Tell us about yourselves, how did you two meet?
Évi: Our story is an interesting one: Zoli and I have known each other since our teenage years. We’re both from Cegléd and used to hang out in the same friend group. It was just simple stuff, like going to the city center together and teenager shenanigans to kill time. That was our starting point, then we then lost touch — but life pulled us back together again eight years ago. Zoli had finished a seven-year stint in Ireland and I had just quit my job as a manager at a multinational company after a managerial burnout. So we met at a time of new beginnings for the both of us.
How and when was Pauza founded?
Zoli: We’re not only business partners with Évi, but we’re also a couple in our private life. After reconnecting and six months of dating, we decided to go on a backpacking trip around the world — we started West, headed East, and visited ten countries in one year. It was on this trip that we truly got to know each other, and where the idea behind Pauza was born. Once we came back home, we co-founded the company and started a new life together in 2018. To this day the two of us run the business by ourselves, so we’re practically together 24/7.
How would you describe Pauza?
Évi: Pauza is a select store in downtown Budapest. The term “select store” is a Japanese term that refers to a boutique-like store, where you can find a wide selection of brands and products from other small businesses, chosen by the store owners.
In short, our concept at Pauza is that we sell everyday objects. In our selection you can find household items, home furnishings and lifestyle products as well — we call it a store for the modern home and life based on traditional values, focusing on both form and function. We’re also big about voluntary simplicity, which shapes our concept as well. We don't stock any electrical or technical products. Another curatorial influence is the the concept of mingei (民芸), a “folk art” trend originating from the mid-1920s in Japan; it's about finding beauty in folk crafts and the everyday objects we use at home, taking into consideration traditional methods and design, simplicity, and functionality.
These concepts shape our store from time to time. When we opened our doors five years ago, we had a lot fewer products than we do now, but we’re conscious of moving forward in small steps.
What are your roles in running Pauza?
Évi: We complement each other very well, so thankfully our roles have worked out nicely, and we’re able to divide our tasks easily.
Zoli is in charge of finance, logistics, and is the all-around problem solver of our team. He prefers working behind the scenes.
My role is handling Pauza’s marketing tasks, social media pages, as well as focusing on product development, product testing and brainstorming.
It's part of our concept to give our faces and names to the brand, obviously within certain limits and boundaries, so I try to get Zoli in front of the camera whenever I can — he can’t stay behind the lens forever! Another important aspect is that when a customer enters Pauza, they’ll meet us. We greet our guests from behind the counter, and apart from preparing packages, we help them choose between products, give advice and provide support when needed.
What does your average day look like at the store?
Évi: We’re usually together all the time, but there are a few hours in the mornings when we go our separate ways. I usually get up earlier and head to our favorite local coffee shop where I’ll get going with my tasks next to a cup of coffee, and Zoli arrives a bit later.
Zoli: I process orders, send out invoices and do general business admin tasks in my own little office at home. Afterwards, I’ll go meet Évi at the coffee shop for a meeting at 9 o'clock. In our morning meetings we’ll plan out the day, our tasks, and schedule events for the week. As we live within walking distance of the store, we open Pauza together at 11am.
Évi: I’d also mention our end of the week ritual. The store closes at 4pm on Saturdays and after we walk across Erzsébet Bridge to go for a swim and a steam bath at Rudas Thermal Bath — we love the traditional Turkish vibes. Once we’re done with swimming, we’ll head to Kao Niaw Ping Kai, a small, authentic Thai-Laotian restaurant for a hot soup.
How do the two of you spend your time outside of work?
Besides Budapest and Cegléd, there’s a picturesque village by the Danube Bend called Zebegény, which we have close ties to. It’s where the other half of our family lives. Zebegény is a beautiful place, with lots of nice hiking spots, so when we’re not visiting my mom or grandma we’ll be out in nature hiking or cycling. We’re currently in the middle of completing the National Blue Trail, but we’re taking it relatively slow — as long as we manage to collect a few stamps each year we’re good.
Let's see what's inside Évi's FANNYPACK?
Évi: I use this fannypack all the time. It complements my backpack and I usually wear the two together. With the fanny pack, I have my purse, phone and keys close-at-hand. I also use it for when we go on hikes, Zoli takes his MATRA MINI, I take this bag, and with the two together everything fits.
Le Petit Nicolas Book - I studied French in high school alongside English, and I continued my language studies at university, but then I managed to forget everything after graduating. A year ago, I decided to start taking French classes again — I'm trying to get back to my previous level and I’ve been rereading this book recently. France is on my list of top countries in Europe.
Kyoto Map - Asia is another favorite destination of mine, and we’re planning our next trip to Japan. We also love good coffee and Japan has so many great coffee shops to discover.
Bicycle - As we live in the city center, we either walk or cycle to get around.
Notes - I’m the kind of person who likes to write to-do lists by hand, it’s so satisfying to tick things off my list.
Cream, labels, scarf - I’m in charge of our product development, and a part of this is testing different items before I order them to be a part of our range. I’m checking out these items currently, partly for myself and partly for our customers.
Slide Film - We bought these slide films for our goddaughter, she’s five and for Christmas, we gifted her our old slide projector.
Sweets - I don't have a sweet tooth, but these specific sweets are great for sore throats in winter.
Mobile - My mobile is a work tool for me. I run Pauza’s social media pages so I spend a lot of time on my phone, as well as using it for emails and taking photos.
Opera Season Ticket - We’re always discovering new cultural events in the city — it’s part of why we love living in Budapest — and this Spring we decided to discover the world of opera.
Now it's your turn, Zoli!
Zoli: I’ve been using this backpack daily for the past two years. I use it for work, going to the gym, as well as for hiking. The design suits my style and its color is right up my alley.
Stanley Flask - We take hot tea with us whenever we go hiking and this stainless steel Stanley flask is of solid quality.
Climbing Shoes - Climbing is a relatively new hobby of mine, I only started two months ago but I’ve been enjoying it. I decided I need to upgrade to my own climbing shoes. They’re brand new.
Goggles & towel - Swimming is a joint hobby of ours with Évi, we started swimming around two years ago. On Saturdays, after work, Rudas is the place we relax.
Wallet - I keep my cards and paper cash in this pencil case, and although it’s not intended to be used as a wallet, its size is ideal for banknotes.
Dossier - I keep all of Pauza’s bills, documents, basically our back office in it. I take these papers with me from A to B, as I work from the store and at home.
Keys - I'm always on the go between our store and the warehouse so my keys are always close.
If you are visiting Budapest, don't miss the opportunity to visit Évi and Zoli:
PAUZA
1052 Budapest, Vitkovics Mihály u. 7,
photos by Botond Wertán
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Hi Zoli, tell us about yourself and your professional background.
I am an architect by training, but I also work as a scenographer. Stage design and theater enable me to break away from architecture in the traditional sense, however, the two are complementary and equally inspiring.
I recently completed a two-year Master Course at Építész Mester Egylet (Master Architect’s Association). ÉME provides a platform for junior architects to learn from and work with accomplished professionals in the architecture industry in Hungary. During this Master Course, I worked on various projects and competitions, including a church renovation in Nagykovácsi, the architectural re-branding of a wine village in Slovakia, a social housing complex in Budapest, and the exhibition of the 50th anniversary of ÉME at FUGA. We also attended several international study trips where we met with local offices and toured architectural landmarks.
Currently, I am part of the Budapest-based collaborative design studio Pálma — a creative community located in the 11th district. My architectural practice is called Kazoda: most of my projects are residential, but recently, I have also been working on an exhibition design. Back in 2018, I designed and helped build a cabin, inspired by Yakisugi (Shou Sugi Ban), the Japanese wood technique. Since then, I have grown fond of cabins, working with wood and other sustainable materials. I am currently designing my own cabin on a mountain range in Northern Hungary.
When it comes to theater, I work exclusively with Csaba Horváth, director of Forte Company, my creative partner and media designer Kristóf Kiss-Benedek, and costume designer Benedek Mari. While architecture is concerned with permanent structures, theater is temporary and serves the narrative of a production. Despite the differences in time and scale, both creative processes involve imagining where things can happen in space.
What about your side project focusing on wine?
That’s a fun story.
I’ll start from the beginning. In 2019, a good friend of mine introduced me to Zsolt Sütő — a natural wine-maker from Slovakia. I was immediately intrigued by natural wine-making and its philosophy of low intervention in the vineyard and cellar. Natural wine is made without adding chemicals and preservatives, or as wine-makers would say “nothing is added, nothing is taken away from it”.
The year after I met Zsolt, my friend bought a cabin in the northwest wine region of Hungary, which came with half a hectare of vineyard that needed to be taken care of. This coincided with COVID-19 and meeting a few like-minded natural wine enthusiasts. Somehow, the pieces of the puzzle started to come together organically — there was a vineyard and a collective in the making. This is how Alà natur was born.
Over the years, this collective of enthusiasts embarked on a learning journey about natural wine-making. It is worth noting that most of us had no prior knowledge in the area, however, under the expert guidance from Barnabás Kovács, we have been continuously learning about the different processes of wine-making — starting from organic vineyard practices all the way to bottling.
Through this learning-by-doing process, in the first year, we managed to have 70 bottles of wine and in 2023 we bottled around 800. Our latest selection debuted in December, you can find them here.
What does your daily routine look like?
Usually, I start the day by taking my dog Oscar for a quick walk around the block, followed by a brief tea ritual, where I plan the rest of the day.
Whenever I can, I try to do sports in the early mornings — yoga, stretching, or bouldering. I like to go to Flow Boulder, which is a dog-friendly climbing gym in Budapest and it’s a good opportunity for both me and Oscar to get active. The gym also has a work area, so some days, I’ll start working from there.
Then I arrive at the studio, where I’ll consult with my colleagues on the ongoing projects. It varies how long I am in the studio for — sometimes until 6 pm, and sometimes until midnight, depending on the project.
After work, I like going to the theater or meeting up with my mates for a drink at the local bar. The day always ends with another dog walk - it’s also the time where we reflect on the day together with my girlfriend.
Do you have any other hobbies?
Besides climbing, I am also keen on hiking and it’s partly how I got to know Balázs; we used to hit the trails together. Since my teenage years, I’ve been into skateboarding. To this day, easy cruising through the city brings me a lot of joy.
You were also once an YKRA model, right?
Yes, I was a model for an YKRA campaign shot. Balázs joined us and we had a great time.
What’s in your SAILORPACK?
This is my second YKRA bag. It’s light, classy and easily fits everything I need to carry around in a day.
Measuring Tape - As an architect, it always comes in handy on the job.
Work Tools - I always keep a selection of tools with me for work. This includes my iPad, which I use when I need to quickly sketch on a location photo, or I need to answer an email fast. For manual stuff, I like to use my notepad. Most of my stationary is from Muji — the pens, pencils, felt tips, highlighters, and notebook are all from there, and I usually keep my stuff in one of their signature silicone cases.
Ink Stamp - I have this with me in case there’s something I need to put my stamp on. It has my logo on it.
Book - I like to make time for reading. My friend Gábor Bindics lent me this book. It’s a collection of essays about traditional Japanese aesthetics written in a poetic and entertaining way.
Sunglasses - Just in case, you never know when you might need them.
Kong Frisbee - It’s my dog Oscar’s favorite.
Leash - This is also for Oscar, it’s my friend András Beke’s brand. He’s an architect, and this brand, Appintu, is his hobby side project — named after his young son’s imaginary friend.
Kezemura Gaiwan - This is a piece made by Gábor, and we agreed on a barter, I gave him wine, and he made me an interlocking Gaiwan, which is perfect to take with me on the go.
Architectural model - Obviously, these models don't fit in my backpack, but as I use my SAILORPACK for work and carry my stuff in it when I go on site visits, I thought I'd show you guys a few projects I am proud of.
The large model is a project for a cabin house that I am currently working on. If everything goes smoothly, the construction will start in spring.
The other one is a mock-up of a 100-unit housing in the 6th district. It’s an older project, with which we won an architecture competition during my team at ÉME Master Course — it was a joint effort with a team of five people.
photos by Botond Wertan
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Hi Kata, tell us about your background, how did you get involved in the arts?
Since the age of 16, I knew the world of contemporary art was something I wanted to be a part of. I was intrigued by my surroundings, contemporary society, art, and what exactly defines culture — I wanted to learn as much as possible. I’m a big believer in formal education and always have been. I completed my degree in Art History and French, as well as studying Anthropology, and joining intellectual workshops through this kind of intergenerational transmission is something I strongly believe in.
It’s also important to keep in mind that art and culture are not the same. A professor of mine at university influenced me to move towards the intellectual discourse focusing on social art history, which attempts to understand art and the role it plays while taking into consideration relevant cultural, social, and political factors without separating these issues. Social art history approaches feminist questioning firmly. I consider myself a feminist, and as a woman, a thinker, and a curator, I constantly practice the feminist and female points of view. I’d like to add that this is a very significant feat, as it's not always clear that women have a place in cultural assumptions or in the institutional system.
Where did your studies lead you, how would you define your career path?
If I had to, then I’d label myself as a curator and art historian, as it’s what I believe in most, however, my career path has been an eventful one. I've worked in many places: a small gallery, an art magazine, an agency, and up until 2012, I worked as a curator at Ludwig Museum - Museum of Contemporary Art. As a cultural thinker, with my own thoughts and discourse, I decided to leave the institutional system, one that is largely state-run in Hungary, as funding, discourse, and the discourse of a curator were even back then, far more intertwined and acute than I was comfortable with. After leaving Ludwig Museum, I founded my own feminist, non-profit gallery FERi, which I headed for six years, and in 2014, I opened a boutique named Konfekció in the 8th district, selling vintage items.
Why the name Confection?
It's such a saturated word, and in Hungarian, it means a specific set of sizes, which is a very apt message in present times: an old-fashioned category, something the trends want to surpass. Of course, in Hungary, the concept of a boutique is a very complex question as during Socialism, while some members of society were offered the privilege of opening their own boutiques, for others opposing the regime, it was the only way to make a living. It’s a complex, very exciting cultural question, in terms of how intellectuals or those persecuted due to their sexual identity ended up opening boutiques.
Do you have any new projects you’re working on currently?
Yes. It’s always been a goal of mine to open a space that’s not necessarily a gallery, more so a cultural space that reflects on the location and neighborhood it operates in.
I’ve been working in the 8th district for many years now and noticed that certain social aspects and factors are slowly disappearing from artistic representation, either there’s no space for it, or those who would approach such topics have emigrated. Of course, let’s not forget the strict institutional and self-censorship that lingers over raising certain issues in the arts, which hinders inclusion. This realization, made me reflect on what’s missing from public collections or why there’s no attention paid to certain groups in society, what it means to live and work on the outskirts of the city, how poverty and stereotyping were and are related to certain commercial activities, and what this meant in the era of gentrification under socialism and in post-socialist cities like Budapest. These factors shaped the ethnic and religious composition of a city, so the questions remain, why has this tangible heritage been left out of cultural history and still left out of the discourse in present times and why are these topics swept under the rug?
The above thoughts and realizations were my starting point, when I founded TANGÓ projekt, a physical cultural space, taking on a multidisciplinary approach to the neighborhood of Teleki Square, in the 8th district. Teleki Square and its surroundings are on the outskirts of the 8th district, so it’s just beyond the area that has become a trend to move to, as many socially sensitive citizens are looking for a place to live in the area, or have already come here with their studios, families, etc. There’s a very strong gentrification process taking place and I wanted to examine the part of the district that this trend hasn’t yet reached — while it’s still possible.
In the future, hopefully, TANGÓ projekt’s space will double in size and I’ll have the opportunity — which I've wanted for a long time — to do screenings, lectures, and talks. This type of human connection, where people can just sit together and talk about art, culture and social issues, with nothing off limits, is really lacking in this country in terms of approach. This is something that I feel very strongly about, bringing together people from multigenerational groups and completely different social classes. The questions surrounding what the responsibility of an institution is, what the responsibility of a curator or an artist is with their privilege, and how they utilize it in the spaces they work in, is internationally a very hot topic. It’s nice to feel validated, as TANGÓ Project has been included in a mentoring program by the European Commission this year, which I’m thrilled about!
Moving on to everyday life, what does your daily routine look like?
