Life
Viktoria Plonska, Founder of UAE-based ceramics brand TORICERÁ, proves that some of life’s most elegant forms are shaped not by speed, but stillness.
Before founding TORICERÁ, Viktoria Plonska’s life looked very different. Her formative career years working in the real estate industry were filled with long hours, back-to-back meetings, and the constant hustle for the next big win.
“It was fast-paced and achievement-driven,” Plonska recalls, with her days spent focused on locking in major deals and beating out the competition. Oh, how things have changed. What once started as a mere after-work hobby soon became a lifeline for Plonska. A way to slow down and touch something tangible after years of sitting in front of a screen. “I started pottery simply as a creative outlet,” she shares, “but quickly found myself spending all my free time in the studio.”
Her craft soon became her calling. What was once a quiet escape evolved into a full-fledged brand built on feeling and form. Each TORICERÁ piece begins not with a sketch but an emotion. “I design from feeling, not what’s trending,” she confirms. “That’s how something stays timeless.” The process, however, is one that demands both surrender and strength. Every piece passes through stages that cannot be rushed, each one carrying the mark of time, intention, and patience. The rhythm of her studio contrasts sharply with the world she left behind. Clay, after all, teaches how to have a bit of perspective. One wrong move can erase hours of work in an instant. “Pottery quickly humbles you,” Plonska says, smiling. “It forces you to slow down. You can’t control everything.”
From cracked bowls to unpredictable glazes, each setback has become a part of her creative education. Over time, the founder began to see imperfection not as failure but as proof of the fundamental handmade nature of her chosen art form. “It’s the beauty of the craft,” she reflects. “If people wanted something perfect, they’d buy something mass-produced, however what they’re drawn to is the soul in the imperfection.”
Patience, Plonska learned, is not passive, it’s an act of trust. “Coming from a career where time was money, slowing down felt new,” she reflects. “But now, I see that the pace of the process keeps me grounded.” From throwing clay to testing glazes, each phase carries its own rhythm. Despite deadlines and orders being a key part of the business, she’s found ways to carve out precious time for creativity, moments where the world quiets and inspiration takes over. Her company celebrates what can’t be hurried. “The irony,” Plonska says with a laugh, “is that you often start your own business for freedom, but end up working more than ever. The difference now is that my work grounds me.” Each step, from shaping to firing, carries the same meditative discipline, an appreciation for small variations, happy accidents, and the quiet pride of handmade flaws. “When a piece cracks after hours of work, I’ve learned to just breathe. It’s humbling, but also freeing. That unpredictability gives each object soul.”
As part of the UAE’s creative community, Plonska is witnessing firsthand the growing ecosystem of studios, local makers, and an overarching collaborative spirit that advocates for independent artists. “Dubai has made it so accessible to start something on your own,” she says. “There’s a real sense of support, especially among homegrown brands.” While she now creates full-time, the balance between artistry and business remains a delicate one for Plonska. Running TORICERÁ solo means switching between roles of a creator, marketer, packer, and customer service lead, all in a day’s work.
Yet she remains protective of her creative time. “My studio is my sanctuary,” she says. “That’s where ideas breathe.” Her transformative career journey also speaks to the growing appetite for conscious craftsmanship in the region. “The beauty of slow isn’t just about time,” she observes. “It’s about intention. It’s the reminder that elegance isn’t about perfection, it’s about presence.”
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Images: Supplied & Feature Image: Supplied
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: emirateswoman.com
