Barbarella: The Elegance of Porcelain Jewelry

Discover the exquisite world of porcelain jewelry crafted by Belarusian designer Olga Anashkina, the founder of the Barbarella brand. Her stunning creations have earned the honor of being exhibited in the Diamond Fund of the Russian Federation. In this exclusive interview, Olga shares her journey, inspirations, and the challenges of working with porcelain.

The Story Behind the Brand Name

Contrary to popular belief, the brand name Barbarella is not inspired by the legendary Barbara Radziwill or the iconic fantasy film. Instead, it draws its name from Olga’s daughter, Varvara. During their frequent travels, border control officers would often exclaim, “Oh, Barbara!” upon seeing Varvara’s name in her passport. This charming mispronunciation, combined with the affectionate suffix “ella,” gave birth to the brand name Barbarella.

The Barbara Radziwill Collection

The idea to dedicate a collection to Barbara Radziwill came later in Olga’s career. She wanted to create jewelry with meaning, moving beyond simple geometric shapes to designs inspired by significant and beautiful historical figures. Olga delved into the history of Belarus, visiting historical sites and studying books, which led her to the captivating story of this legendary woman.

Working with Porcelain

Olga’s journey with porcelain began by chance. Initially, she worked with wool for felting, creating felted slippers and other items. However, this “woolly” period was merely a stepping stone to her true passion. While crafting a kitten from polymer clay, Olga discovered her love for this material. As she sought to participate in international exhibitions, she realized that polymer clay had its limitations, prompting her to explore new materials. This quest ultimately led her to porcelain.

Working with porcelain is no easy task. Unlike other materials, there are no readily available online tutorials or guides. Mastering the craft requires immense effort, experimentation, and dedication. Olga’s workspace, a dedicated room in her apartment, allows her to immerse herself in her work for long hours, often late into the night.

The Art of Porcelain Jewelry

Transforming porcelain mass into elegant and refined jewelry is a complex and time-consuming process. It involves numerous steps, from creating a slip (liquid porcelain) to pouring it into plaster molds, extracting the piece, processing it, and subjecting it to three stages of firing. This intricate process demands patience and skill, with the first few years dedicated to honing one’s craft.

Olga’s training began with Ivan Arkadievich Grabovenko, a master from Moscow, who introduced her to the secrets of porcelain at the “Ivan-Tea” Porcelain School. The rest she learned through experimentation, working with different types of porcelain, glazes, precious metals, and findings.

The Barbarella Style

Barbarella jewelry is designed for the modern woman who appreciates tradition. While porcelain is a classic material, Olga infuses it with a contemporary touch. She stays attuned to new trends, incorporating elements that resonate with her into her designs. Using current findings, baroque pearls, and stones, Olga creates pieces that are both timeless and fashionable.

Barbarella jewelry falls into the demi-fine jewelry category, bridging the gap between expensive fine jewelry and costume jewelry. This segment is relatively new but rapidly gaining popularity. As a pioneer in Belarus, Olga is at the forefront of this exciting trend.

Inspiration and Influences

Olga draws inspiration from various sources. She listens to audiobooks and classical music while working, with recent favorites including works by Camus and Rabelais. Medieval painting also captivates her, despite its complexity. Travel, particularly to Italy, fuels her creativity, as do fashion trends that add a contemporary flair to her pieces.

However, Olga’s most significant inspiration comes from her clients. Their unique stories and passions ignite her desire to create, leaving her with a sense of novelty and pleasant surprise after each interaction.

Developing a Keen Eye for Beauty

Olga’s appreciation for beauty was nurtured by her parents, who exposed her to travel, exhibitions, museums, and theaters from a young age. Growing up in the small Russian town of Solikamsk, where cultural opportunities were limited, Olga cherished her trips to Moscow and St. Petersburg during school holidays. This upbringing shaped her taste and deepened her love for the arts.

Favorite Creations

While Olga loves all her creations, she has a special fondness for multi-layered necklaces. These intricate pieces are typically made to order due to their complexity and the time required to craft them. Despite their contemporary appeal, these necklaces are heirloom-quality pieces designed to be passed down through generations and stored in family treasure chests.

For further inspiration and to explore the world of porcelain jewelry, visit the official website of the Diamond Fund of the Russian Federation.