I’m an early riser and always have been. I usually get up around 6-6:30 am at the latest, I don’t have a problem with getting out of bed. I love the mornings, it’s an intensive part of my day where I read a lot, listen to podcasts, and watch TV. I watch a lot of public broadcasting channels, as staying informed politically and knowing what’s going on in the world around me is important. What I give my brain access to in the mornings, both in terms of images and text, is paramount. Obviously, since I've had kids, I have to cram in as much as I can, before I start my day with them.
I made a conscious decision to be with my children for as long as possible, so I haven’t yet sent them to any formal institution, instead, they’re with me throughout the day. My aim is for us to adapt to each other and for them to participate in as many activities and adult — or I’d rather say, human — activities as possible. I don’t think I should be limiting my children's socialization to playgrounds and recreation, but to show them places. My youngest is two, so I take him with me to galleries, performances, my boutique, and my creative meetings. Wherever it’s possible to take my kids, they’ll be there. Other times you’ll find me reading, researching, and writing at home.
Normally, I keep my places open between 2-7 pm, right now that’s the case with Konfekció. I like having fixed hours which I can plan around and I work very well in formal work settings, in the sense that I like going to places on time and keeping a schedule. I don't think that's the image that lives in people’s minds when they think of me, but I work well as long as I'm motivated. I have a lot of projects going on at once, so I’m good at juggling and setting my own deadlines when I’m asked to host a talk or hold a presentation, it requires a completely different schedule and preparation process. I also like the change of entering my store, where I have to open the blinds, switch on the cash register, sort the clothes, talk to people, and finish the day by cleaning and that’s it, everything's sorted. It’s a great sense of achievement.
The evenings stretch out long for us. On the one hand, I live with an actor, so in our home, it was never the case that any of us, including the kids, went to bed early, instead it was always a matter of being awake for when their dad came home. It’s the same when my husband’s sons are around as well. We never end a day before 10 pm.
What’s in your bag?
YKRA BEACH BAG - There are very few brands that use such bold prints in their products or go back to an era that I consider to be paradise both visually and socially — the ‘70s. That psychedelic, very bold, patterns all over period is one of my favorites, and once I spotted this YKRA bag on Instagram, it was a done deal.
Rug - The aesthetic that this carpet represents is something that I try to bring into every space I exist in. I’ve always had one at home and in all my stores, I love the bold use of color. It’s an African fair trade piece. For me, it's a symbol of European elitism, how the filth of overconsumption and plastic rubbish ends up in Africa, but out of that something beautiful is created.
Photos - I have an extensive photo collection of women wearing hats. Hats have an interesting background, they convey a message about when, or what it meant historically and culturally for a woman to be free to let her hair down, for it to be visible, or on the other hand, the meaning behind covered hair. A woman and her hair, how she wears it, or how she’s allowed to wear it, has a very strong visual representation of the times she lives in.
Purses & Bags - I have a large selection of bags, ranging from small to big and I use them interchangeably. This “tarisznya” — a typical Hungarian haversack — has a beautiful Hungarian folk art design on it, and I’m also very fond of its material. I use it as a bag for my necessities and I simply place it into a bigger bag when I need extra space.
Books - I keep a book on me wherever I go, and these small books easily fit in any of my bags. I'm an absolute fan of paperback books as I take a lot of notes and I often fold in the pages, as there’s always something important I want to look back on.
Shawl - As with books, I make sure I have a shawl on me too. Moreover, more than one, as they’re so practical. On the one hand, it's the perfect bag filler, it fills out that leftover space so my bags don’t collapse, while other times it’s simply nice to wear, as I get cold easily.
Diapers - When it comes to diapers, I try — and let me emphasize the word try — to be the type of woman who you can borrow one from for your kids, along with tissues and a drop of hand sanitizer too!
Plastic Figures - I keep a few of them in my bag, it comes with having kids and I’m cool with that. Nowadays, I make jewelry pieces out of them, and I know they’re shabby, but I find a lot of value and beauty in their shabbiness. In my view, it’s what makes them attractive.
Artificial Flowers - I like to include them in my outfits, wearing them pinned as a brooch, or as hair clips, although in Hungary artificial flowers are mostly associated with funerals or commemoration rites, and less so with fashion and dressing.
Ribbons - I spend a lot of time at various markets in Budapest and abroad, and simply put, it’s a sensory experience. Goods being sold have a history, a scent, a touch, and a visual story that remains long after being separated from its original owner. It’s the same with these ribbons, and it’s comforting knowing they were once important to someone, while there are fantastic techniques in the fashion industry, the mark of time can’t be reproduced in its entirety, so you won’t find another faded pink ribbon like this again.
Religious Object - I found this at a store in an Orthodox shop in Palermo. I wear it as a pin.
Clip - Beyond being a beautiful object, tongs are super useful! It’s great for pinching practically anything together, I use it for my loose papers, to tweak my dresses, or just to clip a scarf to a bag.
Mug - I bought this mug from a favorite store of mine next to Gutenberg Square. This piece caught my eye as it’s perfect for turning into a Sex Pistols themed object.
Photos by Botond Wertan
]]>Hi Sára, you’re well-known in the indie pop world, but you work in the film industry as well. Tell us about your different roles and jobs!
Music is the main theme in my life and has been for a very long time. I’m a singer in the band Mary PopKids, it's a 14-15-year-old indie pop band based in Budapest. We've performed at a lot of festivals and have had many adventures both in Hungary and abroad, but recently we’ve placed the band on the back burner, as priorities have changed within the group. We’re a crew of eight, and it's not that easy to schedule together so many members, especially now that more and more of us have families. One of our bass players got married this past summer, so our last gig was at a fitting venue, his wedding.
Besides music, I’ve also been working in film and advertising production, for the past seven years. I work in films and commercials as a production coordinator, although sometimes I also work as an assistant to well-established actors who come here to shoot, or I'll accompany them abroad. So that's another exciting part of my role, but in general, coordination is the main part of my job. But I do miss the creative energy that comes with music a lot, so it’s something I always go back to as much as I can in various forms and side projects.
Do you have any hobbies besides singing and music?
Pilates — but I have to be honest, I didn’t go to classes for a while, but I’m back at it now. My pilates instructor used to teach in Hűvösvölgy, but recently joined Mao Pilates Studio, which is in my neighborhood, so I have no excuses anymore!
Otherwise, on the weekends, whenever I don’t have to work, or have more than one day off at a time, you can find me down in Szentbékkálla, a small village by Lake Balaton. We have a small house with a huge garden there, just past the forest. It’s our little kingdom, “our Tuscany”, and a home and spiritual refuge for both me and my dogs. It's where I relax, take comfort in gardening, sweeping fallen leaves, and just being out in the countryside.
Of course, when I’m in town, I go to concerts, I like to go see up-and-coming bands perform, as well as the shows of all my friends, so that’s something I do often.
What does a normal day look like for you?
It depends, if I'm working I’ll be up early, although I’m an early riser anyway, and the dogs are also a part of my routine, so I’ll start the day by taking them for a walk. I don’t drink coffee, so I don’t really have a morning routine, it’s usually just me rushing to places and things being hectic. On some days I’ll be at the office, preparing for shoots, other times I’ll be on location or at the studio shooting from morning ‘till night. If my day is more laid back, even then I keep a busy schedule…I guess it’s just the way I am.
What part of your job do you like the most?
Shooting days are always special, there’s so much going on and it’s an interesting experience to get sucked into a different world. It’s also what I really liked about the gigs, packing, getting on a bus and suddenly you're in some other city doing something totally different. The stage is my playground, I love it. It's why I go all out and have crazy hair or wear crazy clothes, to get away from everyday life. It doesn't matter if you're getting on a bus to perform at a gig or going to a film set or doing something out of this world. I also thrive in situations where problems and situations arise that need to be solved ASAP. It's been a learning curve, but I feel in my element even in such tense, stressful situations. Obviously, the pre-production period for a film or a commercial is different, it's more bureaucratic and less exciting. I’m also interested in the work producers do, and it would be great to learn more and gain more insight into the production side of films too.
How long have you had your SAILOR PACK for?
I’ve had it since 2020 or 2021, so it’s been mine for around three years now.
Do you wear it on a daily basis?
Mostly for work, but of course, there are times when I carry a smaller bag. It’s great for the days when I need my laptop and notebooks with me, it's a comfortable and practical piece to wear to work.
Laptop Case - I stole it from my boyfriend! It’s such a beautifully handcrafted, leather case. Although my backpack has a separate little laptop section inside, a lot of times I just sling it over my shoulder when I’m running around locations and film sets, so it’s nice to have some extra protection.
Dachshund Keychain - One of my dogs is a dachshund, so you don’t have to look far to find all sorts of dachshund memorabilia on me.
Earphones - I only recently bought them, and it’s really grown on me. Its sound quality is great and I love the design.
Kaweco Fountain Pen - This is also from my guy, the brand makes super cool pens, and I like to write by hand when I can. In film production, I have to scribble down a lot of things fast, and I still prefer to take notes on paper rather than on my laptop. My laptop notes are full too, but hey, at least I try.
Perfume - It's from Porto, Portugal, and from a brand there where each bottle is numbered, so it's a very special piece. I spent hours in the store, this one has a fresh, citrus scent, but it was so difficult to pick just one bottle!
Egg Shaker - This was a gift either from my dad or our percussionist, but either way, it’s an important object in my life.
Guerlain Lipstick - It’s a red lipstick I usually wear for parties, and the design is really nice, when you open it, there's a mirror inside, so that’s a special touch they included.
Omorovicza Moisture Mist & Lipbalm - These are my must-have beauty products, the face mist is so refreshing, not to mention its scent.
Scarf- This was a gift from my friend Tomi Szécsi. He designs and makes them himself under the brand VYF.
Dachshund Hair Clip - This is from Toronto, and I have two. I rarely wear my hair down so I always have a hair clip or hair tie with me.
Water Bottle - I have a lot of water bottles at home, and if I can, I take one with me everywhere I go. It’s such an important alternative to buying plastic bottles.
Braces - The story of my past year and a half…but thankfully now I only have to wear them at night.
Polaroid Camera - I used to have a long wire on my balcony, with loads of photos hanging from it, from parties, concerts and life in general. They’re my favorite keepsakes.
photos by Botond Wertan
]]>Hi Kata, you’re a household name in the industry as a food stylist, while your latest venture ATAK PELIF floral expeditions broadened your horizons to the world of flowers. How would you define your different roles and jobs?
The main change is that now my days revolve around two themes, food and flowers. In Hungary, the roles of food and prop stylist are usually not considered as two different areas of expertise, so I do both. However, these are more of a behind-the-scenes roles, while my work as a floral stylist is something new, and also more visible.
I've been working as a food stylist for the past 10 years, and in this capacity, my role is to make food look as desirable as possible. It’s a process that consists of several things, so at times I'm the one adding festive decorations and details to the Christmas turkey, while in other situations I’ll be the one actually basting and cooking it. I also develop and test recipes for food companies as well as creating content — this is a mix of services not everyone does.
When it comes to flowers, I don't call myself a florist, as it’s not something I have a formal education in and it’s a profession in its own right, so I prefer using the term floral stylist. This new role in my career was part of a natural progression, which started out from my days working for a restaurant where I was in charge of communication. I advised on a number of different things, one of them being that I felt a great Parisian restaurant needed to have fresh flowers daily. So I made the task my own and started going to flower markets. Seeing the different types of flowers on sale, or the bouquets available at flower stores, I felt like something was missing, a gap that I could fill in some way. That's where my story began.
You work as a freelancer — what’s your schedule like?
I’d say my schedule is one of the perks of freelancing: being able to afford the luxury of planning my day on my own terms, and that each day is totally different. Of course, there are days when I also have to set my alarm and be up early for a photoshoot, or to buy flowers from the market which is a morning ritual. Not to mention as a food stylist, sometimes my work involves 16-hour shoots or long hours at events. Recently, I’ve also been spending a lot of time on moodboards to present my ideas to clients visually, as a lot of times, words simply are not enough. There are less exciting admin days too, spent with putting together offers and sending out invoices. But on good days, I have the luxury of going out for breakfast with my partner before starting my day, or having casual lunches with friends. It’s definitely a mix of hard work and freedom.
How do you prepare for photoshoots as a food stylist?
This part of my work involves a lot of preparation and running around town. I source the ingredients myself, as it’s up to me to pick the best apples to photograph and it’s the same with everything else. Luckily, I have a 20m2 warehouse in the 7th district, where I store thousands of cups, plates, and cutlery, so I can work in practically any style. This involves constant re-sorting and repacking, so there's a pretty strong logistics side involved, but it’s a great feeling knowing that whether the shoot has a Nordic theme or a retro cafeteria vibe, I can come up with something for every look.
What about your days working as a floral stylist?
I work based on custom orders. So it's actually my own micro-enterprise and I do everything by myself. I don't have a workshop or creative space either, my kitchen is my backdrop.
I usually start the morning by going to the flower market at around 8:00-9:00 am, picking out a selection of flowers, followed by the unsexy part of the job nobody sees, flower prepping. This involves many time-consuming steps: trimming stems, removing leaves, cleaning, and it’s only after that I start working on compositions. I usually deliver flowers to my clients in the afternoon or evening, or they’ll come over to pick up their orders.
In terms of style, I have complete creative freedom, and thankfully the customers that find me respect that. My visual language and creative vision is the reason they find me in the first place.
How do you like spending your time outside of work?
I’m a big fan of good food and drinks outside of work too. My partner and I enjoy inviting friends over and we often host small parties and gatherings. We like this Italian way of life, including aperitivo and recently quite a bit of Negroni too. I usually cook intuitively, not from recipes, simply based on what inspires me on the day and based on what’s fresh at the market. So that's how our evenings tend to go.
During the day, we like being outside in nature. Around 4-5 years ago we joined a hiking group and started the National Blue Trail. We also do a lot of hiking around Budapest, we'll get in the car and head out to the Pilis, Mátra, or Börzsöny mountain ranges.
Another thing we’re keen on is flea markets, visiting them has turned into a hobby. On Sunday mornings it’s the place to be — of course you can arrive at noon, but that’s a lazy, hipster thing to do, and I’ve been on the lookout for Murano glass vases. The atmosphere and vibe at the markets alone is enough alone to make sure you have a great time, without buying anything. I love listening to the vendors chatting, the retro market food, the scones, tea and coffee, and sure, it’s great to drink a good flat white in a cool local place, but this is where you can get a staple black coffee in a plastic cup with whipped cream, it’s a must.
Now let's see, what do you have in your bag?
YKRA Beach Bag - I take this bag everywhere, not just for the beach, and I chose this particular bag because I've always been a big bag person. I use it for shopping and for carrying stuff to photo shoots, it fits everything.
Atak Pelif Bouquet - All my bouquets are made to order and no two are the same. It depends on what flowers I find at the market on the day. This one comprises my autumn favorites, Dahlia, Hydrangea and Gladiolus flowers. I also like having something sprouting out of my bouquets, this one has reeds and different grasses, as well as snowberries, which as a child I loved popping.
Pruning Shears - These were a gift from my boyfriend. I have them in two colorways, yellow and purple. They’re a Japanese brand and besides looking super cool, they’re very comfortable to work with and also won the Red Dot Design Award.
Stickers - I always use my own branded stickers on my bouquets.
Neon Ribbons - I’m always searching for neon colored ribbons. I like using these strong colors, even my bouquets are pastel and powder colors. My clients like this bold touch too.
Sunglasses - I don’t go anywhere without them.
Perfume - This unisex scent is a collaboration between Monocle and Comme des Garçons, I've been using it for years. It's actually a perfume that my partner and I share, and for some reason we both love it. I can’t count how many bottles we’ve used…
Irka Diary - This diary is from a Hungarian brand, its handmade and its shape and layout just works. They also come up with nice designs, I have a whole collection.
Polly Pocket - Owning one of these was a childhood dream of mine, which never came true, so it was such a nice surprise when a friend of mine gifted me one for my 38th birthday.
Pocky - This is a Japanese sweet snack brand. They always keep bringing out limited edition versions with different tastes, and currently their Yuzu flavor is my favorite. A while back, you couldn’t buy them in Budapest, but now it’s sold at most Asian stores.
Leuchtturm pen & pen loop - I have a pen loop which is so useful. It's a small, cheap and very simple product, you simply stick it in the back of your diary and you’ll never lose your pen again.
