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August 16, 2020

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Using natural resources to create sustainability

Source: Shanghai Daily | 00:05 UTC+8 August 16, 2020 | Print Edition

WHO is she?

Nieves Contreras is creative director of Lladró, a Spanish brand of artistic porcelain pieces. She studied Product Design Engineering and got a Masters in Design Management at the Polytechnic University of Valencia. After graduating, Contreras moved to Paris, where she worked for 14 years alongside various renowned designers, such as Marc Berthier, Pascal Mourgue and Eliumstudio. Soon after she started to design her own furniture for several brands and created a Spanish ceramics company sagenceramics. Three years ago, in 2017 Contreras came back to Spain to work in Lladró, with a mission of giving a contemporary evolution to the brand, and diversifying the offer, as head of design and, since last year, as the creative director.

Tell us some of your works, and name the one you are most proud of.

In 2004, I created “sagenceramics,” a small brand of ceramic objects made in Spain by regional craftsmen. I was the artistic director, designer and I invited young Spanish designers to create different objects for the brand. We were exposed all over the world which was a very enriching experience.

Now I’m very proud of working in Lladró, because I have an amazing team of sculptors, designers and technicians. We are working on challenging projects, enriching the contemporary portfolio of the brand and addressing young clients.

I’m very proud of the jewelry collections we have created, as I think they bring something new and are very fashionable. They are like wearable art pieces.

Are you currently involved with any project?

Nowadays I’m fully involved in all of Lladró projects. In Lladró, all of our pieces are created by craftsmen and the creation and development of each project lasts at least eight months.

Over 30 people work around one project, with a lot of caring and knowledge. That’s why all our pieces are special.

In the last three years, we have started the diversification of our products, creating not only beautiful and high-end sculptures, but also lighting, home scents, jewelry and home accessories, all with beautiful material, thanks to the skill of our craftsmanship.

We have also collaborated with a renowned designer Marcel Wanders, who has created a collection of lighting called “Nightbloom,” which has been a technical challenge for us. We want to show all the possibilities and a modern vision for the use of porcelain.

Describe your style.

I think I have a very eclectic style. What I like most is creating links of culture in the objects I design. Nature and art are my sources of creativity. I like taking some ancient objects, ancient sculptures and take the essence of beauty from them to create a new language. But most of all I like creating objects that matter, with a purpose and a soul.

Where are you most creative?

When I travel I get inspired by landscapes, colors and shapes. I’m really aware of everything that surrounds me. It’s a time of non-productivity but I integrate all these sensations inside me. Then when I come back to work, I have new ideas about themes, objects, how to use new colors and finishing, which I will then work on with my teams in Lladró.

What does your home mean to you?

My home is my landmark, a space where I feel at peace, where I feel comfortable and surrounded by my family. It is not a place to show off, but a place to live in, to share, where I have space, where I can be surrounded by some elementary objects that I love, and a lot of plants and books.

What do you collect?

I’m not a very conscious collector, but I always take a small souvenir from the travels I make, of decorative or useful craftsmanship of the different countries I visit.

What will be the next big design trend?

Designers are very concerned about sustainability and I think this will be the next big trend, and a trend that needs to last. We need to create products that matter, where we use natural resources in a more intelligent way, creating products that will last in time, and that have a real meaning for us. We need to reduce our consumption, I believe in creating less with less, a minimalist way of life.

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