Meet Sara and her tribute to nature.

Tell us about yourself and how you started with art.

I grew up in a small village between mountains and lakes in central Portugal. It was surrounded by nature, so there was much to explore and be inspired by. I've always liked creating, from poems to floral arrangements. As a result of my love for nature, I felt a huge desire to reproduce its shapes and colors.

What lies behind the creation of KIKI & LUMIA?

First came some failures, then many temporary jobs, and, finally, I started welcoming my creativity. The need to incorporate more color and personality into people's lives (when the options around us are increasingly similar and uninspired), to remember Mother Nature and bring her closer to us.
The desire to create something that represents values such as empathy, respect, community, belonging, and authenticity.

"What we wear should remind us of who we are and what we believe in."

How did the name of the store come about?

When thinking about what the store would be, I had some difficulty finding a name that represented it. At first, I played with words and tried to include words like flow, earth, bloom, spring, and nature, but nothing I created felt right. Firstly, it was the name Lumia that caught my attention. My passion for the culture of the Nordic countries, their connection with nature, and even, the meaning of the word itself, meant it had to be included. However, it seemed incomplete to me.
Then one day, I was watching Hayao Miyazaki's animated film Kiki's Delivery Service for the third time and I loved the way KIKI & LUMIA sounded and what it meant to me.

What are your main sources of inspiration?

When I go out exploring, I get the most inspiration, especially from nature. When I see something I like, I absorb it, think about it, photograph it, and then play with the shapes and colors.

What do you like doing when you are not creating?

When I'm not immersed in my creative work, I enjoy simple pleasures like exploring the beauty of nature, whether in the mountains or by the sea. I enjoy swimming. I also like trying new bubble tea shops, occasionally eating breakfast on the patio of a local pastry shop, reading, and spending quality time with my friends and family.

What do you want to convey with your designs and products?

The items I create are for people who love nature and love color. I try to remind people to look around them and be themselves. What we wear should remind us of who we are and what we believe in and I believe that being surrounded by colors and shapes that represent nature makes us more confident, connected, and joyful throughout the day.

How would you like others to describe your brand to a friend?

When people describe my brand, I hope they talk about the unique designs, how they feel confident, in their element, and feel creative. I hope it reminds them of Mother Nature and her beauty. I want people to say that my products belong to moments.

Name one thing you can't do without while creating.

A window to look outside and never forget where it all comes from.

Thank you, Sara!