Ninfa
What is your brand's philosophy?
We focus on the manual work and the techniques behind our pieces, inspired by women and their relationship with work.
Where do you get inspiration?
This is always a difficult question. Inspiration is everywhere, social media is a huge part of our modern lives and we get a lot of inspiration from it, from our customers and friends, everything that surrounds us. But if I have to say a word: women.
Tell us about yourself and your team!
We are a three women team, 2 full-time and one freelancer. We do not have a fixed timeframe. Work is based on projects and deadlines.
I am the owner, and creative director, but I still get my hands on the production desk on a daily basis. I am Latina, from Argentina.
Joana is Portuguese, she is a maker and she is pursuing courses on jewelry and arts.
Kika works as a freelancer. She is Portuguese and an architect most of her days however she is currently working on an up-cycling jewelry project on the side, and she takes jewelry classes as well. Working with us, she wanted to get an insight on how daily operations are for a small business.
In terms of salaries, Joana and Kika are paid a higher rate than the minimum wage. In Portugal the minimum wage is 4,35€ per hour. We pay 5,3€ (contract) and 7€ (as freelance). Besides being owner, and seeing profit at the end of the year, I get a monthly salary as a Creative Director, my hourly rate is 4,7€.
Where are your products designed?
Everything is designed in my house/atelier.
What materials do you use? Where are your raw materials made?
Glass, sterling silver, and stainless steel.
Glass is silica, or sand glass. It is pure and not recycled, since its durability is better.
We produce our glass charms in a small factory in China. They produce different types of products. The lampwork consists of 20 employees, and only 3 are in charge of our account, one admin and two artisans. We work on a daily basis with them.
Metals come mainly from Spain and we have a jeweler that produces some of our styles and does the plating in Porto, Portugal, where we are based.
Where are your final products made? (Include as many details as possible about the factory/workshop/supplier. i.e. name, website, contact information, address, number of workers, etc.)
All the parts come from different suppliers and are finished in our atelier.
What certifications do you have, if any?
We do not have any certifications.
What are you most proud of as a brand?
I am very proud that Ninfa has been able to economically sustain and support a group of people. Being able to work with friends strengthened our relationships. It continues to amaze me. I am also proud of the growth we had and the possibilities this growth opened, the lessons I learned, the people I connected with and the purpose it gave to my life. It is very hard work, 24/7 but it is very satisfying.
What is your vision for the fashion/homeware/art industry in the future?
I honestly don't know. The pandemic situation got me a little blank with the future.
I think that during it we were looking for colors, flowers and a funky sensation, now fashion is turning black and dark, emo-gothic. My theory is that during the past two years, we were focusing on get through it, focusing on life and now we are acknowledging what we've been through.