With the idea of making my favorite food photography “props” accessible to everyone at home, I founded the label Atelier Agave in 2021. The tableware pop-up has since evolved into a multifaceted creative project where I can express my creativity in a wide variety of ways: through illustrations, textiles, wood, and, of course, clay.

On a road trip in the summer of 2021, I happened to pass by several ceramics factories in Portugal—and, of course, I couldn’t resist asking about their purchasing terms. After five years of working with tableware as a food photographer, I knew exactly what kind of tableware I liked, and I was already dreaming a little about starting my own brand.

I was lucky enough to find a small workshop that immediately offered to help me create my very own line. I didn’t let this opportunity slip by: I enrolled in an intensive pottery course and spent the next 6 months in the pottery studio—every day, for several hours! After all, I wanted to be able to develop and test my own designs before putting them into production.

After two years of preparation, things are really taking off—with our own pop-up shop and our first major clients in the restaurant industry. The product line is expanding, with a focus on classic Nordic colors that perfectly showcase the food.

In addition to tableware, we offer wooden products, candles, and vases. In September, we’ll be opening our first permanent store at Josefstrasse 8 in Zurich.

During the long hours that the pop-up shops and the store are open, I have time to make extensive use of the stylus on my iPad. I start illustrating cards and designing motifs that go well with my products, which are often bought as gifts. For the coffee mugs, I develop new colors and color combinations.

From kitchen textiles, we’re branching out into caps and bath towels: We’re playing with themes of food and local life, not limiting ourselves to just the kitchen. The illustrations are taking on a life of their own—there are now posters and bath towels for your lunch break by the Limmat—it’s going to be exciting!