Photo by Botond Wertan
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Hi Kata, please introduce yourself and tell us about your work.
I live in Budapest with my husband Sanyi, and currently I’m working on quite a few things at once. My main focus is on a super exciting project, as I’m developing an animated children's story series, Rosie and Sapphire. Thanks to this project, I’m also taking part in an international scriptwriting workshop, CEE Animation, where we get a lot of support and have a great tutor mentoring us. We also take part in classes, which are so inspiring and give us a lot of perspective. It’s nice to be in an environment where I can learn again. Besides the series, I also create illustrations, as well as illustrated card games and jigsaw puzzles for Kirakós Budapest, I also design a collection of contemporary handwoven wool rugs made in India.
What does your average day look like?
Ideally, I wake up without an alarm at around 8.30am, and then I start working quickly so I don't lose too much of the day. If I'm lucky, I go and have lunch at my grandmother's, who lives two streets away, and she's always so happy to see me. I usually have lunch at her place, then I’ll carry on working at home in the afternoon. In the evenings I try to do different activities, however, I've noticed that I'm most creative between 10pm and 2am, so that’s when I do my own creative work to get in the flow.
How do you spend your time outside of work?
Doing yoga is something I try to do on a regular basis, and I also like going to the movies. My other goal is staying in touch with friends. I have a lot of friends and different friend groups, and I want to stay active in all of them. It's the easiest thing to say I'm busy right now, but then what are we living for? I had a period in my life when I was always super busy and had no time for anyone, and in retrospect, I don’t think that was healthy, or the way things should be.
Let's see what's inside your bag!
Pantone Colour Chart - My carpets are made in India, and they work with these colors, so I select them based on this chart - there’s so many colors to choose from!
Postcard - An exhibition of mine was titled The Lost Ice Cream Scoop, and this postcard was a companion to that.
Pen - This pen is from my friend Eszter Glaser, she knows I love yellow.
Oil Spray - I spray this on just about everything. It makes me look so much better, instantly, or at least that’s how I feel. My hair is wavy and it dries out and gets frizzy fast, so this oil does the trick to keep it moisturized.
Nude Lipstick - I don't use it often, but I love it.
Ring - This was also a gift, made by such a kind girl behind the brand MALNA jewelry. It means a lot to me emotionally, as it symbolizes human kindness.
Paper Notes - I stick these into the books I read. Instead of scribbling on the pages, I like to remember the important bits.
Glasses - These were a wedding present, but I don’t actually need them. Wearing glasses is more of a mentality, they help me stay focused when I put them on. Obviously, most of my work is done on the computer, which is strenuous for my eyes, so it doesn't hurt to have a pair.
Sunglasses - I bought this in Italy and it’s got that Italian, movie star vibe to it.
YKRA SCOUT - I've had this backpack for around two years now and it’s my go-to piece in the summer. I love its cheerful color and the size is great too.
Hair Tie - I'm growing my hair, so hopefully this will come in useful.
Spices - I have a small bag of spices with me as once a month with my girlfriends we hold an “Oriental Dinner Night” and cook something exotic together. I also always buy spices wherever I go traveling.
Ceramic tea cups - We got these at a wedding, and the groom, Balázs Túrós introduced us to the world of Gongfu tea ceremonies. It’s a ritual, a bit like meditation before you drink your tea, then taking small sips while paying close attention to the smell and the color. It's all about slowing down, not truly a formalized ceremony with a set of strict rules, and that’s why it’s different from the Japanese. My favorite tea is Oolong tea, it has such a wonderful fruity, delicious smell.
Books - I’m always reading several books at once. One is usually a novel, so next to that I Iike to read non-fiction, philosophy, or something scientific. I bought this book last week, it was only 50 Ft and I bought it because of its cover, it was designed by a famous Hungarian artist, Tibor Csernus. It’s from a really good antiquarian book store in Roham Street, I've been going there since I was a little girl.
Statue - I bought this at a flea market, it's such a funny statue. I looked it up on Google Image Search, and it's a Chinese pillow/headrest that usually comes in pairs, in a much bigger size.
photos by Botond Wertan
Hi Réka, please introduce yourself and tell us about your path to the design world.
I graduated from the Hungarian University of Fine Arts in 2018, with a degree in Graphic Design. I also studied Liberal Arts for a while, which I found interesting, but the reality was I wanted to study in a creative field. At first, I wasn’t sure I’d be able to get into art uni—there’s a very competitive application process in Hungary—but I took part in an intense art course and spent two years preparing for the entrance exam, and I was accepted. University was a great experience for me, mainly because of my fellow classmates and the college for advanced studies I attended.
How did you end up working at studio NUR?
Throughout my student years, naturally I followed what other creatives were up to on the design scene, and I had specifically been following Eszti Laki's work for a while, as I was really into the beautiful things she was doing. Coincidently, one of my classmates mentioned that Eszti was looking for someone to work with, so I grabbed the opportunity and sent over my portfolio. We met, and hit off straight away. I quickly went from being an intern to a permanent collaborator, or as we like to call it, a co-creator. We've been working together for six years now and it's been super fun. In fact, my grandparents have a vineyard in Csobánc (a famous scenic hilltop by Lake Balaton in Western Hungary), and Eszti bought the one “next door”, so now we're vineyard neighbours too!
Is your job also your passion?
Totally, and even after six years of hard work, I haven’t had a burnout.
What’s your secret?
In a nutshell: My job is really varied, I get to create beautiful things visually, and our clients are great too.
The longer story is that I always tried to take on fun freelance projects that excite me as well, and I’m also really interested in book design. So I try to keep things balanced, for example I’ve worked on projects with Szabadon Balaton, an art initiative raising awareness on the ecological condition of Lake Balaton, and with the Hungarian National Gallery too. I also spend a lot of time in nature, and after long walks, I feel revitalised and motivated to carry on with my work.
What does your average day look like?
I usually leave home at around 9am with my boyfriend, and I’ll roll down from Buda on my bike to Flatlab (a coworking creative studio in downtown Budapest) and start my day with a coffee in the office. My schedule is pretty normal, I have an 8-hour job with studio NUR, which I was actually apprehensive about at first. I thought I was cut out for the freelance life, but realised it’s not for me. It’s so nice to have a full-time job and a routine, it makes my life a lot more relaxed.
I’m more of a morning person, so I like to start working after my coffee and our chats with the other graphic designers in the office—we work in a creative environment. What’s also nice is that my boyfriend works in the area too, so he comes over for lunch a lot, and my mom, sister, and grandparents are also all nearby.
How do you spend your time outside of work?
I play the guitar, or plant trees with my boyfriend in Törökbálint. He has his own NGO, and he’s a big conservationist.
What are your hobbies?
Going for walks in nature, running, and playing music, especially the guitar and drums.
Are there any past or future projects you’ve worked on you’d like to highlight?
I've just finished a book on Hungarian painter Lajos Gulácsy for the Hungarian National Gallery, and there will probably be more books coming this year as well, so that’s something I'm looking forward to. I’m also proud of the Art Deco Budapest exhibition catalogue I made last year for the gallery as well. It’s nice to be able to see my designs come to life, and to hold a book in my hands reflecting the end result.
Let's see what's inside your bag!
Pen Box - I inherited this from my grandfather. I’m a big fan of Hungarian retro packaging, so this box is special to me in more than one way.
Matches - This box of matches is from Copenhagen, I bought from a retro bazaar, and the place was filled with similar designs and packaging which I think is a beautiful record of the history of graphic design.
Namecard - This was created for a Thai restaurant in Switzerland, and it was one of my first jobs with Eszti at Studio Nur where I designed the logo and the complete visual identity. We also got to go to Switzerland together to do the photoshoot, which is a great memory.
Muji Pens - Everyone loves these pens, and I’m no exception. They’re great to use for sketches.
Scarf - I bought this scarf from an Indian shop, it's perfect to sit on during summer picnics, and to keep me warm in winter.
National Blue Trail Booklet - My boyfriend and I started this hike a year ago, and we're more than halfway through it now. It’s something we do on our free weekends, either with friends or just the two of us. I’d highly recommend it, as it’s such a well thought out trail and experience.
Laptop Case - It was a gift from Eszti, and came at just the right time—when we started the National Blue Trail.
Guitar Capo / Picks / Drumsticks - I started playing the guitar with a capo when I was 16, and I've been playing in various, “just for fun” formations with friends since. Music is a really important part of my life when it comes to relaxing and having fun. Playing the drums leads back to me being in a punk band with friends where everyone had to play an instrument they couldn’t actually play, but after I decided to take lessons. I can’t say I’m any good at it, but it's definitely a great tension reliever!
Ex Libris Stamp - This was made for me by Ivett Lénárt. There was a knitting group called Kötöde at university, which played an important role during my time there. It was an experimental design group and community, where we worked on exhibitions and prints, dealt with social issues and carried out projects for fun together. The group still keeps in touch, and back in the day when we were more active we figured out that we could make each other ex-libris stamps, and this is the one I got from Ivett. I still make these stamps for my friends and family, and it just goes to show how interconnected books, bookbinding and book stamps are in my life.
Forever Calendar - This calendar was also a Kötöde project. It's further away from the commissioned genre, and more on the side of autonomous art, which I rarely do due to focusing on commissioned projects, but these were very inspiring exercises.
Book - It's one of the last books I made with Adam Albert, who is the head of the Department of Artistic Anatomy at the Hungarian University of Fine Arts, and this book has been shortlisted for the Hungarian Book Design Award. In my opinion, book design is one of the most beautiful parts of graphic design.
photos by Botond Wertan
]]>1. YKRA - BEACH BAG - POSTERLAD
2. Petites Pommes Classic Floats - OTTO beach ball - RETRO
3. IGLOO - Tag Along Too Cooler - Racer Red
4. &SUNDAY - SCALLOP OVERSIZED PULLED TUBE - BLACK
5. YKRA - TRAVEL CASE - YELLOW
6. TOMCSANYI - BUSA bucket hat ‘fishnet blue’
7. ferm LIVING - Desert Lounge Chair Poppy Red/Cloud
8. BONGUSTA - Naram Towels, Baby Pink & Ski Patrol
9. OAS - BLACK TERRY ESPADRILLES
10. L.F. Markey - BASIC LINEN TANK CERULEAN AND BASIC LINEN SHORTS TERULEAN
11. DARLING - MEDIUM PROTECTION SPF 20
12. Jack Johnson - In Between Dreams LP
13. Craig Hollingsworth 7’4 Lightning Bolt Surfboard
14. Billabong - Dama Rubber Flip Flop Sandals
15. Quicksilver - Break Time T-shirt
16. POSTERLAD - SEASIDE poster
18. SKAGERAK - Messina Umbrella Ø270 Golden Yellow Stripes
19. FRESCOBOL CARIOCA - TRANCOSO BEACH BAT SET
20. arloe - Nath In Sunflower Yellow
21. HAY - SOWDEN BOTTLE LIGHT PINK
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Hi Viola! How should we envision your workflow?
Usually, I explore the topic, discuss the concept with the client and gather inspiration and colors. We also consider what product we will apply these patterns to, and based on that, I start sketching.
How does an idea become a finished pattern?
Lately, I've been designing more in conjunction with the product itself, and I involve it in the design phase, considering the specific manufacturing method. For instance, with the Trippy Fish collection, I started composing the pattern based on the size of the screen used for the silkscreen print, from the get-go, to achieve a very organic repetition, as it was a larger-scale rapport.
It turned out great. In your opinion, what makes a good pattern? What makes it work?
When it’s a continuous pattern, or if the connections within the design are very organic and guide the eye. The forms should align with each other and create a system where they repeat harmoniously, and the pattern should coexist well with the product it appears on. The key is finding that harmony that resonates with the viewer, evoking a sense of love or connection, something they can truly embrace.
Where did you draw inspiration from for the Trippy Fish pattern?
Well, one of our main sources of inspiration was the psychedelic world of the 70s. We also wanted to depict Koi fish in the pattern, which is a popular Japanese motif, so our task was to blend these two worlds together. To accomplish this, we thoroughly examined numerous posters as well as patterns found on vintage sunbeds and curtains.
Can you tell us a bit about these floral patterns and the Koi fish patterns, and how you put them together?
Well, what I found interesting about the floral patterns is that back in the 70s, they were mostly printed using screen printing, which made it fascinating to study how they utilized the ratio of covered and uncovered areas to achieve maximum effect with minimal colors, creating a rainbow-like result. It was intriguing to see how the printed and blank areas blended together in different proportions. We applied this approach as well, consciously designing our patterns to make use of it. At YKRA we work with a limited number of colors, and the blank area plays a significant role as a color in our patterns.
How many colours are in the pattern?
There are four colors plus white, right? Green, orange, light blue, dark blue. Yes, and blank parts are left as an open space. So, it's not the background color, but rather something we highlighted. The fish appear in the blank areas, emphasizing their presence. Personally, I saw it as a challenge because goldfish are a very popular theme. We encounter them in many places and it has a bit of a Japanese theme, and it was a challenge for me to draw and depict them in a new, different situation. So, they merged with the flowers, and the whole thing ended up in an imagined underwater world.
Let's delve a bit deeper into the pattern. What were the characteristic colors and shapes of that era, and what did you incorporate from them into the pattern?
What stands out to me are the flowing forms that blend and merge together organically, giving the impression of gentle movement and being carried by currents. This quality can be observed in every shape, making the overall design much more organic, including the flowers, compared to the more geometric thinking of the 60s. Additionally, I focused on the ratio of contours and the balance between large and small surfaces. For instance, numerous intricate details come together to form a larger, encompassing shape, which can be interpreted as a pattern of that shape or seen as a collective representation of smaller flower motifs.
You went with two color schemes, one is a blue dominates cooler and the other is a pink dominated warmer color palette. Which one would you choose from the two, if you could only choose one?
I really love pink, so I would choose pink.
What have you been working on lately, and what are your plans for the summer?
That's a great question. I'm working on a very exciting book, entirely dedicated to illustrations. I was asked to create graphics related to a specific year, but I can’t really say more about it just yet. It's scheduled to be released at the beginning of summer. We are also preparing a series of scarves with VYF, which is connected to an exhibition at the Szépművészeti Museum, and I'm already working on it. I also want to take some time to freely create and explore for myself.
What does that mean? What do you enjoy doing?
I finnaly started learning animation to bring these patterns to life because they always give me the feeling of capturing a fleeting moment. However, there is a certain continuity to them, and I want to take it further to make them truly come alive.
Thank you Viola!
Thank you!
Hi Peti, please introduce yourself and tell us a little about your work.
I’ve been working with croissants and baked goods for the past ten years, and from the outset, I’ve been striving for perfection. My main goal is to be able to make croissants in larger quantities but with the same high quality and style, in as many exciting flavours as possible. We’ve opened two cafés in Budapest, in two very different environments. Where we’re at now is on the Pest side, in the city centre, and you can feel the hustle and bustle of the city while our café in Buda is closer to nature, in a quieter, peaceful setting, where you can hear the birds sing. I think it’s great that we've managed to open cafés in two completely different locations. My wife also runs her own pastry shop—Chez Dodo Artisan Macarons, and as the name suggests, she makes macarons, but contrary to popular belief, we both agree that making croissants is harder! Our daughter, Rozi, is one and a half years old, and I try to spend as much time with her as I can. I like to organise activities for her where we can get out of town and spend time in the fresh air.
Where did your story start? How did you decide on a career in gastronomy?
My parents had a totally different idea for my career path, they thought I’d be going to university - and I did attend an agricultural university, but I left after a year and a half and moved to London instead. My first job was at a large bakery, and the vibe was industrial, so there was an assembly line, a slicer and so on, but there were one or two things that I had to do by hand, like making little scones or loaves of bread, which I really enjoyed. I liked kneading dough, it’s a bit like playing with clay, and it was such a good feeling to see the end result of my work, so I stayed there. Later, I decided to work at an artisan bakery in London, and by the time I moved back home, I knew exactly what type of bakery I wanted to work at. It took me ten years to get where I am now, but I succeeded.
When I first started working with croissants, it was still a secondary product in Budapest, it wasn’t really something people cared about. In the beginning, sourdough bread was what caught people’s attention, while croissants were left on the periphery in most bakeries. But I was crazy about croissants, their flaky layers and texture, and I've been trying to improve my skills since day one. I like to keep up with current trends, to make sure that what you get at Freyja is no different or worse than what you’d get in Denmark or France, and I do think that we’ve reached that level, with Freyja croissants you’ll get great quality paired with a fulfilling taste.
