Despite the ongoing war in Ukraine, a Kyiv-based jewelry brand is preparing to open its first boutique in New York City.
Valeriya Guzema, founder of Guzema Fine Jewelry, has continued to design and produce her minimalist, handcrafted pieces in Ukraine’s capital since Russia launched its invasion in 2022. Working conditions remain difficult. The city faces frequent power outages, and bomb alerts are a regular part of daily life.
Finding skilled artisans is also a challenge. “Almost all jewelers are men,” Guzema said during a recent video interview from her home in Kyiv. “And today, a lot of men go to war.” Still, she has managed to keep her workshop running. Forty-eight craftspeople continue to produce jewelry for Ukrainian clients, who make up about 80 percent of the brand’s sales.
After the war began, Ukraine banned gold exports. In response, Guzema partnered with workshops in Italy and the United States to produce her pieces for international customers. The brand’s collection includes items such as the Freedom Ring with zirconium beads, priced at $220, and a Tennis Necklace made of 18-karat white gold and 18.2 carats of diamonds, priced at $23,990.
Since October 2023, international sales have been managed by Mariana Lenha, chief executive and co-owner of Guzema USA. The company is based in New York City. Guzema and Lenha have been close friends since 2008, when they met while studying linguistics. “It was very important for me to hire someone I could trust,” Guzema said.
The brand now plans to expand its presence in the United States. Several collaborations are already in progress, and a boutique is scheduled to open in early September on Wooster Street in Manhattan.
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