meal and a tasty beverage all is good.
Do you work full-time for Antonina or what other jobs do you have?
Unfortunately, we are not yet working full-time for ANTONINA. Toni works In finance and Janina as an office manager. Maybe that will change soon …
What is it like to work together as sisters?
J: IT IS AMAZING! … but sometimes exhausting, because in addition to a completely identical design idea, there are of course sometimes arguments and that can be very intense. The advantage here, however, is that we can honestly criticise, praise and improve. There is a lot of love and dedication involved :)
T: Being business partners as sisters is a very honest business relationship. We have been very close all our lives, we can't do without each other and yet we are very different. The differences are crucial to running a business. It's the only way to complement each other and cover everything.
Your pieces seem to convey a sense of quiet elegance. How do you maintain a clear artistic vision amidst the noise of the fashion world?
T: Here we rely completely on our gut feeling. We only realize things that we ourselves are passionate about.
J: … and it’s ALWAYS the same things that we are passionate about.
How do you balance creativity with the business side of running a jewelry label?
T: As we each have different strengths, we divide up the areas of our company. Janina does most of the creative work.
J: Toni is the most structured person I know! Super tidy and always has an eye for design while juggling the numbers.
What challenges have you faced as a designer and how have they shaped your path?
T: You will probably always encounter competition or experience products being copied. Just stick to yourself and let others do it.
J: We play the game here in a certain bubble. The Pinterest boards probably look very similar and I think it's important to see how great it is that so many people can self-actualise these days (assuming certain privileges are given, of course). We would like to adapt and expand our product ranges in the long term. Knowing that there are so many wonderful designers out there and that there will be opportunities for collaboration inspires me. Cooperation and support is key.
What does the process of creating a new collection look like for you, from the initial inspiration to the final product?
T: Talking, researching, trying out, exchanging again, implementing and trying on. We have completely intuitive ideas, colors we love and the same requirements.
What does the future hold for Antonina? Are there any exciting projects or directions you would like to explore?
J: Hopefully a lot! We are so ready for it. There is something really exciting cooking at the moment ….
And finally, what does success look like to you?
J + T: Freedom to organize our time however we want. Freedom to choose who we want to work with. Freedom to earn our own money.