CREATORS OF ELEGANCE

January 2025

"Femininity. Durability. Energy. Strength. Life."

"Behind the CREYO brand are two people with a passion for beauty and an eye for detail. Our vision is simple - to bring jewelry into women's lives that reflects elegance, individuality, and timeless value."

The first meeting with Zuzana Šándorová and Patrik Paňek was different than you might expect from the people behind a premium jewelry brand. We didn't meet in a sterile office or a large studio. On the contrary - in a small alley of the Old Town, hidden from the hustle and bustle of Bratislava , we sat down in a cafe with the delicate aroma of freshly ground coffee and old stone walls.

From the very first sentences, I felt that these two people carried a combination of pragmatism and dreaminess. Zuzana seemed calm, thoughtful and knew exactly what she wanted to say. Patrik, on the other hand, spoke with enthusiasm and energy, as if he had a clear picture of the future of the CREYO brand in his head and wanted to convey it to me. It was like watching two sides of the same coin – rational vision and emotional passion.

The interview we bring you is proof that CREYO is not just about jewelry. It is the story of two people who decided that Slovakia could have a brand that could one day compete with world names in design and philosophy.

Why did you decide to put your personal story on the website when we know you usually avoid the spotlight, Patrik?

(Smile…) I didn’t expect to start with this question,” says Patrik. “When we launched this website, I asked for feedback from acquaintances and experts. Everyone told me the same thing: when you’re an online gold shop, you have to build credibility. There are so many fake sites today, and people are afraid to buy new brands – especially when it comes to gold.

I struggled with it for a long time, but then the idea came to me – I really believe in this project. Our jewelry is beautiful, minimalistic and affordable for every woman. And since I believe that my business partner and I can build a great global project, I decided to put my phobias aside. That's why we're here and why this interview.

"Creyo jewelry is made for you."

Susan

What led you to start the CREYO brand?

Zuzana: It may sound funny, but I have never, seriously, ever considered making and selling jewelry. (laughs) Specifically, until January of this year when Patrik (note: co-founder) came up with this idea. He has come up with many ideas over the years, and I rolled my eyes at most of them and rejected them – there was really everything, from cosmetics, to clothing, to women's menstrual products (laughs). Yes, the ideas were really diverse.
I always wanted to work with Pat. He was a great boss, a wonderful colleague, and even though I sometimes think that his personality will probably lead me to my grave one day (laughs), we complement each other well and everyone has their place in the project.
When Paťo designed the gold jewelry, the first thing that crossed my mind was that it would be mega expensive. He already had some initial calculation of how much we needed to invest in it, and it sounded really good. Over time, we found out that we had to adjust the initial calculation, but we believed in the project from the beginning and were excited about it.

Patrik: The idea came about (in my head a long time ago - laughs) but I actually said it at the beginning of 2025, when I finished one work stage and felt it was time to try something of my own again.

My strengths are strategy, business and artistic soul. I had three ideas, sat down at the table and called my former colleague Zuzka – a person I trust absolutely. After my long monologue, she said to me: Let's go for it. I was shocked, but absolutely happy – she simply believed in it too.

How would you describe a woman who wears CREYO jewelry?

Patrik: Self-confident and strong. Every woman has this strength within her – some have it hidden during difficult times, but it is there. I want our jewelry to bring back a sense of self-confidence, elegance and joy to women.

Zuzana: As a woman who values herself. She is aware of her value, which is not based on the day she is having. Because that value comes from within her. She knows that she can have hard days, and that better days will follow. Through our jewelry, we want to help her feel confident even on harder days. So that she can shine not only when everything around her is perfect and she is doing well. We want to give her strength and energy on difficult days. And strengthen her energy in the form of beautiful jewelry that will add elegance and uniqueness where she needs it most.

Why 14-karat gold?

Zuzana: Because of quality and availability. Although we are preparing jewelry sets made of 18-karat gold in the future, for now we want to be more accessible to all women. 9-karat gold contains almost half as much gold as 14-karat, a greater risk of allergic reactions and significantly less durability - and that is not something we want for our customers. Creyo jewelry is both high-quality and affordable.

Patrik: It's an affordable option. It's not just 9-karat, but it's still more affordable than 18k or 24k. I want to bring 18k gold collections in time, but for now we want to be closer to every woman - and 14k gold allows us to do that.

What is your inspiration for designing your own jewelry?

