The ESSENtialists with Klaudia Janowska

The ESSENtialists with KLAUDIA JANOWSKA

Welcome to the ESSENtialists, a series where we connect with inspiring creatives, entrepreneurs, and like-minded women over the Essence of Less.

For Klaudia Janowska, restraint is a language. A London-based art director and set designer, her work is defined by balance, simplicity, and a gentle sense of stillness — allowing objects to exist without excess or interruption. Rather than following trends, Klaudia draws inspiration from film, sculpture, architecture, and the natural world, creating compositions that feel both considered and intuitive.

That same sensibility carries through to how she dresses and lives. Guided by quality, longevity, and thoughtful choice, Klaudia is drawn to pieces that endure — worn often, cared for, and returned to over time. In this instalment of the ESSENtialists, she reflects on minimalism, instinct, and why the most meaningful things are often the simplest.

Her approach to style follows the same logic — feminine yet relaxed, with a focus on pieces that are worn, loved, and returned to. For Jasmine, luxury is time: time spent living in something until it becomes second nature. In this instalment of the ESSENtialists, she reflects on intuition, visual storytelling, and why the most enduring pieces are always the ones that feel exactly right.

Can you tell us a little about yourself — who you are and what you do?

My name is Klaudia. I’m a London-based art director and set designer specialising in still life imagery.

Your work is rooted in balance, simplicity and stillness. What initially drew you to working with objects and spaces in this way?

When I present an object, I like to let it speak for itself, with the set supporting it without overpowering. I’m naturally drawn to balance, and rather than following trends in set design, I take inspiration from film, sculpture, travel, architecture, and landscapes. As part of this process, I enjoy creating props and elements of the set using natural materials like paper, wood, and metal.

How would you describe your idea of luxury — and what has shaped that perspective over time?

I see luxury in quality and longevity. Pieces I love become cherished over time — cared for, worn, and slowly gaining a personal, sentimental value that lasts for years.

Looking back, is there a project or moment in your career that feels particularly formative for your practice?

My first project where I handled everything myself — art direction, photography, set design, and editing — gave me a new perspective on creating an image from start to finish. It opened up more possibilities and encouraged me to reach out to brands I love and collaborate on projects. While I enjoy working with other creatives and learning from them, there’s something very satisfying and calming about working on my own.

How would you describe your personal style, and how does it relate to your creative practice?

I would describe my style as effortless and instinctive, though I try not to stick to one definition. London is so diverse and eclectic, and that really inspires me. I think it shows up in my creative practice too — I enjoy taking my still life work onto the streets, shooting outdoors, and incorporating the city’s textures and landscapes.

What role does minimalism play in your wardrobe?

I like to have a base of simple, minimal pieces that are easy to style with other items. Minimalism for me is about thoughtful buying — only adding pieces I know I’ll wear, and avoiding excess.

How do you approach purchasing new pieces?

I take my time before deciding to buy something, often waiting a little longer to make sure I really want to keep it. I recently set a rule to only add new pieces if I sell or donate old ones. I also pay attention to the composition, and I enjoy researching and discovering small, thoughtful brands.

ESSEN’s philosophy centres on ‘The Essence of Less’ What does that phrase mean to you personally?

To me, it means timeless simplicity — pieces that don’t need much to stand out. Minimal yet thoughtful, they feel special and often make people ask, “Where did you get that?”

You have the Pearl Earrings and the Mary Jane in your wardrobe — how do you like to style them, and what makes them pieces you return to?

I love how versatile the Pearl Earrings are. Some days I wear them as a statement, other days as classic silver studs. The Mary Janes are simple yet so flattering — I wear them with dresses, or with jeans and a t-shirt. They work with everything.

What’s inspiring you most right now — creatively or personally?

I’ve recently watched two Scandinavian films that felt very inspiring. One was Sentimental Value, which drew me in through both its story and cinematography. The portrayal of the main character’s ups and downs, and her coming-of-age journey, felt very relatable. The mix of nostalgia, stage fright, love, and loneliness stayed with me — and I’m a big fan of Renate Reinsve, both her acting and her style. Another film I really enjoyed was Hypnosis. Watching these films has made me want to explore Scandinavian cinematography more.

What’s something you’re currently working towards, or feeling curious about exploring next?

Lately I’ve been focusing on wellbeing. Pilates has been especially helpful over the past few years, both physically and mentally, while recovering from burnout, and I enjoy learning more about its fundamentals. Creatively, I’m curious to explore more still life projects and experiment with film photography and textures.