In the heart of London’s bustling streets and amidst its architectural splendors, a story unfolds—not of a landmark or a historical event, but of Violetta Onishchenko, fashion designer and founder of VIITTA House who daringly untangled her life’s threads to reweave them into a tapestry of her own design. This narrative is not just about changing careers; it’s about the essence of transformation and the courage to intertwine passion with profession. Violetta’s journey from a family law solicitor to a celebrated London fashion designer, specializing in the ancient craft of macramé, encapsulates the art of knotting life’s fabric, making her an emblem of inspiration for anyone at the crossroads of a significant life decision.
The Prelude: A Life Designed by Expectation
Violetta’s story begins in the corridors of legal academia and the rigorous world of family law. With a degree from Central Saint Martins in textile design and a heart filled with creative passion, Violetta found herself steered toward the stability and pragmatism of a legal career, a direction influenced by her father’s pragmatic view of life’s pursuits. Her subsequent enrollment in a two-year postgraduate law course at the City Law School marked the beginning of a journey dictated by societal and familial expectations. We all know how those tend to end up.
The Catalyst: Unraveling the Knots
While Violetta found success as a lawyer at Penningtons Manches Cooper in London, it was her engagement with people, rather than the legal work itself, that captured her heart. Her passion for creative expression, which she recognized as her true calling, rang loud even in her legal career. Here, she realized that her greatest satisfaction as a lawyer came from assisting and empathizing with others facing life’s complex challenges. “What I cherished most about practicing law was the opportunity to support people from all walks of life, helping them navigate through intricate issues such as finances, childcare, and housing,” she recounts.
Her journey took a pivotal turn during her maternity leave, when macramé became front and center in her life. Far from a mere pastime, it became an epiphany. In the intricate knots and patterns, she found a reflection of her own life’s complexities and her yearning to create. This craft wasn’t just a hobby anymore; it was a manifestation of her desire to blend her love for working with people with her creative aspirations.
This newfound passion became a beacon during a transformative phase of her life, guiding her through the introspective journey of motherhood and self-discovery. As she intertwined the cords, creating intricate patterns and designs, she realized that each knot and weave reflected the challenges and triumphs of her own journey. This period of exploration and creativity wasn’t just about mastering a craft; it was about unraveling the essence of her aspirations and dreams.
Macramé, with its endless possibilities for expression, offered Violetta a canvas to pour her creativity into, transforming her approach to life and work. It became clear that what started as a casual interest was evolving into a profound medium for personal and professional fulfillment.
The Art of Macramé: More Than Just Knots
Macramé, an ancient craft of knotting strings into decorative or functional items, became the medium through which she expressed her creativity and vision. This craft, requiring patience, precision, and creativity, parallels the meticulous nature of legal work, yet offers a tangible output through the process of creation itself, something that legal briefs and documents could never fulfill for her.
For Violetta, the repetitive process of knot-tying is closely linked to enhancing mental well-being. “It’s a meditative practice that allows you to be more introspective, which helps in the creation process.”
Her work in macramé is a testament to the beauty of creating something unique and personal, a direct contrast to the standardized forms and structures of the legal profession.
Transition to Fashion: Weaving a New Dream
Violetta’s decision to focus on macramé and establish her own company while on maternity leave was a bold stroke of the loom, integrating her life’s threads into a design she had yearned to create. “No matter how impressive you appear on paper or how much money you make, if you are not content and happy within your heart, nothing will ever be enough,” she tells me. “The search to fulfill your heart will never end.”
Deciding to leave her career in law did not happen overnight. It was a gradual process, and like most things in life, the timing is never perfect. Nevertheless, her choice to depart at that moment stemmed from a conviction that it was “now or never,” she explains.This transition wasn’t merely about changing professions; it was a profound shift in her life’s direction that realigned her with her life’s purpose. All she was doing was taking the necessary steps in the right direction which she says felt liberating.
Launching her own business, she stepped into a world many regard with extreme caution—facing variable income, untangling the complexities of running a business, and bearing the full responsibility for its triumph or shortfall. Yet, for her, these were not uncertainties but exciting challenges to overcome. Her decision to venture forth was driven by an unshakeable belief in her passion for macramé and the belief that she was now on her right path in life, convictions that distinguishes her journey from others. She viewed each potential hurdle not as a deterrent but as a stepping stone, a unique characteristic that underscored her distinctive approach.
As a result, the early days of her entrepreneurial journey were an exhilarating adventure. Growth unfolded through small, incremental steps, embodying the essence of progress. She fondly remembers the countless hours immersed in online tutorials and YouTube videos, eagerly learning the art of macramé. This period of exploration was not just about mastering a craft; it was a thrilling challenge that fueled her passion. Creating her first pieces became an invigorating journey of discovery, marking the beginning of her unique story in a competitive market.
Selling items and crafting pieces for friends and colleagues emerged as significant milestones, which reflected her dedication and creativity. These moments were not merely steps towards her goal; they were joyful affirmations of her path. Establishing a brand, drawing in customers, and navigating finances, while some might view as challenging, were exciting chapters in her journey. Each hurdle was an opportunity to grow, pushing her beyond the comfort and predictability of her previous life, towards a future brimming with potential and excitement.
Despite the many uncertainties, Violetta found a profound sense of fulfillment in her new path that she had never experienced in her previous career. Each piece of macramé she created was not just a product; it was a manifestation of her creativity, a symbol of her courage to follow her heart, and a testament to the joy of crafting something with her own hands. This sense of achievement and satisfaction went beyond financial success; it was about the realization of her personal and professional identity.
Impact and Outreach: Knotting Together a Community
Violetta’s transition from law to fashion is not just a personal victory but a sign of hope and inspiration for others. Through her initiatives—internships, yoga retreats (both in London and globally), corporate wellbeing programs, and Macrame Masterclass Workshops in London—she knits a network of individuals who share her vision and passion, fostering a vibrant, interconnected community.
At Viitta House, she strives to cultivate an atmosphere that mirrors the warmth and acceptance she received throughout her career, ensuring every client and employee feels valued and welcomed, thereby transforming her personal values into the foundational pillars of her business culture.
Conclusion: The Courage to Knot Your Own Path
Violetta’s story is a powerful narrative about the courage to unravel one’s predetermined path and weave a new one, knot by knot. It serves as a testament to the fact that it’s never too late to pursue one’s dreams, no matter how divergent they may seem from one’s current trajectory. Her advice to “just go for it” resonates as a call to action for anyone contemplating a significant change, reminding us that the most beautiful tapestries of life are often those that integrate diverse threads into a cohesive and unique design.
To learn more about Violetta and Viitta House, check out: viittahouse.com or, you can get in touch directly at info@viittahouse.com.
