Nestled in the heart of Andalusia, the enchanting city of Córdoba is home to a master ceramist whose work embodies the region’s rich heritage and artistic excellence. Ivanros, renowned for his meticulous craftsmanship and unwavering dedication to quality, stands as a beacon of traditional artistry in a modern world.
Ivanros’s creations are more than just ceramics; they are a testament to the enduring legacy of Andalusian craftsmanship. Each piece is a harmonious blend of history and innovation, meticulously crafted to reflect the intricate beauty of Córdoba’s cultural tapestry. The ceramist’s workshop is a haven where age-old techniques are preserved and revered, ensuring that every item tells a story of skill, passion, and tradition.
The excellence of Ivanros’s work has not gone unnoticed. Prestigious luxury houses such as Loewe and Dior have sought to collaborate with the brand, recognizing the unparalleled quality and unique artistry that define his ceramics. These collaborations are a celebration of the fusion between high fashion and traditional craftsmanship, showcasing Ivanros’s ability to transcend the ordinary and create extraordinary pieces that resonate with both heritage and contemporary elegance.
José Berrocoso, our Lifestyle Editor, sits down with Iván Figueroa, the Founder of Ivanros, to discuss his unwavering commitment to craftsmanship, quality, and tradition, ensuring that every piece is not only a work of art but a timeless treasure destined to be cherished for generations; Ivanros’s ceramics are more than mere objects, they are a bridge between past and present, a celebration of Andalusian culture, and a symbol of artistic excellence.
Can you tell us a bit about your background and how you first became interested in ceramics?
I started in the world of ceramics through my father and brothers. They had a pottery business and I started there learning the trade and then became an artisan by my own.
How Cordoba and Andalusia have influenced your work as a ceramist?
Due to all the pretty designs, colors and inspiration our collections have a special influence from art heritage like geometric lines and patterns that come from Al-Andalus like flowers, botanical motives etc. Andalusia is always a source of inspiration for us due to its artistic legacy and heritage that remains in the beautiful city of Córdoba and of course in others like Seville and Granada.
How would you describe your artistic vision and philosophy when it comes to ceramics?
All my artistic vision and values are rooted in love we express through our work. Our philosophy is based on dedication and love about artisan where everything raise up from our heart and hands. I am inspired by the little simple things like enjoying and spending time w with family in the countryside, dinning or just preparing and sharing food on a nice good table. We all love the slow way of living and that’s it is reflected in our pieces.
What themes or motifs do you find yourself consistently exploring in your work?
I visit Pinterest constantly cause it opens my mind in all sense but all sort of stuff from nature and ancient heritage are the most themes that I like to show in my collections. I like to capture themes that come from nature and Andalusian heritage.
Can you walk us through your creative process from conception to completion of a piece?
It is simple, everything that it is made by hands require my mind and soul, first I realized what I want to create and then I shape it from the clay with my hands, making one useful and pretty masterpiece, some other times just prepare some mold to produce many pieces. Once all pieces come out from oven we hand paint in bright colors to elevate them.
What materials and techniques do you prefer to use?
We only use clay and painting like enamel or varnish.
You’ve partnered with prestigious brands like Loewe, Dior, and Zara Home. How did these collaborations come about?
Simply, being visible and being online, when you invest in your brand and support a digital strategy this has its reward.
What has been the most rewarding aspect of working with these luxury brands?
All the processes, the amount of quality that we spread among all the process. We did our best and we have kept those techniques and efforts to invest in our factory, tools and employees.
How do you feel about the recognition and exposure that comes from partnering with such high-profile brands?
Sometimes it’s been tough and demanding but it was worth it, we have a satisfying feeling, the hard work it was amazing and turned up into a proud team
In what ways do you think these collaborations have influenced your work and artistic identity?
Those all works have the same purpose: the quality vision, we reimagine the way the world moves for the better.
Your new headquarters is said to be quite impressive, featuring a store and workshop area. Can you tell us more about this space?
It has undoubtedly been the result of hard work and collective efforts. It will be mark one before and after in our region ‘cause there is not one similar business in the area, it shall be a reference for all artisans and clay manufacturers. Innovation and sectorial organization will make the difference into this traditional business.
How do you envision this new headquarters enhancing your work and visitor experience?
Improving all work processes and organizational. Now our company is proud of its business structure the way we do the planning, development and production of our products, including one big and traversal theme for us that is we transfer the kaizen work philosophy person to person, sector by sector.
Are there any upcoming projects or collaborations you’re particularly excited about?
Of course but we aren’t able to tell already the word of Swarovski it means something to you?
How do you see your work evolving in the next few years?
The most important part of growing for us it will be at the e-commerce, we are investing a lot in digital strategy and of course the B2C part of our business is the challenge for us in the next years. Developing new designs and innovative it will be the second ambition. Remain faithful to our values and origin is also very important. Achieving smart experiences that push up to do our best is a big challenge for the team as well.
What do you find most challenging and most satisfying about being a ceramist?
Trough all kind of art expression, to make something with your hands that get into life to help people in their common life, creating little and unique masterpieces.
Can you share a piece of advice for aspiring ceramists who are looking to make a mark in the industry?
It is important the do their best in every area of their life, putting the focus on love and illusion and of course you need the best team to make it happen. Investing in digital tools and marketing it is also very helpful, above all SEO and branding strategies.
How does the rich cultural heritage of Andalusia influence your ceramics?
Our artisanal ceramics are deeply inspired by the rich cultural heritage of the Caliphate period in Al-Andalus, in fact one of our famous collection is called “Andalusia vintage” in honor of this period. The intricate patterns, vibrant colors, the geometric drawings, and meticulous craftsmanship that defined the ceramics of Al-Andalus are seamlessly woven into our modern creations, honoring a tradition that dates back centuries.
Are there any other artists or movements that have significantly influenced your work?
There are two brands that inspire me, one from the north of Spain called Sargadelos and porcelain leaders like Lladró.
In an age of mass production, how do you maintain the integrity and authenticity of your handcrafted ceramics?
We always work from the heart, faithful to tradition process and techniques, close to our relatives and elder people to achieve the know how and transform it into quality and improvement processes.
What steps do you take to ensure sustainability in your materials and processes?
We are so proud we have ended plastic waste and we invest in clean energy to produce, giving the most important to waste treatment and improving sustainable packaging as well, reducing the carbon footprint the most we can.
How important is customer feedback and interaction in your creative process?
Very important, in fact we work together through the design phase, taking many ways of contact in order to achieve the correct and finish result for our clients. It’s almost a sort of collaborative work that push up to empathize and give lot of feedback.
Do you have any memorable stories or experiences with customers that have impacted your work?
Well, there was a famous influencer from Lebanon who was spending some time in Madrid and travelled 400 kilometers just to come to the factory and meet us. She was in love with the art of the painting and wanted to buy a full set of our pieces for their celebrations in Lebanon. We checked her profile and we realized she is famous for her celebrations displays among VIP’s.