What does your daily routine look like?
I usually get up early, at 4am each morning and I know it sounds painful, but it’s manageable. At Freyja we don’t have night shifts, only a dawn shift, and I like to be here first and see how the pastries are coming along. If something goes wrong, or there’s some sort of mistake then I like to be around as I'll probably be the one to come up with a solution. Otherwise, in the mornings, I take our dog for a walk before I come to work, while Dóri is with Rozi, and she takes her to nursery. I'm usually here until about noon, I’ll also do kitchen work, until the others arrive at 6am, and then I’ll hand over the tasks and we’ll discuss what needs to be done in our morning meeting for the day.
The other half of my day is more about planning, and how to prepare for different days, bank holidays, national holidays etc. As our pastries don't have a shelf life, probably about an hour daily is spent trying to decipher the indecipherable. How many customers are we going to have? Is it going to rain, will there be tourists coming our way? So it’s a guessing game.
Once I’m home, I’ll take the dog out for a walk again, do some grocery shopping or I’ll head out to our local swimming pool in the afternoon. I also collect Rozi from nursery, and then we spend a few hours at the playground. In the evenings we’re all together at home, and after Rozi’s put to bed, Dóri and I like to have a glass of wine, and relax a bit before we head to bed as we both have an early start.
What's in your bag?
Recipe Notebook - I like to keep my recipes on paper, instead of going digital. As our hands are “dirty” in the kitchen, we don’t take our phones out often, so it’s not a great idea to check recipes on them. An old fashioned, handwritten recipe book does the trick.
Norwegian Dictionary - I spent a month working in Trondheim, Norway two years ago. I really liked working there, but it wasn’t the best because I didn't know a word of Norwegian. I’ve been studying the language for over a year now, and I enjoy it. Trondheim will be the host of Bocuse d'Or Europe 2024, so we’re super keen to go back with Dóri next year for a week or two.
Cream Scraper - I always keep a few with me in my bag, because it’s something that keeps going missing in the kitchen, we use them a lot.
Perfume - This was a present from Dóri, and she expects me to use it (Peti laughs). I don't get dressed up when I go to work in the kitchen, but Dóri does, so with me using perfume is where we meet halfway.
Swimming Pass - I love being in water, and swimming is my go-to sport. We visited Canada last summer and went swimming a lot, although the water was so cold we had to swim in neoprene.
Baby Dummy - This is also for Rozi, she’s now a year and eight months old, so she’ll have to give it up soon.
Moncsicsi Baby Doll - It’s one of Rozi’s favourite toys. This was actually my mum's from her childhood and Rozi inherited it from her, she loves it.
Madzagdog Leash and Collar - I’ve been a proud dog owner for eight years now, and this leash and collar is for my whippet, Bread. It was a wedding present from our friend Melinda.
YKRA MATRA MINI LS WHITE - I like things that are sleek and simple. I drink espresso coffee, I eat plain croissants with butter, and I'm always looking for things that fit in with my style and support simplicity. I'm not that great with colours, or what goes with what, so this white bag is my jolly joker. I can wear it with anything, and the best part is that flour stays invisible on it, which is the number one ingredient that gets on all my stuff!
Hi Matti, please introduce yourself and tell us about your background and work.
I graduated in Photography from Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design in 2016, and I’ve been working as a freelance photographer since. I love to travel, and when I’m not exploring or working with a mix of international and Hungarian clients abroad, I’m based in Budapest.
I spend my days working hard, and I'm in the very fortunate position that most of my clients reach out to me based on my visual perspective and the way I see things. Usually, I’ll do a personal project or a series, which gains attention online and with it, new clients. During the quarantine period I did a lot of still lifes for my own pleasure, and subsequently, I was approached by brands who wanted me to use the same approach for their projects. Often my role is to create a mood which captures the brand’s philosophy, rather than taking photos of a product alone. That's one area of my work, while the other revolves around architecture. I've been lucky enough to work with a number of architecture firms and interior designers, which I really enjoy.
What does your average day look like?
No two of my days are the same, and my schedule often depends on what stage a project is at. Generally, I get up at around 8am, drink a cup of coffee—I can’t start my day without it—and then the mornings are spent with admin, e-mails, or preparing for projects, which means making concept plans, location scouting, and doing research. If a project has already been completed then I’ll spend the afternoon in meetings and video calls with clients, I like to focus on retouching in the evenings at home.
What characteristics make your photographs recognisable?
I’d like to think that my work does have very characteristic traits, and that’s because I place a lot of emphasis on color, light and composition. You could even say I'm a bit obsessive, but for me a straight line has to be straight, and I don't take a picture until I feel everything is in perfect harmony. There's unity in all my images—my aim is to have a consistent body of work. People also say that my photographs have a sense of calm, a nostalgic, surreal, dreamlike feeling and so on, although I feel that there’s been a slight shift in my work recently. I like to take everyday objects or things I see out of context and place them in new surroundings for an unusual twist. When it comes to architecture, I’m a fan of modernism, and I’m keen on photographing buildings.
How do you spend your time outside of work?
Photography takes up so much of my time, and is a source of happiness, so everything else I do just complements it. Whenever I can, I visit Lake Balaton. I was born in its vicinity, so I also visit my family and spend time in water and nature. A new hobby of mine is bodyART, I go to classes twice a week. After many years spent searching, I feel like I’ve finally found my sport!
On the topic of travel, are there any places that you’re drawn to, or you feel the urge to go back to?
When it comes to trips, I have my favorite architects, and their dream buildings are what I like to visit and photograph, so that’s always a good reference point for planning holidays. Otherwise, the Mediterranean, or wherever it's warm and sunny, is always great. Spain, and Mallorca in particular, is close to my heart. Cold and rainy weather is not my thing.
Headscarf - I wear headscarfs a lot because my hair is often messy, and when I'm taking photos it can be a problem. It's annoying when my hair gets in the way of my view. This piece is such a lifesaver, and it's a great way to dress up any outfit.
Lip Balm - I always keep it with me as my lips dry out quickly, staying moisturized is key.
Keychains - There are two keychains I’m very fond of. One of them represents the Siófok Water Tower, and I bought it back when I was living in London and visiting home for a short time. In normal circumstances I wouldn’t buy a keychain representing my hometown, but I wanted to have something with me wherever I go that reminds me of home. The little wooden keychain is from a small street vendor in Balatonszárszó from an old man who carved it in his workshop.
Necklace - It’s a secondhand piece. I love freshwater pearls and I bought it at a little store with flea market vibes.
Diary - I always take it with me whenever I go to client meetings. I’m not that keen on digital diaries or calendars, but sometimes when I have online meetings they can be useful, but I still prefer writing things down by hand.
Analogue Camera - This was a present from my friend Ali for my 30th birthday. It's practical and lightweight, I take it with me on trips, when I’m with friends, or to family events.
YKRA SIDE POUCH - This bag holds everything I need and comes everywhere with me. When I go traveling it’s the perfect fit for my passport, mask, disinfectant and lip balm. It's been to a lot of places, from Balaton, Rome and Mallorca, to Morocco, and on all the airlines I’ve flown with, none of them counted it as a separate bag. It was a gift from my sister.
Sunglasses - My eyes are super sensitive eyes, so I usually wear sunglasses in the winter and the summer. The case belonged to a friend of mine's grandparents', it's a long story, but the point is that it's also secondhand, so to speak.
Pebbles - I'm a pebble lover and collector, and wherever I go, say I'm traveling or hiking, I always keep an eye out for a pebble to find. I like pebbles with a smooth surface or a special shape and I often keep them in my pocket or in my bag because they’re simply nice to touch. These ones are from Croatia, Italy, and I’m sure at least one of them is from the Danube coast. We have a tradition between my siblings that if one of us goes traveling separately from the rest of us, they’ll bring back a pebble as a gift.
I also like making sculptural compositions from pebbles. Each one has its own place and they fit together so well. I think it's nice that they're from completely different countries and places, yet somehow the water and weather eroded them and shaped them to complement each other. It’s like this is how they were always meant to be.
photos by Botond Wertán
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For this seasons limited editions we created a 70's inspired style selection to go with your beautiful Trippy Fish products whether they're Rose or Blue.
The TRIPPY FISH collection is inspired by the local legend that at the 1970 “Christmas Happening” in Laguna Beach California, Timothy Leary went up in a little Cessna airplane to spread the love, by dumping LSD over the festival grounds, and some of the flying ACID landed in a neighbors Koi fish pond.
Our style selection will drop you right into the era for some groovy trippin!
1. YKRA - MATRA MINI Leather Strap and Bottom - Trippy Fish Blue
2. Marimekko - Pieni Tiiliskivi cushion cover
3. L.F. Markey - Dominic boilersuit cobalt
4. Duralex - Le Picardie Marine Tumbler
5. VNLA - A La Mode - Jelly Roll (Creamsicle)
6. OCTAEVO - Tempo Incense Holder
7. Plante. - Sansevieria Futura Superba
8. studio ROOF - Clown triggerfish
9. Kaweco - Classic SPORT Ball Pen Green
10. LAVA - MODEL 5224, 16.3″ LAVA® Lamp
11. BOO Studio - Slip Through Scarf (Two Peas in a Pod)
12. The Beatles - Yellow Submarine LP
13. 24bottles - Urban Bottle Emerald Green 500 ml
14. NOVESTA - STAR MASTER 59 CEDER/003 TRANSPARENT
15. KJP - Celeste Hand Towel Green
16. HAY - Bottoms Up Vase (Electric blue)
17. CROSLEY -CRUISER PLUS RECORD PLAYER (Mint)
18. ETNIA - Humphrey sunglasses
1. YKRA - Matra Mini Leather Strap and Bottom - Trippy Fish Rose
2. KJP - Henny - Rhubarb & Custard
3. Penguin Books - Amazing Grace Adams by Fran Littlewood
6. Maison Balzac - Essential Oil Burner Amber
8. Kaweco - Classic SPORT Ball Pen Mandarin
9. CROSLEY - Cruiser Plus Record Player (Light Tan)
10. Midcentury Red Floor Lamp by Meblo Designed by Harvey Guzzini, Italy, 1970s
11. OCTAEVO - Incense Sticks Palo Santo
12. ARABIA - Sunnuntai Mug 0,35 l
13. L.F. Markey - DANNY BOILERSUIT WATERMELON
14. Marimekko - Auringonkukka Beach Robe
15. Novesta - STAR MASTER 16 SEZAM 003 TRANSPARENT
16. TESCOMA - FAMILY COLORI Thermos
17. ETNIA - Kubrick sunglasses
]]>Hi Ádám, please introduce yourself and tell us about your background.
I’m a 37 year old art dealer, and I’ve been dealing art for around 15 years now, it’s my passion. When I’m not at one of my galleries, you’ll find me with my wife and our young daughter.
I own two galleries, one is Budapest Poster Gallery which deals with international and Hungarian original vintage posters, poster maquettes, advertising and decorative art and other, mostly paper-based works of art and historical documents. My other, newer venture is November Gallery, which deals with 20th century art and unique artifacts, and we run it together with my partner, Zoltán Földvári.
When and how did you realize that you wanted a career in art dealing?
It’s an area I’ve always been interested in, and as my parents are artists, we’ve had an artistic affinity in the family, although this was primarily focused on theater, drama and music. My affinity towards visual culture, antiques and artifacts has always been strong, and I've been collecting all kinds of things since a very young age. My interest and passion for collecting had become obvious by the end of my high school years, and even more so by the time I finished university. I realized that if this was something I wanted to spend a lot of time doing, I could, as long as it became my profession.
How would you describe the profile and purpose of your galleries?
Budapest Poster Gallery has been around since 2008, and in its official, institutionalized form, since 2010. The backstory is that I started out collecting old posters, and at the time, Hungarian poster art wasn’t something widely appreciated. It was relatively easy for me to start collecting and then trading, and this is despite Hungarian poster art being among the best in the world—it’s definitely in the top 10. I also founded the gallery to provide a space for research, to process, share and trade posters and designs. The world of posters is a fantastically rich one, and I've been working in it very intensively, since the age of twenty, and yet it still holds surprises for me each day.
As for November Gallery, we founded it with Zoltán Földvári three years ago, it was a natural progression. I started out with posters, while he had started out with old books and we wanted to take things to the next level. Dealing with paintings is a more difficult and far more complex field than with paper-based antiques and artworks, the competition is higher, and of course so are the numbers. Paintings require very specific expertise, so it’s about continuous learning and developing your knowledge. We discovered that there are plenty of Hungarian artists with great works, but they’ve not been treated properly in the canon, for example 20th century women artists and generally, art by women, which is a very, very exciting area, as is Naïve art, or Hungarian Art Nouveau. We decided to join forces to discover these areas, as it’s obviously better than going it alone. The process is also very exciting and we’re still in the early stages.
Do you have any favorite posters?
Oh sure, but they change all the time. When I first started collecting, my vision was a collection of modernist posters, the avant-garde of the '20s and '30s, which, by the way, Balázs (YKRA’s co-founder) is also very fond of. But I soon realized that posters of this period are super expensive and generally unavailable, and I had to start looking in other directions as well, but luckily this led me to building up my knowledge. My fascination for this period is alive and kicking once again, but the situation concerning prices and availability hasn’t changed.
What does your daily routine look like?
My average day revolves around family and work. As my daughter is still only 16 months old, we have a morning routine with her and my wife, and once I’ve helped get the day started, I’ll head off to work.
My day is either spent between the two galleries, or at my third job—a foundation and exhibition space in the Balaton Uplands. It’s basically a private museum, which was set up by an art collector couple in 1997. It was founded to house non-traditional exhibitions, which aim to develop and influence the public taste, and I'm also a trustee of this non-profit institution. It’s home to an array of very exciting work, and we organize a fantastic exhibition each year.
On my weekdays I’ll be at one of the aforementioned three locations, and at the end of the day I go back home to my family, so that's how I’d sum up my days lately.
What are your hobbies outside of work?
I have several hobbies, but with my expanding family my hobbies haven't been getting much attention lately.
Ceramics is a main hobby of mine, and I learned the tricks of the trade from my good friend Gábor Somoskői, the founder of Kezemura. I used to visit and learn from him at his studio. I enjoy creating different objects and if all goes well, we fire them once or twice a year in a kiln in Kecskemét.
I’m also a devoted mycophile, mushroom picking is a great way to unwind and it suits my „collecting attitude” very well. I started out foraging with a famous Hungarian artist Attila Stark. We’ve been friends for a long time, and I’m also a big fan of his work. We started spending time together out in the wild about six years ago.
Another hobby of mine is hiking, mainly in the Buda Hills, but as my wife is from Szombathely, we also spend time in Vas County. The Buda Hills, Börzsöny and the Pilis Mountains are my three main destinations.
Lastly, I've been playing guitar since I was seven—mostly blues, and I consider myself to be a perpetually enthusiastic amateur.
What’s in your bag?
Sheet Music - This score is of a blues song based on a poem by Attila József. My dad, Mátyás Várkonyi is the composer, and both the poem and this blues piece are among my favorites.
Guitar String - I usually play electro-acoustic guitar, and the last time I strung my guitar, after about two hours one of the strings broke. I replaced it from this pack, so it’s been lying around in my bag ever since.
Tools - I always have tools on me, I use them for hanging pictures on the wall. It’s a great feeling once the pictures are up, and the framing process is also such an exciting area with endless possibilities. A good frame will really help to emphasize the beauty of a picture, while a bad frame suffocates it.
Mushroom Knife - Picking mushrooms is the perfect activity for me, it’s a combination of foraging, collecting, gastronomy and spending time in nature, which are my go-to pastimes blended into one. So this knife is essential. I love to cook and I’ve worked in gastronomy-related jobs as well, I've written for magazines and gastro columns too.
Survivor Tool - I call it my survivor tool, as it has all the screwdrivers and can openers you’ll ever need.
Compass - Although I don’t go hiking or foraging mushrooms to extreme places, it never hurts to have one on you, you never know when you might need it.
Thermal Bottle - Water is the source of life, so I like to have a bottle on me. It's thermal, lightweight, and easy to use, with no complicated locking mechanism.