Zuzana: Well, I'm not very creative (laughs). So this is more of a question for Patrik.

Patrik: Inspiration is life itself – nature, architecture, old cities. I love sitting with a coffee in the center of Bratislava, Prague, Milan, Madrid, Istanbul, London or Barcelona or many other beautiful cities and just perceiving the surroundings. For example, one of my ideas came from a church – when I looked at the majestic vaults and stained glass. That light and power that made me an instant inspiration. You will see it soon in the new collection.

How does a piece of jewelry go from idea to finished piece?

Zuzana: Much more complicated than it might seem at first glance – I had the same view a few months ago. (laughs) It's a really long process and we're very happy that we managed to find people who are part of this demanding process and can handle the individual steps.

Patrik: “Fuuu…” Patrik smiles. “The idea comes quickly – I draw it on paper. Then comes the harder part – technical processing into 3D form, rendering, drawings. Here I was extremely lucky – I accidentally met a brilliant man in Slovakia who is willing to create at least prototypes with us.

I was also happy to meet a young talented graphic designer from Slovakia who loves challenges and started working with us on one of our first designs. I really appreciate that he got involved and joined our story.

We are testing some prototypes in Turkey, but we currently have full production abroad – thanks to responsible partners that I found after a long search. The process is demanding – from test castings (usually up to the third to fifth attempt) to final production.

At the same time, I regularly visit foreign exhibitions to look for new opportunities and contacts. It is a difficult journey, but not impossible.

"Remember that you are perfect."

What values should each CREYO piece of jewelry express?

Zuzana: Femininity. Durability. Energy. Strength. Life.

Patrik: Exceptionality, self-confidence, naturalness and self-esteem. I want our jewelry to be more than just an ornament for women – to be a reminder of their own worth.

What do you think makes CREYO different from other brands?

Zuzana: I can't speak for other sellers, but I can say what our goal is. To bring originality and uniqueness in a minimalist form. Jewelry that will be beautiful and wearable today, even in 10-20 years. And we are aiming for this mainly through our own production.

Patrik: We bring timelessness and minimalism, we also want to create original Slovak designs – at least 25% of our collections will be our own. We focus on limited collections and making jewelry accessible to a wider audience.

What does elegance mean to you personally?

Zuzana: Well, I'm sure that Patrik and I will disagree (laughs), we have completely different tastes. Elegance for me means clean, simple lines, colors that match each other, interspersed with interesting, more sophisticated elements. That's where I would include accessories like jewelry, handbags, shoes. And at the same time, when I hear the word elegance, I see the look of a woman (or man) with a gentle smile on her lips. Because the radiance and expression of a person is what beautifully complements and highlights the whole picture.

Patrik: Minimalism, luxury, woman and jewelry. When it comes to elegance, I always think of Louboutin women's pumps - perfect design, an immortal classic. That's exactly what I want our jewelry to look like.

What message would you like to convey to women who wear your jewelry?

Zuzana: Creyo jewelry is made for you. For your beautiful days. To put a smile on your face even when you are fighting internally with everything around you. To remind yourself when you look at them that strength is not in the circumstances that come and go, but in your value, which no one can take away from you.

Patrik: Don't forget that you are perfect. Remind yourself of that every day – and let the sight of our jewelry always bring this thought to your mind.

How do you imagine the future of the CREYO brand?

Zuzana: We are starting B2B cooperation and, in addition to Slovakia and the Czech Republic, where we plan to enter later this year, we are gradually preparing for other markets. We believe that we will be able to get closer to customers through B2B and we look forward to what awaits us.

Patrik: Smile… I've always had big ideas, but today I'm mostly grateful for what I have and what I've been through. I see the future of CREYO in a global format – one day we'll have 100% of our own designs.

We are already planning to open the Czech market (Q4/2025), in 2026 we want to expand to other countries and we are also developing B2B cooperation. I believe that we will succeed. And thank you to everyone who supports us - whether by purchasing, following us on social networks or with a sincere recommendation.

Sitting with Patrik and Zuzana over coffee in the heart of Bratislava was like peeking into a studio where something new is being born. Not just a jewelry collection, but an entire lifestyle philosophy that builds on elegance, authenticity, and the courage to follow your own path.

From their words, you can feel that CREYO is not just a brand. It is a commitment to themselves and to the people who choose their jewelry. As Patrik told me when we said goodbye: "We want everyone who wears CREYO to feel like they are carrying a piece of history."