Hi There! I’m Vanessa, co-founder of Celestials, together with my mother Celeste. Our journey began in Spain, where a whole new world opened up for me. I discovered the most beautiful limited-edition pieces: sparkles, crystals, timeless yet sexy and elegant designs. It immediately felt different – bold, unique, and maybe even a little daring to bring this to the Netherlands.

But deep down I knew: this is what I’m meant to do. I was born in Capelle aan den IJssel, in the Netherlands, but I feel both at home everywhere and nowhere at the same time. I’ve lived in Germany for many years, South Africa for a couple of years, and currently in Spain. Was this all plannen? No. And traveling, I do pretty much anywhere. Traveling isn’t just something I like to do, it’s part of who I am. I have to admit though, that I still feel a very lost in this world, because I feel at home everywhere and nowhere. Maybe that also has to do with the fact that I have a very mixed background, being partly Angolan, Dutch, and American-Russian. I rarely return to the same country twice – the world is simply too big not to keep exploring. From wild road trips through Namibia or Saudi Arabia to long beach days in Zanzibar, Bali, to partying in Brazil, you name it! – I live for those adventures and the inspiration they bring me. After studying political science and public administration at Leiden University, I worked in that field for a few years.

Justice and fairness have always been close to my heart – going out for a drink with me at sunset means you will find yourself caught in a political discussion with me about justice. And once you are in it, is is hard to get out, haha!

But at the same time, there was always this little voice inside telling me to take another path. And that path was fashion. Fashion has been part of my life from the very beginning, thanks to my mother, a true fashionista. I’ve always loved bold, statement pieces – the kind that make women shine in glitter and glamour. I love seeing women glow, turning heads wherever they go. And I believe every woman deserves that red-carpet feeling, not just a select few. With Celestials, we want to make those unique, extraordinary items more accessible, so more women can truly shine.

And yes… I’m doing all this together with my mom. That sounds wonderfully intimate – and it is – but let’s be honest: it also comes with a fair bit of bickering. Everyone who knows us is aware that we can argue about pretty much anything. Which shape looks better, which color is just right, or simply anything that is not work related! But staying mad at each other? Impossible. Five minutes later we’re usually laughing again. Maybe that’s our secret: passion, stubbornness, and above all, a lot of love.

In the meantime, I’ve also become a mother myself – to my beautiful son. A new chapter, and perhaps the most precious one so far. Life feels like a chain of discoveries, travels, and unexpected paths. And that’s exactly what I bring into Celestials: courage, adventure, a sense of justice, and the belief that every woman deserves to shine.