Know the ropes

PHOTO Kope Figgins and Alix-Rose Cowie WORDS Malibongwe Tyilo

Venus and Serena Williams have bought her jewellery, Solange Knowles wore her bangles on the cover of a local fashion magazine and The Huffington Post named her label a “significant South African accessories brand”. Meet Katherine-Mary Pichulik.

Katherine-Mary Pichulik’s African and Indian-inspired necklaces and bangles made out of rope and found objects have the stylista set in a tizz trying to get their hands on a piece. Visit any South African fashion blog and you’re bound to see one of her custom-made ornate pieces sporting pom-poms, colourful bells and just about anything else that inspires her, as seen on the jewellery she designed for Jupiter Drawing Room’s Constructus creative workshop pictured above.

In Katherine-Mary’s life, colour is not limited to her creations. Born in Morningside, Johannesburg, she lived in South East London during the 2011 riots and has called India her home. It was in Varanasi, on the banks of the river Ganges, as she looked over the city’s rooftops and watched children play with kites, that she had the flash of inspiration that lead to her forming her brand, Pichulik.

Fortunately for one lucky VISI reader, the designer has created a once-off piece for us. You want it, do you? Enter here.

Who are you?

I am Katherine-Mary Pichulik: love child of industrial designer Kenneth Hall and public relations businesswoman Patricia Pichulik. My great-grandmother was from Latvia, My grandmère (French: grandmother) was born in Algeria. I like exotic things, with a specific fondness of cacti and Middle Eastern food.

What is the most exciting place you’ve ever lived?

I lived in South East London, in a pretty wild suburb between Lewisham and New Cross. I spent my days in Brixton Market working in a bakery. I was also in London over the riots in 2011 and was literally wedged between the zones where the action happened. I have also been to India twice for extended periods of time – so I guess that’s pretty wild too.

What did you want to be when you were a kid? 

A food and lifestyle talk show host – still do.

What was the first thing you designed?

Depends on what you mean first. IN my early varsity years I would collect large shells and knot them to string as jewellery. Recently my first neckpiece that instigated this direction into adornment was a collection of Rajasthan rupees knotted to hand-dyed religious ropes.

I remember this as quite a significant moment – I was in Varanasi looking over rooftops while children played with kites, and the idea to make a jewellery and accessories brand popped into my head.

Who are some of your favourite designers? 

Internationally Miuccia Prada for her understated Italian luxury. The late Florence Broadhurst for her incredibly ornate wallpapers and patterns. Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez from Proenza Schuller  Kenzo Takado in the 1970s and 1980s. Locally I love what Michael Chandler is doing with Chandler House, which I think it’s playful and exciting. Chloe Townsend of Missibaba has an interesting visual language.

Should form follow function or should function follow form?

I think it is a symbiotic relationship that co-exists in the developmental stages. Pieces come to me as a shape, or as a palette and then I try to resolve it as a wearable form often trying to balance the fine line between idea and wear-ability.

In your view, does South Africa have a unique design language?

Without a doubt. I think our light, our weather and our vegetation contributes to our palettes and the way we see the world.

There is something quite nostalgic about South African design, a great need to look at the past (whether our own personal history, or a collective constructed history) and reflect upon it within our living environment. Situating ourselves in the clothes we wear and the space we engage in.

How awesome are you really?

Depends on who you are asking! Personally I rather focus on being engaging, interested and inspired.

Pichulik 082 449 0024, pichulik.com, pichulik@pichulik.com