Books - We have quite an extensive library of art books, specialist books, and so on. While the internet is a very good resource, reading and learning from books is inevitable.
Japanese tea - I'm very fond of Japanese and Chinese tea, I haven't had any coffee for around ten years now. As part of my tea drinking habit, I also became interested in tea culture and the ceramics I drink my tea from. I approached Gábor Somoskői around six years ago, after deciding I’d like to make my own objects and ceramics. Instead of giving me the cold shoulder, he welcomed me to his studio, and taught me how to create them. A lot of my pieces end up as presents as I make too many to keep them all.
Gyula Tichy Catalog - Gyula Tichy was a great master of 20th century Art Nouveau, and a fantastic figure who passed away too soon. He had an exhibition at the Hungarian National Gallery, which was wonderful. I’d definitely recommend checking him out.
photos by Botond Wertán
Hi Enikő, tell us about yourself and your work. What do you do?
At first, I was interested in studying humanities and signed up for a program in Hungarian literature and Philosophy. However, deep down, I always knew that I wanted to work in the arts. Finally, I mustered up the courage to apply to the Hungarian University of Fine Arts for a Graphic Design degree, which I graduated from last year. Right now, I work as an illustrator and pattern designer.
How would you describe your work, what are the defining characteristics of your style?
I like to say that the essence of my work can be found in abstract concepts. The feedback I get most often, is a feeling of homeliness in my work, and how a lot of people somehow relate and connect to the things I draw on a very personal level or in an intimate way. It’s this homeliness, welcoming atmosphere, or „the power to create atmosphere” that I like to use in my art, and colors are also important to me. I find there’s a strong coherence in the colors I use, and this is also a topic I’d like to deal with at a doctoral level, exploring atmospheres, aesthetics, and memories. These traits are what make my work recognisable, and obviously a lot of visually pleasing elements are also interweaved, like cats, horses, animals, and different elements of nature.
What does your average day look like?
The first thing I do each morning is to take my dogs, two Miniature Pinschers—Sonja and Sushi—for a walk, followed by breakfast at home. I used to skip breakfast when I was younger, and only drank coffee, but breakfast has now become an important part of my morning ritual.
After, I’ll usually compile my daily to-do list, based on my bigger weekly list, and then I try to figure out what I can fit into that day. Besides my full-time job, I have a lot of projects going on at once, so I need to prioritise to keep myself on top of things. I’m at a stage in my career where things are quite hectic. I usually work on my computer, or do the slightly more boring design tasks in the mornings, as I like to get through that before lunch. It’s the afternoons I spend drawing and painting at home, or I come into my studio at nyolc és fél ( 8 and a half in Hungarian) —especially now that the weather’s nice.
Of course, this is what an ideal day would look like, but there are days when I work until the evenings and I hardly get up from my computer. It’s interesting that a lot of people are surprised to hear that I still have a „normal” day job in graphic design. It would be great to make the shift to being able to create my own art full-time, or to only work on projects that fall within my interests, but I’m still in a transitional period.
I also consider myself to be an introvert, so I enjoy the simple things, like making dinner at home, walking my dogs and spending the evenings in. Oh, I also have five cats, so it’s nice to be a homebody, feed them and give them some love.
Do you have any hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?
During my childhood, I did ceramics for almost eight years, and it’s something I’d like to continue to put more emphasis on in the future—I actually have a ceramics collab coming up. I also paint, but it's just a hobby because obviously I’m not a professional artist, but I like the process. I also go horse riding, although rarely as my horse has “retired”, he’s 24 years old.
Do you have any exciting projects lined up for the future?
Yes, a lot of my projects will be focused on creating patterns. I’d also like to find the time to paint more, as well as do more freelance projects, and to work on projects I’m passionate about.
What’s in your bag?
YKRA FANNYPACK - It’s been my faithful companion for over two years and I take it everywhere with me. It fits in with both my winter and summer sets, and as I really like contrasting colors—in my art and illustrations as well—it’s the perfect addition to my wardrobe. This particular orange also happens to be one of my favorite colors!
Bedouin Pattern Purse - I bought this purse in Jordan, and it's a great size, I use it as my passport holder.
Eye Purse - I take it with me when I go to various art fairs, such as Makers’ Market Budapest, it’s what I keep my spare change in.
Inks - I have a variety of inks in my favorite colors.
Diary - My diary is a Malinovka diary, and I’ve been buying diaries from Judit, the brand’s founder for a long time. My diary is my lifesaver, it’s where I keep track of everything, but I’m guilty of also using my phone. There’s a postcard from my thesis on it, which was about permaculture, and I used it as merch. I would take it with me to places, handing it out with flower seed bombs which could be „thrown away” in the city. It symbolizes diversity and how all kinds of plants play an important role in the ecosystem.
Oil Pastels - If I had to choose my favorite medium, I would probably choose working with oil pastels. They have a strong color, it's very abstract and bold. The way you can create different surfaces is important for me, as it’s good for both sketching and painting, and I also use pastels on canvas.
Tiny Fish - I’m a big fan of sushi, and this is the typical shape of the fish the soy sauce comes in. There's a special topology in Japan, which focuses on how many different kinds of plastic fish tubes there are, and there’s even a book on the topic. It’s also a recurring figure in my work, and one of my favorite illustrations is one where I’m playing with it in my hand. I like to use this form in still lifes and I find its shape inspiring.
Doll - I bought this doll in San Francisco when we went to visit my dad who was working there. It’s from a street vendor and it’s cool that there’s also a baby on its back, and the African pattern is unique too.
Scarf - This is a piece from my collab last summer with Bebi loungewear.
Photos by Botond Wertán
]]>Hi Lili, tell us about yourself and your work, what do you do?
I work at Octogon, a Hungarian architecture and design magazine where I’m the editor-in-chief of the online platform. Apart from work, I have an 8-year-old daughter who’s now in second grade at school, and we live together with my husband Robi in Kőbánya, Budapest.
I’m proud of working at Octogon magazine – it’s been around for 25 years, and is a very prestigious magazine in Hungary. It's the only architecture magazine with such a strong focus on design, both in terms of visuals and text, with a critical voice. We work with authors who really try to keep the critique of architecture alive in print! We also have a great crew of photographers, who shoot our carefully selected images.
I manage a small team. Previously, in my role as online editor-in-chief of Hype&Hyper, we had a much larger, extensive editorial team, so right now I spend a lot of time on making things work the way I envisioned. In the print magazine, architecture is a lot more dominant but online, there’s more focus on design. Especially since I've taken the helm of the online division, I've been paying special attention to ensure that the areas of architecture and design can also be viewed as intersections or meeting points. So a lot of my days are spent managing these workflows, coming up with content and working together with the print side of things – it's a team effort.
What does your average day look like?
In general, my day starts with a coffee, a hot chocolate for my daughter, and then it’s the school rush. Running late? That's me. After I arrive back home, we usually have breakfast with Robi, and then we start work – He is a motion designer, and we both work from home and do our own thing. My husband is a great cook, so he’s the one who prepares our meals, and I just apologise for being useless in the kitchen, but I try to make an effort.
On Tuesdays, you can find me in the office. It’s the day when although it’s harder for me to get my tasks done, I can deal with things there that we wouldn't otherwise, like discussing the synergy between our online platform and the print magazine, a front page or things which are easier to talk about and make decisions on in person. One of the changes that Covid brought to my life is that I find it a lot easier to work from home, my surroundings are calmer, so I can tick off my to-do better. Still, it’s also nice to go in the office and be with the team in person.
In the evening we're home, we have dinner together, and then sometimes we play board games or Robi and Fanni will play Nintendo, while I try to tidy things up around the flat. Unfortunately, it’s also not rare for us to carry on working in the evenings, so after we’ve put Fanni to bed, we spend quite a few hours in front of our laptops – working online can sometimes be a real pain.
What’s in your bag?
Octogon - This issue of Octogon features the work of Balázs Danyi, portraying a sewage treatment plant, which is a favourite of mine. This industrial building has great features for taking beautiful photographs.
Watch - I collect watches, and this one was a present from my husband for Christmas. Back in 2011, we visited the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York, and this is a limited edition Swatch, with a design by Piet Mondrian, and has a sentimental value for me, as it brings back all my fond memories of New York
Pencilcase - A while back, I ordered a YKRA bag designed by Gergő Gilicze, and I also got two pencilcases, but Fanni and Robi decided to keep them for themselves! So I had to order a new one for myself, and I decided on this version in white. I've had it for a long time, and while I was a little scared of it being white, it's been holding up ever since.
Earrings - I got these earrings from my friends Petra Hoffmann, design theorist, and Anna Bárdy, graphic designer. They created a little DIY brand together during Covid, and when I saw this piece, with its interesting asymmetry I knew I had to get it.
Leica Camera - This was also a gift from Robi. I’m a fan of photography, and I like to have fun taking pictures. My sister used to be the marketing manager for Kodak Hungary, so I have a lot of expired film to this day, which I enjoy using.
Laptop case - So far my cases have always been really lousy, and I’ve been looking for one that’s pleasing to the eye. Red is a big favourite of mine, and I have a variety of red bags, so I thought this case would be a good match.
Notebook - My notebook is totally full. I usually jot down my weekly tasks, and break them down into daily to-do lists, or if I read a quote I like somewhere, I’ll note that down too. It’s also a place to keep my post-it notes, as you can tell. Sometimes, I’ll also use it during interviews, but I also record as well.
Photos by Botond Wertán
]]>Hi Viola! Please introduce yourself!
My name is Balázs Viola, I work on the brink of graphic design and fashion design, I make printed patterns mainly for clothing and accessories. Although I went to art school and then studied at the MOME (Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design ) textile department, I did not think this would be my profession. It was decisive for my career when we started our own scarf brand, VYF with Tomi Szécsi, and that I was able to be a part of a local and sustainable brand like Tomcsányi from the beginning.
At the same time, I had the opportunity to design for a long-established luxury swimwear manufacturing company (Magistral), where I could see the production and technological processes.
These various impulses turned into experience, the ideas and intuitive attempts became user-oriented, controlled design works. The presence of people and friends I met during university years meant a lot to me, especially when I was between stages.
My first joint work with YKRA came at just such a stage, when I decided to start a freelance career. I knew the team and was very happy for the invitation to work together! It was a challenge from both a creative and a technological point of view, since it was a multi-colored pattern silkscreen printed in running meter, which I had no experience with. I was very nervous, but the whole time I felt that we can work well together, what we are doing is exciting and I can identify 100% with the brand's identity.
You have already made quite a few patterns for YKRA, can you tell us about it?
The first one that I just mentioned, was the OP420, which is composed of "beginner" sailing boats on the water. A lot of sketches were made before we found the right direction for the brand's image: clean, precisely drawn lines and colorful spots, a race of boats on the sunny water. It was difficult to find a graphic design that was unisex and also suitable for adults as well.
Accordingly, my experience is that customers prefer solid colors from the pieces they wear every day. This is the biggest challenge, to make something so good that it competes with its safe solid counterparts.
Our next project was JETSET, which features the different locations of an exotic journey around the World. It was a bold undertaking in that it was made in a surprising color combination: pink orange and blue. The concept that each printed backpack is unique is perhaps most present in this model: it may have an Egyptian or Hawaiian scene on it, but the overall picture is always very similar. This was the technical challenge.
What I especially enjoyed was figuring out the small scale and small details, and drawing it rough, like a paper cutout.
In addition to larger projects, I occasionally adjust patterns made by other designers to be ready for production, which doesn't seem exciting, but it is to me. I have to get to know the work, thought process, and technique of another designer in detail, and finalize it in such a way that it is not damaged and remains imperceptible. The "non-textile designer brain" organizes the pattern instinctively, it does not think about how it will be printed on the material, and the result is often more organic. This work is very instructive, it shaped my design method a lot.
And our latest collab is the KENU, which is currently available.
How was KENU made?
Balázs called me on a spring day saying that he needed a print right away, that he was completely hooked on Italian Futurism, and had made a mood-board, he would send it over, and I should respond as soon as possible so we could sit down and talk about it.
Ha had several visions, both figurative and abstract, lots of colors. It was a very broad mood board, which I thought for days about what to do with it, what to connect this crazy dynamism to. I decided that some kind of sport would be best for this, and my first thought was kayaking.
Perhaps this was because I live next to the Danube and I see kayakers almost every day. There, the sports equipment appears as a streamlined object, the water as a medium - which is dynamic in itself - and the competitive spirit, the will to win, which brings out the maximum in performance. All power and movement. I started looking for pictures and tried to capture with a few lines the moment when the body tenses up and all the strength is concentrated to pull the biggest with the paddle. Later I found an incredibly detailed study video on canoeing. I tried to visually comply with the rules, but somehow the raw power that was in the first sketch was lost - so I ended up working on the original sketch. During the design, I reduced the graphics more and more. There were two versions: a more saturated and a rarer pattern. Here it came up how interesting it would be if we used 2 colors in the same proportion, and one of them would work on its own - so we don't have to decide!
We tried countless color schemes, and everyone in the office voted for a different one because it worked well with many different combinations, so several were made. I really like this pattern, it was fun to work on and think about. I get a strange feeling when I deal with a sports topic. I played competitive handball in my childhood, and the memories and feelings I experienced come back to me.
What are you doing lately?
Currently, in addition to these projects, I teach pattern design at MOME. I wasn't particularly attracted to teaching, as I don't like speaking in front of people, nor telling them what the right direction is, but I have had good experiences and really loved it. Teaching inspires me, I learn a lot from the experience.
This is a platform where the spirit of new generations meets experience. I think it's a mutual good thing. Lately, I feel like I want to delve a little deeper into a project of my own, which is still very vague for now, I think it will take time and self-discipline not to abandon it.
I am researching new forms and possible areas of patterns, but for now I am just reading, researching and I try to connect these with my own interests and experiences. And with YKRA, I am happy to start a new project at any time!
What are your long-term plans? What is your dream or dream job?
Until about a year ago, I wanted to gain experience at an international company, to see how it works - but I don't feel that way anymore. Of course, if there was an opportunity, I don't think I would miss out on it, but lately I'm much more interested in local things and problems. The world is also changing and I think I'm getting old.
Anyway, what I would really like is if I had the opportunity to create somewhere on a huge scale, I imagine some gigantic continuous pattern that fills the space and changes the relationship between the pattern and the viewer.
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Hi Ivett, tell us about yourself and your work, what you do?
I graduated from the Hungarian University of Fine Arts in 2018, with a degree in Graphic Design, and I've been working as a freelance graphic designer since. I’ve been a member of two coworking offices shared with friends and acquaintances, the Bauhaus Collective, and the A-RAD Collective. Things changed because of Covid, I got stuck at home, and I ended up working from home ever since. Nowadays, I spend most of my time — around 80%, working on YKRA’s branding design, and in the remaining 20 percent I work on everything from logos to visual identity concepts for other clients. In my spare time, I like to work on my own personal projects.
What does your average day look like?
I usually get up at around 7:30, grab the first outfit I can find, and take Frici, my dog, for a walk. Afterwards, I continue my day at home with a mint tea, breakfast, and I start working at around nine, with a break for lunch at noon, and I end my work day at around five or six. Of course, I also have meetings, but this is what my day looks like working from home. In the evenings I either meet up with friends, watch a film, read, or just go to the park for long walks with Frici.
How do you like to spend your free time?
We enjoy hiking with my husband, and we spend a lot of time in nature. This summer we also went on many trips to the Mátra — a mountain range in northern Hungary — where we stayed in our small family holiday home. I also used to do contemporary dance, but these days I’m more into hiking and cycling. When it comes to movies, I love everything from Wes Anderson. There’s also a series that I still love to this day, The End of the F***ing World – it’s a British dark comedy-drama show. I also love to cook and bake, and I love experimenting in the kitchen!
What YKRA projects are you working on now?
We’re in the process of redesigning the YKRA Magic Beeswax packaging, and I’m also working on the YKRA Kids calendar card, and I’ve just finished working on our annual holiday postcard. The new YKRA Kids sample, which will be based on my university degree project, is also a big project I’m working on. Looking back, the YKRA Kids logo design was my first work I did for the brand a few years ago, as well as the Matra packaging design.
What’s in your bag?
