Karla Witukiewicz – Owner and Designer, V'ta
Finding the right mix of technical and aesthetic with emotion and practicality is what makes good jewelry great. And for Karla Witukiewicz (pronounce V-ta-cave-itch), jewelry design is as much about the bone structure of a woman as it is about capturing their essence and creating the right look at the right time. It means building a jewelry wardrobe of versatility—and her pieces certainly accomplish that. With each piece, Karla seeks to challenge her clients stylistically--accessorizing them with designs that make them stand out.
V'ta was established in 1998 and as her interpretation of "Vita", meaning "life", would suggest, her inspiration lays in her own experiences and those of her clients. Karla is inspired by just about anything but what sets her apart is her knack for capturing this in her jewelry. Her designs are often born first from the materials she finds rather than by forcing a stone or metal into a pre-conceived design. With this approach, her pieces have an individual quality about them—a uniqueness in their fit, structure and interpretation. Her flair for finding the perfect mix of modern and vintage, combined with expert technical skills, have made her a sought-after jewelry stylist. She is known for her unique color combinations, her talent for treating metals like fabrics, and being able to perfectly silhouette the female figure. Her clients have often described her pieces as extensions of themselves rather than simply as accessories to be worn.
Karla graduated from Western Michigan University where she cultivated two interests-- business and metalsmithing. After college, she spent a few years working in advertising all the while developing her craft of jewelry designing. As demand for her pieces grew, Karla decided to shift from advertising and established V’ta. She’s been designing for fashion runways, private clients and brides ever since.
In addition to running her own jewelry line, Karla is also the exclusive creator of bridal headpieces for fashion designer Carolina Herrera and creative director for David Alan Jewelry.
V’ta has been featured in WWD, Elle, Cosmopolitan, Gotham, InStyle, Wall Street Journal, Elegant Bride, New York Post, Quest and Italian Vogue.