At AUTOR 2024, Kateryna Basovska—creator behind the brand Samokish from Kyiv—captivated visitors not only with her vibrant, transformative jewelry but also with the emotional honesty of her artistic voice. This authenticity resonated powerfully with fairgoers, earning her the prestigious Public Choice Award. With more than half of all visitors casting their vote in her favor, Basovska’s work clearly struck a deep chord. This award guarantees her automatic entry to AUTOR 2025, a 50% discount on participation fees, and spotlights one lucky voter with the chance to win a signature Samokish piece. As she prepares for her return, Basovska reflects on the past year, her creative growth, and the spirit behind her new collection.
How did it feel to receive the Public Choice Award in 2024? What impact did it have on your creative momentum this past year?
To be honest, I was pleasantly surprised—not even so much by the award itself, but by the sheer number of people who voted for me. More than half of the visitors! That brought an incredible sense of satisfaction. Moments like that remind you why you create—not just for yourself, but for the people around you. It’s a powerful affirmation that your work matters. Of course, such recognition also sets a new standard for yourself—a kind of creative challenge: can you make something even better next time? But I find that exciting. For me, as a designer, it’s always a cool path to walk—evolving and growing year by year.
You’re coming back to AUTOR 2025 with new works. What can we expect from your upcoming presentation?
I’m bringing lots of bright and eye-catching jewelry—full of light, shine, and color. I love to attract attention, and so do my clients. My jewelry is never boring. It’s about bold self-expression, about women owning their space and receiving compliments with confidence. I’ll also be showcasing a range of jewelry-transformers—pieces where you can change pendants on your necklace or earrings to create a new look every day. Fashion is a game, and I’m inviting everyone to play.
Your pieces are bold, playful, and instantly recognizable. How do you maintain this strong personal style while evolving creatively?
I think the secret is simple: I create for myself first. I respond to what I feel is missing, what emotions I want to express, and what naturally flows from me at that time. That honesty makes the work cohesive—it becomes a reflection of me and my own evolution. Each collection logically follows the previous one, like chapters in a personal story, shaped by reflections on the world around me.
What themes or feelings do you want to communicate through your latest collection?
The new collection is called “Being Free.” It’s an ode to lightness, memory, and inner strength. It’s inspired by natural forms that are always around us but often overlooked—like maple seeds, which in childhood we saw as tiny helicopters, symbols of freedom and magic.
As adults, life gets heavier, and carefree moments get replaced by responsibility. That’s why “Being Free” is more than jewelry—it’s a reminder of the lightness and joy we still carry within us. The maple seeds in this collection are crafted from metal—some delicate and almost weightless, others bold and shield-like. This duality is symbolic: we are both light, reaching for the sky, and strong, enduring life’s demands.
To be free is to remember that life is not only about burdens—but also about flight.
How are you preparing for this year’s event, and what excites you most about meeting the AUTOR audience again?
I’m not nervous at all—just genuinely looking forward to it. The AUTOR audience is amazing. They know exactly why they’re there. You don’t need to explain why jewelry matters—they already get it. They just find the designs that resonate with them and fall in love.
In what ways does public response shape your practice, if at all?
That’s a good question. I think public response shows whether what you’re doing really resonates. These days, many brands gain popularity through PR, marketing, or luck. But that doesn’t always mean the work is compelling. For designers without big budgets or industry connections, international exhibitions like AUTOR are essential. They level the playing field—we’re all unknown until someone experiences our work. And that kind of honest, direct feedback is invaluable. It tells you what works, what’s missing, what could be improved. It’s the most sincere communication.
What does the AUTOR platform represent for you as an artist?
Beyond the great audience interaction I mentioned, AUTOR is a rare and meaningful opportunity to meet fellow designers, exchange experiences, and learn. In Ukraine, before the war, the jewelry community was quite closed. We knew of each other, but didn’t really meet as we do now. Being part of AUTOR broadens our world—not only creatively, but personally.