Pencilcase - I'm super happy to finally own a pencilcase! I used to just throw my pens and pencils held by a rubber band in my bag — it was a complete mess.
YKRA Magic Beeswax - I always have something with me that has a connection to YKRA, right now it’s the new design prototype for the beeswax box.
Eitt Sett Chocolate - This is one of my favourite chocolates from Iceland. I discovered the brand when we were out there on our Erasmus student exchange programme, and I was sent this bar in a huge pack from a good friend. It’s a unique mix of liquorice and milk chocolate.
Scissors - These scissors were a present from my husband, mostly because I keep breaking all our plastic ones – I happened to break one just yesterday! So these are not just pretty, but practical as well.
Analogue Camera - This was also a gift from my husband, we've been using it for 7 years, and it’s been with us on all our trips and holidays.
Fountain pens with cartridges - They're my favourite tools for calligraphy, which I discovered during a calligraphy workshop. They’re such a pleasure to use.
Domino Set - This set is from Ecseri Piac – Budapest’s largest flea market – and the story behind it is that we visited the market during the renovation of our apartment, to buy furniture, and we couldn’t find anything we liked…but we really didn’t want to come home empty-handed, so that’s when this domino set came into the picture. We've played with it a lot since, so it was definitely worth it!
Book - The „Life Under the Northern Lights” book was my degree project when I graduated in 2018. It’s a book that introduces you to 35 creatures living and extinct, and I started working on it as part of my thesis during my Erasmus semester abroad. I really loved working on the concept.
MATRA MINI Backpack - Actually, before this bag I had a SCOUT backpack in blue, and the only reason I updated to the MATRA MINI was to fit my laptop in as well, but now this backpack has become my favorite! It's much bigger, and easier to pack in.
Photos by Botond Wertán
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In keeping with our yearly tradition of ignoring consumerism totally, we asked Balázs our co-founder to share the inspiration and story behind the MATRA:
"As a child I was really impressed by mountain climbers, who summited peaks high above the clouds. Later when I decided to design a backpack for myself, it was a natural step to look at the gear they used back in the days, before the plastic revolution of the 70's and 80's.
I was really surprised to see that Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary climbed the worlds highest peak with simple canvas backpacks. That really made a mark on me, that you could essentially scale the worlds highest peak with rudimentary gear like that.
The other thing that really influenced me was the Swiss army backpacks. I had a really cool climbing backpack during my university years, but once the plastic parts got old, the elastic cords loosened, the backpack was unrepairable, and I was sad that I had to throw it out after just 4-5 years of use.
Meanwhile I had friends use these Swiss army canvas backpacks from the 1960's that were still going strong, with leather parts that aged beautifully and had patina, and if it ever needed you could repair the bag yourself with a needle and a thread. Sure it wasn't super light, but it was comfortable, and these bags were still around after more than 50 years.
Think about it, what product can you buy today, that will last for that long? This was my main inspiration for the MATRA and the MATRA MINI backpacks, to create backpacks, that would endure, and could be repaired, so they could last for years and years. The MATRA took more than 11 years to perfect, and it went through multiple iterations before we arrived at it's current form. I wanted it to be rugged and durable, but also comfortable and modular, in case you wanted to detach those side pockets during every day use.
After multiple rounds of prototyping with the help of Franciska our design assistant, we arrived at this version which got really good reviews from our testers. Like all of our products, before actually starting to sell it, we test it ourselves. For me that meant climbing a Mountain with the MATRA, if it could do that, I would be satisfied with it.
So we set off to Austria to a small village at the end of a mining valley, at the foot of the Lugauer, with two good friends Pavel and Gábor. As usually we were in a rush and had no time to wax the backpacks. But being outdoors, in these majestic mountains you forget quickly about testing a backpack, and you go into climbing mode, by the time we reached the peak at 4pm and the sun started to set, my legs started to hurt from my shoes. And that's when I realized just how comfortable the MATRA turned out: I didn't even notice it was there!
The side pockets served us well for storing water bottles and cameras, things you want to access quickly without necessarily starting to dig around in your pack. This is what I really like about the MATRA, that it works not only as a vintage style everyday backpack, but would have served those climbers back in the day equally well!"
Hi Zsófi, please introduce yourself
I've been working as an artist for the past 20 years, and I define myself as a painter. Besides painting—which is what I spend the most of my time on— I'm also the co-author of the book series Everyone can draw (Mindenki tud rajzolni), with my friend Zsuzsa Moizer. This is an activity book we made for children, to help increase their confidence through drawing.
Tell us about your latest exhibition
This November, my new catalogue was published and new paintings were exhibited at Deák Erika Gallery. It was a one-day pop-up exhibition, and in January, I’ll be exhibiting in a group show at a Paris-based gallery.
What does an average day of yours look like?
I have a set routine: I come to my studio every day, it’s where I draw and paint and also prepare for the exhibitions. The only days I skip sometimes are on the weekends. I like to go swimming in the mornings, but usually I just come here first. I unpack, drink a coffee and start my day working on one of my paintings. I simultaneously work on several pictures, so there’s always five or six drying in my studio at once.
I sometimes just sit in my chair thinking about different colours and what will make a composition work, and I spend my time mixing colours and experimenting. Other days, I have to deal with administrative tasks as well. Sometimes, I welcome visitors in the studio or I go out for meetings. The best days are when I can spend my whole day in front of a canvas.
How would you describe your work process?
That’s a great question. Personally, inspiration is always part of the process, which comes in many forms. I like to travel abroad to gain different types of impulses and inspiration—for example, after spending four months in Japan I felt inspired to make box art and installations. Nowadays, if I’m not travelling somewhere, music, concerts, friends and relationships are keeping me inspired. I also always have the urge to make small drawings, it’s like a visual diary. I usually have around 15-20 sketches on hand, and some of these will become paintings in different scales. I imagine the size, the colours, sketch the base, and paint the background colour, depending on the mood I want to express. From this point on, my painting process is a constant layering of paint, and in some cases, there are parts of the painting that take months to dry. Once a painting is ready, a photographer will come to take pictures of it. Later I’ll take it to an exhibition, where it’s either sold or it comes back to me to the studio.
How do you spend your evenings, when you’re not painting?
That’s my time for socialising. It’s when I meet with friends, attend art exhibition openings, book signings and author talks, or when I go to the theatre. As I spend the day working alone in my studio, it’s nice to be around people and meet up with friends in the evenings.
Do you find it hard to part with your pictures?
You’d be surprised, but not really. Once I've finished a painting, I’ve told my story, and I feel like I’ve made it visible. I often have my own feelings and story to tell with my art, but I think it's best if the viewer has their own story so they can connect with the painting in their own way.
I’ve become good friends with many of the collectors who own my art, so I know my pieces are in good hands, well looked after, and if I need to, I can ask to borrow them for an exhibition.
A new catalogue of my works from the past three years has just been published, and it features my sketches, sculptures, drawings and paintings.
What are your plans for the future?
Simply: To carry on. In my view, each painting of mine is an independent piece of work, but I’d also like to refer to Ilona Keserü or Imre Bak on how they’ve built an oeuvre—which they’re still working on. In the future, I’d like to be able to look back on my art and see that my work has developed, that I’ve been through an evolution, and this is a process I’d like to work on. Of course, my aim is also for my artwork to be in the right places, in museums, in collections, to have acclaimed exhibitions, and for my work to have an international presence.
Finally, what’s in your Sailorpack?
Muji pens: I always have my Muji pens with me, I use them for simple sketches in my sketchbook and on small pieces of cardboard paper I keep with me. It’s important to have paper and pens with me all the time.
Pencil case: I got this pencil case from my Japanese friend Hiro, and this is the case that comes with me when I go abroad.
Swimming gear: I go swimming regularly, so I also keep my swimming stuff with me in my backpack. Certain parts of my painting process can be very monotonous, and swimming helps me relax, and I’m also preparing for the Balaton Crossing, a yearly summertime swimming event on the Balaton, Hungary's largest lake, so that’s an incentive. We try to go together with my brother Lőrinc, we’ve been doing it for years. It’s a 5,2km swim, and it's a very great feeling to make it.
Earphones: I don’t go anywhere without them. I generally listen to electronic music.
Photos by Botond Wertán
Hi Dóri, please tell us about yourself and the inspiration behind your brand.
Sure, I’m a 34 year old fashion designer, and the head designer, founder, and CEO of my eponymous brand, TOMCSANYI, which I’ve been working on for the past 10 years. It's a small, sustainable, slow fashion womenswear brand, and all the garments and collections are made in my downtown studio in Budapest.
The essence of the brand is it's post-socialist, Eastern European and Hungarian, and it tells iconic stories and processes themes that resonate with both myself and our customers — whether it's about Kádár cubes (socialist village architecture), metro line M3, or Malév (the famous MALÉV Hungarian Airlines). I'm also inspired by things that seem insignificant, are almost unnoticeable, or even annoying to people, like mosquitoes, bugs or for example, Firebugs — and I always try to touch on subjects that are connected to my identity. All these different themes appear in the form of unique prints on our clothes, and they’re also special because the prints are made here in Hungary, and these pieces can only be bought from us.
What’s the subject of your doctoral thesis?
During my DLA, I’m focusing on national identity and pattern designs, specifically on how to use Hungarian folk, and decorative motifs — such as the Kalocsai and Matyó patterns that Hungarians use all the time, nowadays especially on souvenirs, but also on clothing, as it’s part of our national heritage. I’m studying how these patterns could be replaced with a unified visual reference that fit the Hungarian identity, but refrain from using these ornamental elements over and over again. I’m looking for a solution so that when tourists visit a gift shop, they don’t end up buying a lighter with a Matyó pattern on it. These patterns have so much value, and should stay valuable in their own right, just as they are, instead of saturating the market.
Instead, a “B version” could be used to convey national identity through design, in a way that is just as visually satisfying, but without exhausting our patterns and design treasures. It’s a challenge. The whole idea came from Marimekko — the brand just turned 70 — as they rewrote the image of Finnish design, and I'm researching their work as well.
How about teaching, what’s that experience like for you?
It's great! I love my students. I also think I’m lucky, as teaching young adults, 19- to 20-year-olds is a really good age group to be around. I can be quite strict a lot of the time, and I’m sure many of my students would say that about me. But really, it just goes back to how motivated I was during my university years, and so I expect something similar in terms of motivation and diligence from my students.
I think the hardest thing is when I see a student who’s unmotivated or lazy, and it can be a difficult situation to handle. My strengths lie in that I’m able to see through situations very quickly and solve problems fast, for example, on how to put a collection together, how to make it cohesive, and how to make everything fit, which means I’m able to help students with solutions and how they can progress — it’s the part of teaching I enjoy the most.
It's also great that I’m always able to learn something new from my students, so it's a never-ending learning process on both sides. I care about how students think about the world, about fashion, and on how to dress. I like to reflect on their ideas and thoughts, and share my thoughts with them, so we can start a discussion, which is always really exciting. I also have a very high stress threshold, which is useful when it comes to teaching and working in fashion.
What does your daily routine look like?
I'm up before 6am, and I start my day by taking my dog for a walk, followed by the morning rush of breakfast, getting ready, and taking my daughter Mimi to school. Mimi has to be in for 7:30am — she just turned 10 this summer. Most of the time I go straight to the university campus, and it’s so nice to have a few hours each morning when the phone’s not ringing, no one’s searching for me, and I have the luxury to stay focused for 1-2 hours until around 10am. Anyhow, all my days are different.
One day I'll be at university researching, teaching, or in meetings, and another day you’ll find me at The Garden Studio & Café, or running errands around town. In the afternoon I usually go play beach volleyball, and then I pick up Mimi, and that's how my day ends. When it comes to finding the time to design, draw, and think about the bigger picture rather than operational tasks, this happens in the evenings and on the weekends, when I can be alone in peace and quiet.
There’s a cyclical nature when it comes to designing fashion collections. Is the design process an intense period?
At TOMCSANYI, our new collection comes out every six months, and yes, the 1-2 months before the debut are very stressful. I spend a lot of time thinking about my inspiration, I draw a lot of sketches, and after the patterns and designs are finalised we send them to production. We also order the materials, we start sewing different styles, and there are dress fittings as well.
Fashion week is the first place where our collection is presented, and once we've debuted there, we consider the collection ready. As a fashion brand, we always work one year ahead of time, and it’s around six months after the debut of the collection, that it’s physically available in-store. It’s in this period between fashion week and our the collection hitting the store when we take photos of the collection, assess which designs are really going to be in demand, based on feedback, or where we need make changes or tweak items a little bit, so they’re more customer friendly, compared to the runway version. It's such an exciting, valuable time, although I do think that even one collection every six months can sometimes be overwhelming in terms of pace.
And what stage are you at now?
We're shooting the Autumn/Winter 2023 collection, which has already been ready for a while, but we've brought in new materials and are developing them now. Our Spring/Summer 2023 collection was also launched a couple of weeks ago. So right now, we’re in a bit of a transitional period, but generally, there are always three collections to deal with at one time, what's currently in-store, what's coming up, and the next collection that still needs to be designed and created, and really, it’s a lot, definitely more than enough for one designer to handle at once.
Lastly, what’s in your bag?
SIDE POUCH: It was a gift from Balázs (YKRA’s founder), and I really like the pattern on it, which was designed by Viola Balázs. She’s my best friend and we’ve also been working together for 10 years, so we’re very close. I’ve also been going sailing since I was young.
I’ve taken this bag with me to several countries all around the world, but I also use it a lot on ordinary weekdays. It’s useful for when I need to carry a lot of things in one bag, and it might look small but it swallows everything. I keep my keys, sketchbook, glasses, mobile and my wallet in it, and I really love these rings, to which I can attach my keys or water bottle, and I also often use the back pocket for my passport and money during vacations.
Pens: I’m always on the hunt for pens with unique colours, different from those that are generally available in the shops, and I just bought these recently in Seoul. I like to use my pens until they run out.
Sketchbook: This one is my current one but I have two or three other ones too. I often draw flowers, and my doctoral research is about flowers as well.
Glasses: I’m not getting any younger…so I need glasses. I bought this frame in Paris about 14 years ago. At the time, I couldn’t really afford it, so I felt guilty about it for a really long time, but looking back, it was such a great investment!
Scarf: It’s a piece from our Spring/Summer 2023 collection.
Lipstick: I have a very good French friend, Théo, and he works for Chanel. Sometimes I get gifts from him, like this lipstick, and it always reminds me of him, so I love using it.
Comb with a cat: This was also a present, it’s an old comb I got for Easter. These types of combs were sold in small shops in the ‘80s, and they fit anywhere, in your pocket or a small bag. I use it for my fringe.
Mobile: I’m immersed in my cell phone like everyone else nowadays.
Photos by Botond Wertán
]]>Hi girls, tell us about yourselves and the work that goes on at Plante.
Plante. is a slow plant and lifestyle store in the heart of downtown Budapest, which opened September 2019. Since then, we’ve welcomed anyone inside who wants to refresh themselves in our little downtown oasis. We offer lots of different types of plants and accessories, and we even designed our own line of ceramic plant pots that we’re really proud of - the Earth and Urban collection. One has a base and a hole in the bottom, so you can plant directly into it, while the other is a decorative planter—both are good for replacing plastic pots and dishes. The collection is sold internationally, in Denmark, Norway, Belgium, Germany and England. We also sell macrame decor, scented candles, room sprays, baskets, nutrient solutions, flower seeds, and plant care books in-store. So if you’ll be able to source a lot of different things at plante. We also hold workshops in several themes: indoor plant care, macramé and floralium workshops. Additionally, this summer we’ve added a special feature, the indoor plant care workshop will be held in our greenhouse—it’s where we store and care for our plants, and it’s a real jungle.
How did the two of you meet?
We met through a mutual friend, Alíz Matísz, who sensed that we would hit off. She sat us down for a coffee, without any specific plan in mind, simply just to set up a first meeting between us. There was a spark straight away, and we founded Wild Flow Bar, which then turned into Plante.
How do you spend your time besides your roles at Plante.?
Mimi: I’m at a point in my life where I like to spend a lot of time in Zala, we have a small press house there, and we spend our time renovating and gardening. It’s a little retreat, a house made from wood and glass with a big terrace and a great view, it’s where we go to recharge. We also go on lots of hikes, and we spend time with our dog Duke, a Bedlington Terrier.
