The idea for Zua was born many years ago, when I first arrived in Bali. That was 11 years ago - the moment I fell in love with the island without memory. Back then, Bali was not yet as commercial as it is today. Instead of fashionable boutiques, there were small studios, local manufactories and artisans creating their works literally on the street: on their knees, sitting on the ground, with full concentration and heart. Watching this work completely mesmerized me.
I've always dreamed of having my own brand - but I knew it had to be unique. For years I searched for an idea that would be authentic, close to my aesthetic and rooted in something real. Only Bali gave me the answer.
It all started with jewelry. I met a local artisan, Hakim, who made beautiful bracelets from beads, feathers and string. When I bought the first models, I felt that I wanted to show this handmade art in Europe. They were different, unique, full of soul - exactly the kind of things that have always inspired me.
My greatest fascination was handwork: crochet, weaving, local painting, furniture, ceramics. Bali is an endless source of craftsmanship, tradition and beauty - I felt from the beginning that I wanted to be a part of it.
Over time, I returned to Bali regularly, becoming more and more convinced that this is where I want to create. I also met Wajan, a woman who today is my main supplier and with whom I have been working for years. She has her own small manufactory, where she and other Balinese women hand crochet most of my dresses. This collaboration is something very important to me, because it is rooted in trust and local tradition.
Today, Zua collections are also made in other small manufactories and knitting mills, but still a huge part of the work is done by hand. This is the heart of the brand, which I never want to lose.
Although the beginnings were mainly related to jewelry, over time it was dresses that became the most important part of my collections. Feminine, flexible, softly wrapping around the body, emphasizing natural shapes - light, sensual and made for movement, sun and freedom.
Each dress is meant to tell a story - of femininity, lightness and confidence. These are the ones that best capture the Zua vibe and the entire DNA of the brand.
The beginnings were not easy. My product is unusual and original, which meant that it took time to reach the right audience. There were ups and downs, moments of doubt, and interruptions related to my personal life, travel and previous modeling work. For many years I was somewhere „in between” - trying to distribute energy in different directions.
Only in recent years have I been able to fully focus on Zua and put my whole heart into it. I believe that it is this authenticity that attracts people today who love the brand for its soul, history and handmade workmanship.
Today I can say that I have fulfilled one of my biggest dreams. In the heart of Pererenan, I opened my first boutique - a place that complements everything I've created over the years. It is a space full of light, femininity and craftsmanship that I am immensely proud of.
