Kitiya is a multi-disciplinary artist and founder of Kitiya Palaskas Studio, known for its bold, colourful, and playful approach to design. She has built an impressive career by blending traditional techniques with contemporary aesthetics, collaborating with global brands such as adidas Originals, LEGO, Disney, and Adobe to create stunning props, installations, and content that highlight the beauty of handmade art.

Her passion for creativity led her to study printmaking and launch a fashion and accessories label. Her distinctive vision soon caught the attention of stylists and art directors, leading to commissions for custom props and set pieces. This paved the way for major brand collaborations, establishing her as a key figure in creative production.

Throughout her career, Kitiya has championed the value of tactile work, advocating for its importance in an increasingly digital world. She believes handmade creations foster a personal connection between the maker and the viewer, evoking curiosity and appreciation for the time, skill, and detail involved. Whether through behind-the-scenes glimpses of her work or DIY projects, Kitiya is passionate about preserving the value of craft culture and inspiring others to embrace it.

Can you tell us about your background and journey into design and crafting? What inspired you to start Kitiya Palaskas Studio?

Creativity has been my passion from a young age, and I've dabbled in so many different artistic pursuits over the years. I've also always known I wanted to forge my own career path and run my own business. I value freedom a lot in all aspects of life and relish the idea of each hour of the day being mine to curate. I wanted to build a career for myself that allowed me to follow my creative passions wherever they led and go with the flow of my creative energy, rather than being restricted by the 9-5. After graduating from art school (where I studied printmaking) I started my own fashion and accessories label and worked part time at Better Homes and Gardens as the craft online editor while running a DIY blog on the side. A stylist I sometimes assisted during that time would commission me to create bespoke handmade accessories, props and set pieces for her shoots, and that was a catalyst that led to more custom craft-based work for photographers, art directors, and creative directors. Soon I was being commissioned for craft-based design projects for all sorts of big brands and my career evolved from there.

In a world that is increasingly digital, how do you maintain the value of handmade culture, and why do you think it’s important?

Handmade art can forge strong personal connections between the maker and the viewer because when you look at something handmade you instantly feel the tactility. It makes you imagine the maker creating it, wonder who they are, how it was made, and feel like you can reach out and touch it. There have also been so many studies that show the wellbeing and mental health benefits of making something with your hands. I feel like as our world turns more digital, especially with the rise of AI, there's a strong sense that people are craving that tactility and authenticity even more than before. There's a return to handmade pursuits - like craft hobbies, scrapbooking, etc.

As much as I embrace digital tools in my work, I always try to include a handmade element in everything I do. I also think that showing how handmade things are made helps to maintain its value because as you watch things like behind-the-scenes, DIY and build videos on social media for example, you actually get to see the hours, fine detail, and high level of skill that goes into creating each piece. It makes you appreciate it more. The more that handmade culture is appreciated, the more that brands will want to include handmade elements in their projects and campaigns. This has a flow on effect for makers like me, because it provides more opportunities for us to grow our businesses and showcase our skills to a wider audience.

Do you think there’s a growing movement among female designers to elevate traditionally “feminine” crafts into fine art or high-end design, and how do you relate to that?

I definitely agree but I don't think this is a new phenomenon - after all it's what my entire career is based on - bridging that gap between craft and design and showing through the execution of my commercial work that craft does indeed have a place in the design world. I think there will always be a desire for that authentic connection that handmade art gives, and it's been really amazing to see handmade trends ebb and flow in so many different forms over the last 15 years of my career. Just when you think it's had its day - designers come up with new and innovative ways to use handmade techniques in their work and I find it endlessly inspirational.

As a female founder of your own studio, what unique challenges have you encountered, particularly when it comes to navigating gender biases in the entrepreneurial and creative space?

If I hear one more middle aged marketing bro call my work "cute" I will scream! But seriously, one of the biggest challenges I face as a female designer working with craft-based techniques is the struggle to legitimise my work in the eyes of an often male-dominated design industry where the notion of something being handmade makes it somehow less professional, or hobbyist in nature. I don't need their approval obviously, but the bias does pop up. I've encountered men in other creative fields who have walked past the open roller door of my warehouse and asked if my studio was a childcare centre, because they couldn't compute why a group of grown women were in there surrounded by fun colourful craft supplies. I've had high level male execs asking if I "do something like this full time", and clients assuming I'll work for free or way below my worth because "you love craft right? It's like a fun hobby for you". While this isn't how everyone views my work by any means, it is a sign that bias is everywhere and it doesn't matter how successful you are, you can't control the perception others have of you. You just have to stay in your lane, work hard, and keep doing what makes you happy and fuels your creativity. The results speak for themselves.

Having worked with major clients such as adidas, Adobe, Lego and Disney, can you tell us about some of your most memorable collaborations?

Every client job I've had has been valuable or memorable in some way, whether it be in pushing me creatively, furthering my career, or teaching me important lessons. One of my most favourite collabs that I've ever done was to design the Easter packaging range for Hey Tiger Chocolate - a beloved local chocolate brand. This job ticked some major dream client boxes for me in that I was encouraged by the client to create freely without restrictions, and the process of creating this range together was so joyful and easy. I felt like I was working harmoniously and directly alongside my client, as opposed to simply fulfilling their brief, which a lot of jobs can feel like. It was my first time using my signature paper collaging style as a surface pattern and we incorporated my DIY skills into the packaging design too. Each box transformed into a DIY project which allowed customers to upcycle their boxes after the chocolate was eaten and give it a new, crafty life. It was so fun and such a delight to work on.

You’ve mentioned listening to '90s playlists while working and also being in an all-girl rap group - we need to know more! Please tell us about this and what artists are in your playlist?

Yes it's true, I was in a rap group in the mid 2000s. It was a wild and hilarious time and we had so much fun writing playful raps about looking hot in the club and crushing on boys. We made our own stage costumes and accessories, had synchronised dance moves, brought a giant papier mâché ice cream cone prop on stage, and played a bunch of big festivals. It was such a delightful time of my life where everything felt charged with creative possibilities. There was no end goal, we were just having fun and living in the moment. I loved every minute of it!

In terms of music on rotation in the studio - it's very eclectic to the point of being confusing haha. I love most music to be honest, and the playlists change daily. One day I could be listening to 90s RnB, the next, melancholy classical piano. As long as it suits my creative mood at the time and helps me get into the zone. This week I've been listening to Dad Sports, Caribou, Jorja Smith, and Bicep - all VERY different but all somehow very fitting for the many phases of production I've been in as I work towards my next deadline.

If you could customise any sneaker, what would it be and what would be the theme?

I've been a Converse girly since my teens and have worn every single All Star High Top colour under the sun, so maybe I'd theme a pair of these around all the things I loved as a teenager. I'd probably custom-dye them, maybe using a sun printing technique to create '90s-style graphics and images onto the shoe canvas itself. Then I'd heap on lashings of shoe charms, trinkets and beads to make each shoe feel kind of like a charm bracelet. I'd top everything off with some custom laces, maybe some floral ribbon? Probably with some glittery pony beads on the ends. In fact I'm probably going to run off and do this exact thing to my Converse right now, brb!
Talent: @kitiyapalaskas