Kata: I also really enjoy gardening in my free time, as well as hiking. Being surrounded by nature is always soothing. More recently, I fell in love with Portugal, when I spent 4 weeks there last year on a surf trip, and it’s something I hope to do again this summer. You need a lot of core strength, so I’m preparing hard for the summer session!
What does your typical day look like?
Kata: During the week it's filled with work, and depending on the needs of plante., I’ll fill in the role. If I have to go to the flower market I’ll go, or if I need to upload a post to the website then I’ll do that, but I also like being in the store and meeting our customers. That's where we get feedback in person, and it makes me feel like all our hard work was worth the effort. Another thing I’m into is interior design, so I spend a lot of time finding inspiration, as well as cooking and throwing dinner parties for my friends. I also take my dog Alba for walks every morning, afternoon and evening. You could say my schedule is pretty full!
Mimi: My weekdays usually start at around 5am, I cook in the morning and then I set the family off to school and work. I have “office days” when I work from home, which means sitting in front of the computer for 8-10 hours, but there are times when I’m also running errands in the city. I go on trips to the flower market, I help with the packing and unpacking, the webshop dispatch, the pricing, and anything physical. I also do most of the communications tasks, including the copywriting and campaign elements for plante. But otherwise, we share all of our tasks, and a lot of the time who does what simply depends on who has more capacity, or who can get the job done most efficiently. We run the company together, in an absolute partnership, so we do the strategy and planning tasks together with Kata. Spring is the busiest time of the year for us, with one celebration after the other—Valentine's Day, Women's Day, Mother's Day, and Children's Day—so the dynamics of the tasks are fast and that’s when we need to have project launch or campaign launch meetings.
In the evenings I try to focus on family time, and the same goes for the weekends, which are spent in the countryside in nature, hiking and cycling. My husband also has his own business in the world of honey, so I also try to support him where I can.
Mimi’s FANNYPACK
When I’m rushing around town all day, this fannypack is just the right size to keep my essentials with me: my phone, store key, business cards, notebook, and invoice pad.
2 Small Stones - These are from the Zalaszántó Stupa, and one is for love and happiness and the other is for health. Zalaszántó is at the tip of the Balaton highlands, and I love spending time there.
Pine Cone - It’s a symbol of how much time we spend walking, hiking and being out in nature with my husband and dog.
Nude Nail Polish - I use my hands a lot, potting and repotting plants, wrapping goods etc. so I like to keep my nails looking nice.
Makramé keychain - The girls made me this one at our store.
Flower Seeds - These will go in our garden in Zala.
Ceramic Spoon - It’s a handmade spoon by Reni Zsiga. I often need to taste honey and this is the perfect spoon to do so.
Notebook - For me, my notebook is part of my slow lifestyle, it’s where I write down my feelings, inspirations, and long-term goals, or sometimes just words I want to focus on.
Kata’s SAILOR PACK
I‘m super satisfied with it, it’s durable and I use it all the time.
Notebook - I keep all the important things I need to remember in it.
Keys - I have a lot of keys, but they’re all essential.
Alba’s leash - Alba’s my dog, she’s a German Shorthaired Pointer, and I take her for walks during the day.
Soil Moisture / Ph Meter - It’s not something I always have on me, but it’s something I often need.
Wildflowers Book - I usually take it with me when I go hiking, I like to know what flowers I see when I’m outside.
Hand cleanser - Since Covid, it’s something that has a permanent home in my bag.
Essential Oil - It helps me relax, and has a nice smell too, it’s a mix of Bergamot, eucalyptus, and lavender.
Glasses - I need them for reading.
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Hi Omár, tell us a little about your job, what do you do?
I’m an attorney-at-law, and YKRA is among my clients! Balázs, YKRA’s founder, is an old friend of mine, and we were friends before he became my client, so that’s how backpacks came into my life. Besides YKRA, I also have other clients from the creative industry, but the majority of my work revolves around civil cases like real estate and investments. I work as a sole practitioner, but I share an office and secretary with 9 other attorneys.
What does your average day look like?
My day starts with having breakfast with my wife and six-year-old daughter, and I’m the one that takes her to nursery school after, which is on the opposite side of the river. After dropping her off, I usually work from home during the morning, and in the afternoon I’ll go into the office. In between the two, I like to go swimming or do some type of sports, and then I’ll spend the evenings with my family at home.
How do you spend your free time?
We have a small house in Nagymaros, near the Danube Bend, so I like to spend as much time as I can there, basically whenever I don’t need to be in Budapest I’m there. We also hike a lot, particularly when we’re in Nagymaros and the sun’s out. My wife and daughter also have their own YKRA bags, and we take them with us on our canoe trips too. I also enjoy sports, but as I’m a bit too old for football now, I’ve started to practice individual sports like running, swimming and climbing. My goal is to spend as much time as possible each day having fun! I like riding my bike to work, but riding my skateboard is the best.
Do you let your daughter ride your skateboard?
When we come home together, my daughter rides her scooter, while I ride my skateboard, so we both do our own thing. We go along the Pest side of the river Danube, cross the bridge to the Buda side, and then ride together until we get home. I like to play games and stay as playful as possible.
Tell us about your bag…
Wherever I go, I always have my backpack with me. It’s good for sports, I take it with me when I go swimming or bouldering, but I also use it for more formal events to carry my laptop in, it’s even been with me to court and the mayor's office.
What’s inside your bag?
Fruit - It’s important to always have food with me when I go to the office, and as I don’t like ordering food, I either take fruit with me or something pre-made at home in a box, so I can avoid generating waste.
Camera - When I go to the office, I always ride my bike or my skateboard along the Danube bank, and sometimes the lights are really nice, so I like to take photos. My camera is a pretty old one, but it was old even when I bought it.
Climbing Shoes - If I have time during the day, I like to be active, and I usually go for a run, swim, or climb in the nearby shopping mall, so I like to keep my climbing shoes with me.
Copper Cup - It’s a cup I bought at the local market in Nagymaros, and it’s supposed to be beneficial for your health as a small amount of copper dissolves into the water while you drink from it. Even if it’s not true, it’s still harder for viruses and bacteria to stay alive on a copper surface, so it’s a safer drinking option.
Book - I like to read in my free time and right now, I’m reading “Buda”, a posthumously published book by Géza Ottlik.
Tea Set - This tea set was made by “Kezemura”, a famous Hungarian handcraft brand. The artist behind the brand, Gábor, is also a good friend of mine. I bought this piece from him, although it’s unique as I partially designed it. I came up with this shape, as I needed a stable teapot where the water could trickle down. I drink a lot, so it’s a bit worn and I broke off a small piece by accident.
Notebook - I always have this little notebook on me, it’s mainly filled with my to-do lists.
Electronic signature - This little thing might look like a pendrive, but it’s actually my Qualified Electronic Signature Creation Device. I try to work remotely as much as I can, so this is an important tool which lets me sign documents digitally, even if I’m in Nagymaros.
Laptop - My laptop is for work, but I also read the news on it.
Kindle - I keep my Kindle for professional or educational content, as it’s a lot easier than carrying around heavy, thick law books—you’d need a truck for that!
Photos by Botond Wertán
Hi Ildikó, please tell us about yourself and what you do!
As a designer, I founded my own brand, KELE clothing in 2011. My other passion is a brand named BOO Studio, which we founded together with Eszter Lebó (YKRA’s C.E.O.)—it’s also a knitwear brand, but specifically focused on accessories for children. At BOO Studio, I’m in charge of the design process as well as overseeing production at the knitting factory. Besides my own design ventures, I’m also the Head of Department of the Fashion and Textile Design MA degree course at Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design (MOME) in Budapest, and I also teach students within the knitting and textile design specializations.
Tell us more about the KELE brand, what are your future plans?
At KELE, we used to make seasonal collections for a long time, but we’ve stopped and instead we’ve started designing basic collections made from sustainable materials. We buy our yarn from an Italian company that makes recycled cotton yarn—they sort the leftover scraps by color, as using less dye and water is far more sustainable. In the future, I’m planning to make custom sweaters, using a hand knitting machine, based on individual orders.
What does your typical work week look like?
I wake up relatively early and start my days at MOME, where I’ll have meetings in the mornings, followed by teaching in class. The rest of my day is filled with emails, planning and organising. This continues after I get home, and then I’ll also work on my KELE or BOO Studio projects or other assignments.
Wednesdays are different—you’ll find me at the knitting club. It’s a project I started with first-year BA students in the knitting specialisation. In the beginning, they learn the basics of knitting by hand, and I noticed that when they gather around a table with their instructor in a relaxed setting, the students are able to deepen their knowledge and learn the different techniques in a calm, enjoyable atmosphere. In such a space, when I go and sit beside them, or even join them to knit, they open up to me in a very different way than during a regular consultation—it’s a much more personal experience. This is what inspired me to open a MOME KNIT+THINK CLUB, and I realised it wouldn’t just benefit the knitters, but other students as well, to relax a little mentally.
The great thing about my role as Head of Department is that I have the opportunity to try out so many different things, bring in my ideas, share them with others, and then implement them. I’m also responsible for putting together and deciding the timetables for students, and developing the themes of courses offered through the university’s MA degree. I also find the right lecturers who can inspire our students. Lastly, together with the department manager we’re in charge of organising the yearly fashion show where we try to involve all our colleagues and students in the textile department.
I’m also working on my DLA dissertation, and the theme of my doctoral research is the reinterpretation of traditions in the field of clothing. I started to work with folk inscribed objects, and as I did more and more research I discovered more and more artworks that combine knitting and textiles with writing on them. This is the type of doctoral thesis that I‘ve been wanting to do, where I can display texts on knitted objects.
What do you do in your free time?
In my spare time I read about knitting, and I also love to knit! It never gets old. Otherwise, I enjoy trying out Japanese green teas and foods. They're my favourite.
Tell us about your bag, and what’s inside it?
This backpack was a YKRA x KELE collab for the Spring-Summer 2014 collection, and it's holding up very well. There was also a sweaters and tops with the same knit, and another style which had a knitted yellow and blue wave pattern. Both were made from the leftover yarn I used for pieces at KELE.
Notebook - It was a present from my friend Lukács Szederkényi, who works at AU Workshop. It’s Japanese, and I use it for my ideas.
Scarf - It’s my favourite slip-through scarf from BOO Studio.
Water Bottle - This bottle is also Japanese, from a brand called Kinto. I never leave the house without it.
Pencil Case - I always have a knitting latch tool on me, and I also love Muji's erasable pens.
Indian - It’s a toy from my dad’s childhood.
Leather purse - This also belonged to my dad.
Hauschka Lip Balm and Hand Cream - I’m a big fan of Hauschka products.
Purse - I keep my MOME keycard in it, my public transport pass and other cards.
Clover - It’s from my colleague Zsóka, she gave it to me this morning to bring me luck.
Apple - I eat an apple a day.
Photos by Botond Wertán
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Hi Andris, tell us a little about your job, what do you do?
Actually, my work and hobbies overlap—but more on that later. Currently, I’m the communications manager of Turbina Cultural Center, a new community space and cultural venue in the 8th district of Budapest. It’s a multi-storey, multi-room block, where everything from concerts and exhibitions to food and workshops go hand in hand. My main job is building Turbina’s brand, and managing its strategy and direction. On a day-to-day basis, I lead the center’s communications strategy, as well as our small team—a graphic designer, a social media manager, and our program organizers.
Turbina is still a fresh place, it’s been open for just under a year, but I took on the job as the concept behind it is super exciting. The building is huge—1300 m²—and it’s filled with concerts of all kinds of genres, exhibitions, dance and theater performances, artisan fairs, and lazy Sunday brunches. We’re also big on daytime parties, which last until 10pm, and this element gives the place an interesting vibe. The building includes a bistro, an exhibition space, and a small and a big hall for concerts, parties and performances. It’s so diverse, you could have lunch upstairs in the bistro, followed by a coffee with friends in the sunshine, and then move on to a daytime party downstairs. Turbina has a strong cultural mission, supporting a multidisciplinary experience. It’s definitely an exciting mix.
You mentioned your job and hobbies overlap, how?
When it comes to organizing parties, communications and music are intertwined and support each other well. I've been DJing for about 4 years, and it all started back when I felt the urge to listen to a lot of music, and a lot of different genres at once.
I started going to parties at a young age when I was just 15. I would go to parties and focus on the setting and atmosphere of the place, it was like a field trip. I would study where the lights were placed and how the different types of sounds made an impact. I was interested in finding out what factors make a moment unforgettable.
Slowly but surely, I got to know more and more people in the music scene and I started doing communications for small parties and festivals, which developed organically into doing communications for bigger festivals and projects. Now, it's got to the point where I'm running a series of parties, and the main one is SANTSAT, a one-day outdoor mini-festival, with an attendance of 6-700 people.
What’s the story behind your backpack?
My MATRA MINI backpack was a present from Balazs (YKRA’s founder) while I worked for the brand as a sales manager a few years ago. The back story is that I lived in Rio de Janeiro in 2014 and I was doing all kinds of odd jobs to make ends meet. While I was there, I met a really cool guy who had his own brand and designed longboards, furniture and backpacks, and I persuaded him to let me work for him—and we did, for 3-4 months. The brand’s philosophy, atmosphere and values were really similar to YKRA, so when I came back to Budapest, I deliberately got in touch with Balázs through a friend to mention how nice it would be to work together! This was back in 2016-2017, and I got the job. It was a great period in my career.
What’s in your bag?
Philip K. Dick Book - I love science fiction, both the genre’s writers and books. Kurt Vonnegut is my favorite, and I've just started reading this book—it’s about the multiverse.
Headphones - These are my DJ headphones, but in reality, I use them for listening to my everyday music as well. It’s super lightweight and durable.
USB - I keep all my music on it, and I take it with me to gigs. I’m pretty forgetful, so the safest bet is to keep it on me wherever I go.
Sound card - This card is also an essential for when I meet up with friends to play music—it helps with the recording and music production side of things.
YKRA MINI WALLET - It’s my go-to for festivals and parties, I use it all the time. I keep my ID, bank card and airpods in it, and thanks to its carabiner, it’s impossible to lose!
Sunglasses - They’re from KOMONO. It’s a brand I’ve been wanting to try for a while, I really like them.
Keys - I have a small scooter imported from Japan, and I keep its keys on me, including the key to its chain lock, as well as the key I use to get into the apartment where I keep it parked. It’s practical having all my keys in one place.
Thai Herbal Inhaler - It’s the best. I bought it in Thailand, it's a herbal infusion mix good for congestion and refreshing yourself.
Photos by Botond Wertán
In this months YKRA Faces edition, meet Luca Sára Rózsa, a visual artist, based in Budapest. With numerous solo and group exhibitions under her belt, as well as winning the prestigious Esterházy Art Award in 2021, we sat down to talk about her work, life and where she gets her inspiration from. Read on for more!
Hi Luca, can you tell us a little about yourself and what you do?
I graduated from university as a painter, and luckily, it’s still my vocation and job. Recently, I’ve also started making sculptures—it’s been a turning point—as since then I dare to call myself an artist, so that's my primary occupation.
What have you been up to recently? We heard you received a prestigious art prize.
Yes, last year was a great one for me, I won a few awards, along with some grants, both at home and abroad. To be honest, in this profession, winning awards and grants really boost your perseverance and willpower, it helps a lot.
Otherwise, I've been preparing for various exhibitions, and in the last couple of years I've taken part in individual and group exhibitions on a regular basis—thankfully, there’s been a lot of interest.
I also have a joint exhibition on show with an artist called Kata Tranker at Viltin Gallery. It's an exhibition to celebrate that we both received the Esterházy Art Awardy. The concept is interesting too, as Kata and I are the same age, and she has two little girls, while my daughter will also be born soon—our situation is rare among our age group, or simply among visual artists. I’m also preparing for an exhibition in Austria where three of us—joined by Ádám Ulbert—will be exhibiting as the winners of the prize.
What does a typical day of yours look like?
I’m an early riser, and I always start my mornings with a slow coffee/breakfast. It’s the time I spend on reading the news, answering my emails and planning my day. I also like to dedicate my mornings to some form of sport—running, yoga, or squash—depending on my mood, or if there’s something urgent to do, then I like to get it out of the way before I head to the studio.
