Today we’d like to introduce you to Juliana Naso.
Hi Juliana, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Hello, I’m Juliana Naso, the designer, and owner of Studio Pleat.
I’m Brazilian and I graduated in Visual Arts in 2003. I moved to Houston in 2018 with my husband and our two boys, because he was transferred here to work.
My obsession with paper shades began in 2016 when I decided to make a light pendant for my second son’s room. Since then, I’ve been designing paper lampshades and I got passionate about new shapes and new ways of transforming a sheet into a sculpture. In 2017, I launched my online store in Brazil. It was called Ostrah, but, unfortunately, I had to close it due to my departure. However, I kept my passion for paper shades and, last year I opened my USA e-commerce store which I named Studio Pleat.
Before starting working with lighting sculptures, I was an art therapist. I was fortunate to spend 12 years working in MuBE, the Brazilian Museum of Sculpture, where I had a studio for my therapist practice. It was wonderful to be surrounded by marvelous exhibitions, modern architecture, and designs. My years there had a huge impact on me and it has definitely impacted my style for clean lines, bold shapes, and modern designs. It’s all reflected in the pieces that I have been creating.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I have to say that I’m at the beginning of this road. Until now, my biggest challenge in opening a small and creative business in the US has been building a network, knowing where and who to reach. However, I know that it is part of the path and I’m very positive about the future of the STUDIO PLEAT. Houston is a very cultural city, full of art and people from everywhere, which for me is an excellent ground.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
“LIGHTING SCULPTURES” is how I named my pieces. They are made on-demand in a slow and manual process that requires patience, time, and love.
The first collection was inspired by simple forms and clean design. It is a set of 6 table lamps that I named Pillar and Sphere. Knowing that the Art is all in the details, I used magnetic clamps, floating steps on the wood base, and dimmable light, which are elements that enhance the design.
One of the highlights of Studio Pleat is the modern aesthetic and the use of sustainable materials, such as paper, wood, and LED light.
What sets us apart is that, besides the online products, we also develop exclusive creations: pendants, floor and wall lamps in various shapes and sizes tailored for interior designers’ projects needs.
What I’m most proud of is launching the STUDIO PLEAT, just to start something new without knowing the outcome is really exciting. All the energy that I put into the process of building the brand, the models, the photos is an amazing and creative energy and it thrills me.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
At this moment, I’m designing the second collection, which is named Ludic and is inspired by playful forms like flowers, books, and Ferris wheels. They will have bigger sizes and different shapes. The launch will be in the first semester of 2022.
Contact Info:
- Email: studiopleat@gmail.com
- Website: https://www.studiopleat.store/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/studiopleat/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/studiopleat
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/studiopleat/
