Handcrafting, family heritage, and the passing of skills from one generation to the next form the foundation of Prella, a brand created by Marija Radović, a creative professional from the world of digital marketing who transformed her long-standing love of sewing and making things by hand into a line of accessories. Combining traditional techniques, an urban sensibility, and a family story, she has created pieces that are made slowly, thoughtfully, and with the intention of lasting.
C.M: What is Prella, and how did your story begin?
· Prella was born from my long-standing love of handcrafts, sewing, and upcycling. Behind it stands me, Marija Radović—professionally from the world of digital marketing, but at heart someone who has loved creating with her hands since childhood. Even in high school, I used to sew and alter garments, often imperfectly, but with immense pride. Over time, I realized that these two passions did not have to exclude one another. Digital marketing gave me the tools to present a brand to the world, while my love for creating provided the product and the story behind it.
C.M: How deeply are family heritage and tradition woven into Prella?
· Completely. I believe that we all carry and express values that are part of our family heritage passed down through generations. I grew up surrounded by women who created things and passed their crafting skills on to their daughters and granddaughters. Through play, I learned to knit, sew, and spin wool, and eventually I received my first Singer sewing machine. Our slogan is “From hand to hand, made to last,” and I am incredibly proud that the team behind this brand consists of my mother and me, building a story that challenges the fast pace of instant fashion.
C.M.: What defines the world of Prella products?
· Prella originally emerged from my personal need for the perfect summer accessory, since summer has always been my greatest source of inspiration when it comes to sewing. Our first product was a multifunctional scarf—a piece equally suited to a night out or a day at the beach. I followed a simple philosophy: one perfect item in your suitcase for the entire vacation. From that foundation, our bags naturally followed, based on styles I had personally carried for years. These are handmade everyday pieces that combine aesthetics with practicality.
C.M.: How important are handcrafting and tradition to your creations?
· Handcrafting is not just important—it is the only way Prella is created. From sewing and knitting to crocheting, every piece passes through human hands and relies on techniques we learned long ago. We live in a time when machines and technology advance every day, but when it comes to human craftsmanship, the standards of quality that applied decades ago still apply today. That human touch is irreplaceable, and it gives character to every piece.
C.M.: What inspired your first collection?
· In the past, people had very little, yet they created items of incredible value from what they had. Our first bag, called RUJ, available in vibrant red and yellow, was inspired by that ingenuity and respect for materials. The inspiration was precisely that essence—the idea that a woman does not need a hundred average items in her wardrobe, but rather one truly valuable piece.
C.M.: What have the first reactions to Prella been like?
· Interestingly, very few people actually know that I am the person behind the brand. That was a conscious decision; I wanted people to experience Prella independently and allow the brand to communicate through its own aesthetic rather than through me. Nevertheless, everyone who has heard the story and seen what we are preparing has been absolutely delighted. People respond to the depth of the brand, to its family heritage, and to the fact that something so dedicated and thoughtful is being created in our market.
C.M.: Where do you see Prella in a few years?
· What I want to remain untouched is this pure love and enjoyment of the creative process. Building Prella is currently fun and never feels burdensome, and I want to preserve that spark. Of course, I want the brand to grow, but only while maintaining handcrafted production and the mark of the human hand. At the moment, Prella is literally “in the hands” of my mother, who makes every bag, but my vision for the future is to build a community of women who would do the same work with equal passion. For now, we produce small, limited collections because that reflects our current capabilities, but even as we grow, one principle will remain unchanged: we will never sacrifice quality for quantity.
Lasting Means Nurturing Authenticity
Marija believes that in an era of fast-moving trends, longevity means making thoughtful choices. She believes that a truly good piece remains valuable for years, which is why she proudly wears inherited items that are older than she is. According to her, dedication to craftsmanship, quality materials, and attention to detail are the keys to longevity. That is why Prella pieces are made from natural materials such as cotton, silk, and viscose, while even the packaging—made from 100% cotton—is designed to be reused. For Marija, longevity is also a matter of personal style, because she believes that those who cultivate authenticity are the ones who truly endure.