On most days, I arrive at the studio at around noon, where I usually start the day with a massive lunch with my studio mates and friends, and then everyone gets to work. Essentially, I have my own studio, as its entrance opens from one of my friends' studios. It's great because I don't like to be alone for long periods of time, but when I'm painting I get easily distracted if there’s movement around me. We often listen to music together, although certain genres of music completely distract me from my work, so at times it's nice to paint in silence.
I usually leave the studio at 5pm and after I head home, where we like having dinner and spending time together with my husband, reading or watching films—but a big part of my life revolves around friends and our social life as well. We love ending the day meeting up and winding down with friends.
Do you have any hobbies?
Travelling and seeing the world is my no.1. hobby—if it can be called a hobby—and it’s a super important part of my life, as well as spending time in nature, so we go hiking or on day trips a lot. I like to sew, cook, and do sports, and gardening too—I even have my own vegetable garden! Taking part in opening exhibitions is another thing I do often, although I’m not sure if that qualifies as a hobby either, and I’m into learning languages as well.
What languages do you want to learn?
There’s a lot of languages on my list! I already speak English and Portuguese, but I want to brush up on the latter. I've studied German too, although I still have a way to go. I understand Spanish, but that’s just thanks to my Portuguese.
What’s in your bag?
Sketchbook - This is my colour sketchbook, and I have one for my black and white sketches as well, but it’s pretty worn down. I keep my colour sketches in this one, I take care of it as much as I can. I like using felt tip pens in my sketches— they’re easy and quick to use, and you don't have to mix them like you do with paint, which for me, is enough when done on the canvas.
Purse - My purse is always full of stuff, and it’s where I keep my staples on me, as I use them to stretch the canvas. I keep a refillable pencil in it as well, which I inherited from my grandmother. Actually, I inherited my whole interest in art from her. She was more into applied arts, and although she never had a degree in the field, she was so inspiring, and created in the field of art. I spent a lot of time drawing with her.
I started experimenting with sculptures 2 years ago, and last year I really found my flow with them, and that’s when I started to make a bigger clay sculpture installation. There were little sculptures inside, residue-like forms, and as I really like hands—I find them very symbolic—and use them in my paintings too, as well as making hand sculptures.
Book - This volume was published by the Rijksmuseum in the Netherlands, and it showcases their relatively unknown collection of fifteenth- and sixteenth-century Renaissance portrait paintings, based on an exhibition called "Remember me". It's such a beautiful book, and it tells the story of the aspirations and motivations these people had in their lives. They wanted to become immortal through their portrait paintings, which I think is very beautiful, and I'm super interested in this subject.
Pencil Case - It was a present from my husband Botond Wertan, (he’s a photographer and also took the photos for this shoot), and I keep a pack of German-suited playing cards in it..
Tickets / Jegyek - These are tickets from the public transport (on water) in Bangkok, and we brought home a few as a keepsake.
Paint Brushes - They’re my essentials.
Photos by Botond Wertán
In the latest edition of the YKRA Faces series, we sat down to chat with our friend Daphne Samaras, a Greek-Hungarian director and member of Kinopravda - a directors’ collective. She shared with us what she keeps in her bag, as well as her stories on days spent traveling the world working on international commercials. Read on for more!
Hi Daphne, tell us a little about yourself!
Hello! YKRA is super dear to me since I’ve seen how it all started - when Balazs was sewing the bags in the basement of Telep before the brand even had a name. I was always proud to wear prototypes and test new models so I’m really happy to be featured here!
I studied photography at university where I got familiar with stop motion and puppet animation. Through those projects, I realized that my way of visual storytelling lies in motion picture. This realization led me to direct more and more films in the last 10 years and that's how I become a commercial director. I feel that these previous experiences with photography and animation still influence my way of directing. That’s why my main tools are mixed formats, using optical illusions and practical trickery to create something visually engaging.
I’m also a member of a directors’ collective, Kinopravda. We mostly shoot ads and music videos for international markets. Our specialty is to create films that need an extra something, a heightened, stylized reality - a burst of creativity. My job can be intense, but I really enjoy it.
What does an average day of yours look like?
When I’m in between two projects, I like waking up without an alarm clock and starting my day with a swim in an outdoor pool. I like it even during the winter because swimming under the sun is the closest I can get to the sea in Budapest. I also spend a lot of time with friends and my family, eating, cooking, or playing games. When in Greece, it’s the same, but with the real sea!
My life becomes pretty hectic when I win a pitch for a new job. For a couple of weeks, it’s all about preparations, planning, and figuring everything out to the smallest detail. My shootings are usually abroad and it becomes the most intense when we fly out to the location. I mostly travel with a production designer and a producer to join a local crew of professionals, so it’s really a team effort from the first day to realizing the script. We storyboard and animate during preparations so we know precisely what we want to shoot. I also love scouting for the most amazing locations or building them from scratch while finding the perfect cast and then rehearsing with them. It’s all very intense as the whole process happens in a matter of a few weeks, but the motivation I get from it drives me through the hardships.
My favorite part of the job is figuring out the extra, tricky bits. Even when I'm not working I watch loads of videos, I gather inspiration and it's like putting the pieces of a puzzle together in my head. I visited Mexico on my last work trip, it was my first time visiting Latin America and I’m still under the influence of it. We did a Hormel Chili commercial - it was pretty technical, but for me, that’s what made it exciting. The story is five friends watching TV and when they start eating the dip everyone's hands stretch to 40 feet long. We actually made the props, and there were 40 meters of materials for the arms for each person, it was crazy! I’m also proud that there was hardly any post-production.
What’s in your bag?
This is my first YKRA bag of many. I like all of them for different reasons. This one is dear to me because of the amazing colorful pattern. This bag is about 7 years old, and it’s a piece designed by Henrik Vibskov.
Mastermind Board Game - I’m a big fan of logic games, and I love playing this one - my all-time favorite is Catan though. It’s a great excuse to get together for fun, (even if we don’t end up playing!)
YKRA Pencil Case - The print is by Levi Csordás, I love this mountain theme because it reminds me of snowboarding. I usually use it for work, for my drawings and notes. My favorite detail is the bear with the scarf on his snowboard!
Komboloi - The komboloi is a fidget, typically used by middle-aged Greek men. I like breaking this gender stereotype. It was a gift and I take it everywhere with me - it brings me luck.
Headlamp - You just never know when you might find yourself in the dark (on a mountain!)
Lip Balm Jar - My sister and nieces made this Shea butter lip balm. I got it as a present from them.
Camera - It's a point-and-shoot camera, it was my brother's and I always have it on me. I also take photos with my phone, but there’s a different feel to shooting on film.
Swimming Goggles & Earplugs - Swimming is my go-to sport, so I always have them on me just in case a chance to swim comes up.
Book - My cousin Aaron gave it to me, right before I went to Mexico. The book is set in Mexico too, but I'm a slow reader, so I still haven’t finished it - I really should!
Stone & Shells - I collect all sorts of little trinkets, stones, and shells wherever I go.
Opinel Pocket Knife - It’s sharp and beautiful. Fun fact: I also have one at home, and it's my favorite knife to cut everything with, even when I'm just casually cooking.
Ring - I once got a ring from a friend of mine that she inherited from her great grandmother and it had the same stone in it. When I saw this same stone plus the Matiasma (the evil eye, a Greek symbol protecting its wearer from ill will) I knew I had to have it.
Basketball Cards - these cards are a playful introduction to the Kinopravda team. We use them as businesscards.
Water Bottle - It was a gift from the Kinomoto team (Kinomoto is a boutique production house network with headquarters in Budapest, Kyiv, Sofia and Barcelona). It's cool because they engraved my name in it, so if I lose it, it always finds its way back to me.
Notebook - I use it for my sketches and planning.
Photos by Botond Wertán
]]>We're super happy to reveal that YKRA has been featured in the spring edition of Hype and Hyper magazine! Hype and Hyper is a fresh new Budapest based lifestyle magazine with a focus on Eastern Europe.
Pick up the latest issue, to read their in depth article with our founders, Judit Balogh and Balázs Lakatos, and our CEO, Eszter Lebó, and find out more about the inspiration behind the brand, how we work, and how a little brand from Budapest can reach international success.
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As Daken Studio’s co-founder, how and why did you start your own store?
It was a long road to get to where we are today. We launched the store 3 years ago with my brother Dani Koma, who works as a carpenter. I have a degree in English but I started working as a make-up artist. The idea for the store came when I was trying to furnish my own flat, and kept thinking about what kind of furniture I wanted. I've always loved the style of the ’60s and ’70s, and it helps that my grandmother was a furniture designer and interior architect at the time, so her house had a big influence on me.
As my brother, Dani is also a fan of the style, he was happy to join forces to create something exciting. We started off by collecting and buying furniture, and then renovating them in my brother’s workshop in Keszthely, and we quickly realized that we also needed to open a store. I wanted to stay downtown, for the store to be accessible and in a place that was culturally exciting, like Brody Street, which is full of galleries and where the community is also really supportive.
We've been here for 3 years, and we have a lot of plans for the future. We're also thinking about opening a café within the store, or to eventually open a bigger space, where we can show more of my grandmother's furniture, as well as the work of my family members who were painters and sculptors.
What does a typical day of yours look like?
I start my mornings searching the internet for furniture—I’m always on the hunt for new pieces, and it takes a lot of time to search, find and then pick up the right pieces. Later, the store opens at around 2pm, and I’m here until the early evening. I run the store, lead the sales and I also take the photos for our webshop and manage Daken’s social media. My brother works in his workshop, and visits 3-4 markets a week super early in the mornings to find new treasures.
We also spend a lot of time transporting furniture, first we take them to our workshop in Keszthely for refurbishment, then we bring them back to the studio to take photos, and the last stop is when they end up in the store. We also organize the deliveries for all of our furniture sold, so we also have one delivery day per week.
Besides the store, I started studying interior design at school half a year ago and with time, I’d like to start decorating entire spaces. I still have a year left, and my classes are in the evenings three times a week—so it’s intense. Afterwards, I usually stay up studying, so next to studying and running a business, I don’t have much free time.
What’s in your backpack?
I’m a big fan of bright colors—the more striking the better—and this orange backpack was an easy choice!
Mobile pouch - I keep losing my phone, so now I use this personalized, leather pouch. It’s easy to spot, plus I can hang it round my neck when my hands are full.
Hair bands - These also have a practical function as I tie my hair up whenever I have to carry furniture.
Pencil Case - I never leave the house without it, I like being able to draw my ideas and sketches for class wherever I am.
Book - It’s a fun, short, illustrated book about the absurdities of life and always puts me in a good mood.
Scratchcard - I like to give luck a chance, as I have big dreams—but I don’t buy one every day, just a few times a month.
Necklaces - I am really into jewelry, and this necklace is a piece by Franziska Németh. The one I'm wearing is by The Sentimentalist, and it was a present for my 30th birthday. I like having extra jewelry on me, just in case I need to switch things up for an event after work.
Lipstick - It’s another essential, especially if I’m going out after a long day at the store.
Powder – It’s my favorite, even in the summer.
Ceramic Crocodile - This was a present my brother gave me when we first came up with the idea for Daken Studio, it’s our little mascot.
Tape measure - My go-to tool. I’m always measuring furniture, spaces, and rooms…
Sunglasses - Originally, I bought them in Barcelona, lost them 3 times, and kept re-ordering them online!
Diary - It’s self-explanatory.
Keys - I have a whole selection, for the store, storage rooms, my flat, and the list could go on...
Photos by Botond Wertán
Hi Jenny, could you tell us a little about yourself and how you decided to co-found your own company?
I’ve been in advertising for over 10 years, and since my junior years, I've always worked on the client relations and strategy side, which is a mix of everything, a bit of PR, as well as organising events.
Ten months ago, we decided to launch our own small boutique advertising agency. It’s been a huge learning curve, but I love it. Two of us are the core of the team, and we both worked at a big agency that closed its doors last year, and it just so happened that some of our clients were keen to continue working with us. So we decided to found our ad agency—Various Arts—in just 2 days. My colleague and co-founder is in charge of the creative aspect, while I’m responsible for strategy and client relations. It’s a tiny agency, so we get involved with each other’s tasks as well, and I don't just do project management in the classic sense—I also like to get involved in the creative brainstorming process.
What does a typical day of yours look like?
Covid brought along a lot of changes, and for the past 2 years, I’ve been working from home. It’s completely different to my previous lifestyle. I usually wake up at 7am, when our daughter Bella comes over to our bed—it's definitely a kickstart to the day. My husband takes Bella to the nursery, while I have breakfast at home and then I start to work in the living room. Eventually, it would be nice to have an office to work from a few times a week, but I’d want to keep it a familial atmosphere. Besides social media and strategic planning, when I’m super focused on a specific project, most of my day revolves around solving problems, with constant phone calls, emails, and delegating tasks.
I usually schedule my meetings in the morning, and if there are photoshoots I’m usually on set, or if there’s a shoot, then it starts super early in the morning and I’m there the whole day—but these are very specific work days which are well planned out in advance. We take turns picking up our daughter from the nursery with my husband. I collect her at 4pm and then the fun starts. Our afternoons are spent playing at home or outside. Bella loves books, so we’re frequent visitors at Pagony (a children’s bookstore on Bartók Boulevard), the library, as well as visiting our favorite patisserie, where we have ice cream in the summer and cookies in the winter. At the moment, I’m really enjoying the balance of focused work alone and then having a break and spending it with Bella. Being with kids is so refreshing, and I don’t like having to deal with work in that 2-3 hour time frame. Although, on really bad days I sometimes have to go through work and emails in the evening as well, but usually we spend the evenings relaxing, just the three of us.
Your backpack is a limited edition oldie, where’s it from?
It was a surprise gift from my husband, but I had already heard of the Bobo Choses brand through my daughter—I love the hand motif and I was super interested in getting the bag, so it was a sweet gesture from him to order it for me. I could fit my whole life in it.
What’s in your bag?
Card game - It’s a lifesaver when we’re on the road with Bella, or if she needs some cheering up.
Book - It’s a new poetry book, with a super nice design, and we love to talk about the illustrations besides just reading the text.
Earrings - These are a Hungarian designer piece, durable, waterproof, and can withstand anything. Unfortunately, the designer is no longer in the design business, so this is a special piece.
Water Bottle - I forget to drink enough water if I don’t have a bottle on me, so I carry it with me everywhere.
Horse Whistle - We got this whistle as a present from friends when we were at a small fair with several families, and one of the parents came back with 5 kids and 5 whistles in hand. Thankfully, my daughter loves horses and unicorns.
Glasses - I got these glasses in Barcelona last autumn when I went on a girls' trip with my friend. There are stores there where you can choose a frame and they make your dioptric glasses in two hours!
Lipbalm/Lipstick - I always have them on me, I like to stay hydrated after I’m out in the wind, plus it's always nice to add some color to my day.
Apple Watch - I switched to it when Bella was younger, as my phone wasn’t always on me, but with this watch I could still answer calls, but I also use it while I go out running or do yoga, so I can leave my phone at home.
AirPods: It works great with my watch, and both are everyday essentials for me.
Scarf: We bought the scarf when we were on holiday in Portugal about 10 years ago, and I haven't worn it for years. One day, while I was packing, my daughter saw it and she’s been wearing it ever since.
Photos by Botond Wertán
]]>The Dutch art movement De Stijl (Dutch for “The Style'') founded in the Netherlands in 1917, was the first to reduce its use of colors to black, white and primary colors. Then came Theo van Doeburg repping the color combinations of RYB (red-yellow-blue). Gaining popularity, this tri-color scheme was particularly important for the color theory of Josef Albers and the Bauhaus movement in the 1920s and ‘30s. Red, Yellow and Blue are primary colors that cannot be mixed from other colors, but from which all other colors can be mixed.
Theo van Doesburg | Contra-Construction, 1923
Fast forward to the ‘70s, and the tri-color scheme made a comeback on the art, fashion, and sportswear scene—influenced by the artistic lens of Wassily Kandinsky, and the Hungarian painter and photographer László Moholy-Nagy.
László Moholy-Nagy | Glass Architecture, cover for "MA (Today), 1922
The visual experience was so strong, that after looking back at family photos, reminiscing on his childhood adventures, and rediscovering the world of Bauhaus, Balázs designed his first backpack, a tri-color one. Fun fact: Our MATRA MINI is still based on this prototype today!
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