Catalina was born and raised in Argentina, with a rich mix of Italian, Spanish, Japanese, Swiss and Uruguayan heritage.
After moving to London ten years ago she developed her background in fashion design, later specialising in leather goods.
A lifelong maker, her love of craft and working with her hands naturally led her to found THE KNOT.
Find our curated collection of THE KNOTS's beautiful hand-strung jewellery here.
Why you do what you do? How do you feel when are designing or creating?
I do it for the love of craft, the love of beauty, the love of making beautifully made objects, and the hope that people will find something they truly cherish and feel connected to. Making things is one of the very few things in this world that really shuts my head down, in a good way. It kind of feels meditative.
Where are you based?
A question that should be simple but hasn’t been lately! I’m based in London for now, though the last two years I’ve been moving around a lot. I’m currently planning a relocation to the EU (Lisbon) later this year. We’ll see what happens.
Do you have a morning routine / daily ritual before arriving to your studio?
The first thing I do in the morning is prepare my mate (sort of Argentinian tea). I always pull a tarot card too (that’s my witchy side). I take my time, have a shower and then jump into work.
What does a typical day at your studio look like?
Since I’m the only person behind THE KNOT, every day is different. If I have orders, fulfilling them comes first: crafting each piece with fresh energy, with care, and quality-checking every detail while there’s plenty of natural light is always the priority. Otherwise, it varies: taking photos, editing, updating the website, sourcing materials, planning social media posts, experimenting freely, or developing new pieces.
How did your brand begin?
It started about a year ago. I quit my job as a handbag designer and took some time off in
Argentina. During that time, ideas for my own creative space kept coming back. After fighting my inner doubts (‘the world doesn’t need another handbag’, ‘the world doesn’t need another necklace’), I decided to take it seriously and start. A short beading course led me somehow to my STRUNG D choker, and friends kept asking for it. That piece became the very needed starting point.
How would you describe your company ethos?
Considered, honest, respectful (of the world, of people, of materials, of time, of the customers that choose us, of quality!!). I value craftsmanship deeply and the time handmade pieces demand. THE KNOT is also experimental: not everything I make becomes visible, or is turned into a product, but exploration and play always have space.
Where do your materials come from?
I put a lot of effort into finding the right partners. My main materials are semi-precious
stones. There are no universal certifications, but I work with suppliers in the UK’s National Association of Jewellers, or small independent partners I trust. Gemstones come from all over the world, sourced as carefully as possible. Other components are mainly from the UK too, and some clasps come from France. It’s a mix of trust, gut feeling and ethics at the centre. It takes a lot of time, and for being such a small business options are limited but I wouldn’t do it differently.
How long does each piece take to make?
It varies depending on design complexity, stone size, and type of thread. On average, 1 to 2 hours per piece.
Did you study design anywhere or are you self taught or did you naturally fall into this work?
I studied Fashion Design at the University of Buenos Aires and specialised in leather goods at London College of Fashion, UAL. I’ve also taken short courses in different techniques, but what I am doing now at THE KNOT is largely self taught, and a result of hands-on experimentation.
How does your design process work from idea to finished product?
I’m not great at sketching at all, so I usually move directly from idea to hands, or from hands to formulated idea. Sometimes a conceptual burst leads to notes or tiny sketches only I can understand (lols), then straight to making samples. Other times, I start experimenting with materials, and an idea emerges as I work. Then, somehow, I give shape to it all. Lastly, I focus on resolving the technical side of the product: how would it close? How would it hold the weight?, etc. I also wear my pieces at least 3 to 6 months before launching them, to make sure they’re fit and ready to be worn and re-worn endlessly.
What do you listen to or watch while you work?
Astrology podcasts (I’m in my 3rd year of Astrology formation), Argentinian radio, music or pure silence. I absolutely love silence, it’s my controversial favourite!
Who inspires you?
Anyone who is radically themselves and makes unique things, in any field, not just fashion. People who reflect their individuality instead of following trends or rules blindly. Any personal story is highly inspiring to me, especially when it comes from someone who has built their own path in a very genuine way. And personally, my grandparents.
Where did the inspiration for your pieces on the C et C website come from?
I’m fascinated by the concept of ‘adornment’ as a deep practice embedded in culture,
essential to self expression and identity, far from anything superficial. I see my pieces as an ‘ornamental ecosystem’ (or trying to build it at least). I have always been very drawn to knots, knotting gestures and twisted forms too. I think that language naturally guides my hands, giving endless ideas. And the gemstones themselves! I find them sooo beautiful and inspiring, I just want to create things with them and wear them.
How do you overcome creative lulls?
By making. When no ideas or inspiration come, to me it works just getting hands on. It often feels like going nowhere (and I usually don’t like anything I’m doing lols), but weeks or months later those experiments end up leading somewhere. I also consider that stopping and giving myself time off and perspective, without forcing creativity is key. I don’t think, at least for me, that creativity is a stable energy. It deserves rest too. Museums, galleries and beautifully crafted objects outside fashion also help me break creative blockages.
What is your favourite material to work with and why?
Uff, I love many materials. I am very much enjoying working with semi precious stones at the moment. They’re calming, versatile and offer endless possibilities. Leather has always been a favourite; it’s such a nice material to work with, the techniques are beautiful, it provides quality to whichever piece you make of it, lasts generations and can be restored so well. I love it.
Do you have other projects in the pipeline?
Not right now. I’m focusing on THE KNOT and exploring the language of knots in both controlled patterns and fluid, organic forms. Eventually, I’d love, love, love, love to design a small handbag collection too.
What are you reading at the moment?
Nothing!! How bad is that! The last book I read a couple of months ago was Girl, Woman, Other, and I’m still obsessed.
What dream would you still like to fulfil?
For now, I’d love to see THE KNOT grow into my sole source of income, with room to expand the collection and experiment with other related objects / techniques too. Eventually, I would LOVE to do something in Japan, whether that means taking THE KNOT there, doing a long craft course that could nourish it, a collaboration with a local brand, designer, artist or maker, or something else entirely.
What does a typical weekend look like?
Unrepeatable! The last two years my life has been so dynamic that there's no typical weekend anymore. Things might stabilise a little later this year.
Do you have any tips you'd like to share with other artists?
It’s a very well known one, but one that I stand strongly on: FOLLOW YOUR CURIOSITY. Those subtle sparks or inner voices are often the purest guides. I tend to ignore them and wait for a louder, clearer voice. But those initial ones are the wiser side, always. Curiosity is sooo underestimated. Also, don’t crush your ideas, give them time and space. I believe that everything that emerges within us deserves an outlet, no matter how small. And honestly, I’d love tips too!
Find our curated collection of THE KNOTS's beautiful hand-strung jewellery here.
