Moving to the West- by Victoria Foutz

A citizen of Ireland and Colombia, Victoria Foutz who was born in Bogotá and educated in the United States tells her story about her move to the West of Ireland and its inspiration in her work of handmade jewellery.
 
Victoria first fell in love with Ireland when she and her screenwriter husband, who at the time was collaborating with Donovan Leitch on a musical, visited Mallow, North Cork in 1992. The visits continued for a period of time and in 1995 the decision to move to Ireland was made for a variety of reasons, the principle two being the political uncertainty in Italy at that time that affected the Arts and Victoria's growing infatuation with Ireland and its appeal to her and her husband.

"For me personally, I loved Ireland because it was so different from Rome and my native Colombia which is a unique culture and environment of its own. Rural Ireland enthralled me and became a source of inspiration for my first Celtic-Latin motif line of jewellery that led to my Riverdance commission for their opening on Broadway", says Victoria.
 
Other media appearances included an article on new designers in the fashion magazine Irish Tattler, appearing twice on the TV program Nationwide as a featured artist, finalist two years in a row at the Golden Egg Fashion Innovation Awards and winner of the South Tipperary Entrepreneurial Award for Best Business Growth in 2006.
 
"The West beckoned and it was a perfect haven for us. We felt immediately at home here and bonded with it's wild beauty, open spaces and engaging individualistic people. Our first place in Co. Mayo was on the end of a peninsula (Rosclave) on Clew Bay surrounded by the water and tides on three sides with spectacular views of Clare island and Crough Patrick. This invigorating environment of sea, sky, colour and abundant wildlife catalyzed my creativity and ambition to create an expanded line of truly beautiful, handmade pieces for the selective consumer who enjoys signature fashion (at a friendly price!) and wants more than anonymous Asian replicas of current trends.  My line is personal, made with passion and perseverance. I'm a determined person and I don't cut corners when it comes to quality and craftsmanship. And I take these difficult times we're all currently experiencing like a challenge because I believe it brings out the best in me. And my work. Ireland is my home now and I'm looking forward to an exciting -- if not dramatic -- future here. The best is yet to come!" says Victoria.

Victoria has since moved to Killawalla just outside of Westport where she intends to hold jewellery making workshops this summer and fall.
 
In Ireland, Victoria Foutz’s line is carried by a variety of exclusive boutiques in various parts of the country, north and south. To view and/or purchase from Victoria Foutz's exclusive line of handmade jewellery, click here.