Creator Spotlight: Adi Lev, jewelry designer Ichtus Magazine

The conception of Adi Lev’s jewelry business goes back to her college days. She was taking a window display design class at Shenkar College in Israel when she was assigned to make business cards. Adi designed a logo and created a website with her previous school projects. And still to this day, it’s the same logo and website domain of ADI LEV design. After graduation in 2014, Adi officially launched her business the following year.

At Ichtus Magazine, we were intrigued by her dainty yet powerful designs. We asked her a few questions about her inspiration, spirituality and Tel Aviv recommendations.

Ichtus Magazine
Tell us a little more about yourself.

Adi Lev

I’m 36 years old, living in the best city in the world, Tel Aviv, Leo’s mom and Tal’s wife. BA jewelry designer, philosopher, researcher by nature, holistic approach, spiritual and love aesthetic.

Ichtus Magazine
Tell us more about your studies at Shenkar.

Adi Lev

I loved being a student in Shenkar. I enjoyed it very much and studied a lot. It helped me think about designing an object in so many layers far beyond just a “beautiful object.” What is beauty anyway? That’s a philosophy question that can be asked for decades and is still changing.

If I were younger, I would stay there for another degree, perhaps a fashion or architectural degree. At Shenkar, I was a “problem maker,” not a “teacher’s pet.”

I do things my own way and just can’t do tasks that I can’t find logic in — my logic, of course! I remember there were a few teachers that I really liked and appreciated because they saw me and my work in a deep way, which is so important when you’re a teacher or coach.

Ichtus Magazine
We’re big fans of Maison Méditerranéenne des Métiers de la Mode and saw that you were a laureate for the Mediterranean Fashion Prize. Tell us about this experience and what it was like to be a laureate.

Adi Lev

Wow! That was a huge honor and most significant achievement for me that I’m very grateful and proud of. They treated us stunningly, took us to see monuments, places and fancy restaurants in Marseille and in Paris. They connected us with the most talented coaches in the specific field of every designer.

Ichtus Magazine
You’ve won multiple awards and collaborated with big names like Swarovski. Tell us about your proudest achievement and why.

Adi Lev

It may sound like a cliché, but my most proudest achievement is my son, Leo.

But back to our business, it’s difficult to point to one achievement. Every achievement is important and means a lot to me. It gave me an experience and exposed me to the big world in my field, which can be challenging to do by yourself, especially when you come from a tiny, complicated country like Israel.

Ichtus Magazine
Tell us more about your fascination with Japandi minimalism.

Adi Lev

“Japandi” is a combination between Japanese and Nordic. This is a kind of design field that combines both these aesthetics, which I adore. It’s everything I love in design: functional, clever items that come in minimalist lines and shapes, natural materials and extra attention to details.

Ichtus Magazine
How do you incorporate spirituality into your designs and business, if at all?

Adi Lev

I’m looking for meaning in everything. Spirituality is a big part of me, my personality and my life. I’m super open-minded. I don’t think that some concepts are hallucinatory. In fact, I like to dig in deeply, understand it and only then form my opinion about it.

I live and work with my intuition and that also leads me with my life and business. Also, I let my guides and higher self lead me, and it leads me to create powerful structures that hold and compress energy to a tiny object, a piece of jewelry.

Ichtus Magazine
What are your favorite spots in Tel Aviv?

Adi Lev

For hotels, The Norman, of course. It’s a little Paris in the heart of Tel Aviv and very fancy. They’ve thought about every little detail, the design, the embroidery on the napkins, the interior, the lighting, the music, the food, the service — literally everything there is high end. All the European etiquette is not that common here, and they do it perfectly.
Tel Aviv is one of the most delicious food places in the world. The first that come to mind are the Cicchetti and The Drisco, which I like very much.
For shopping, Tonari. It’s a fantastic concept boutique of Japandi design. I adore their fine selection and the store design.
I like to go to the Alma beach near Jaffa, in the morning in the middle of the week, when the beach isn’t crowded. I like this beach thanks to its authentic beautiful Jaffa view.
I also recommend the Neve Tzedek neighborhood, the pastoralists alleys and Shabazi Street for shopping. This place has a special magic.

Ichtus Magazine
What’s your favorite product that you’ve created?

Adi Lev

It’s something that changes with my personal development. For now, it’s a necklace I made for myself for giving birth — 3 years late … I’m super excited about it. I think it’s the best jewelry I have ever designed. It’s clever, sophisticated, surprising, unique and, of course, has a spiritual meaning personally to me and overall. Just like my dear Leo. In this necklace, I developed a new kind of diamond setting, and it makes the diamond look like it’s floating and can be worn on both sides.

Ichtus Magazine
What’s your best piece of business advice for aspiring entrepreneurs?

Adi Lev