Rita in Palma now with us: Crochet art with heart from Neukölln
Sometimes the most beautiful confirmation comes exactly when you least expect it. We are thrilled that the Berlin journalist Masha Slawinski from Tagesspiegel reported on the non-profit educational association "Von Meisterhand e.V." and the associated fashion manufacturer Rita in Palma, and also mentioned our boutique Veronica Pohle at Kurfürstendamm 64 as a sales location.
Photo Corinna Radakovits
What is the article about?
In the non-profit educational association "Von Meisterhand e.V.", women with a migration background produce high-quality products, which are sold in the associated Neukölln fashion manufacturer "Rita in Palma". Even Berlin's Senator for Economic Affairs Franziska Giffey (SPD) recently visited the studio and was enthusiastic about the crochet art from Neukölln. We particularly liked that the article also focuses on the women behind the products: Eleven women work in the factory, five of them self-employed and six permanently employed, with roots in Lebanon, Turkey, Syria, Bulgaria, Jordan and Kurdistan.
And this is where we come in: In addition to the location in Kienitzer Straße, the products are also available from us, in our boutique Veronica Pohle at Kurfürstendamm 64.
Click here to read the article.
Why we carry Rita in Palma
At Veronica Pohle, we have been curating a selection of exceptional brands for our customers for years, and Rita in Palma simply fits perfectly into this picture for us. These are not mass-produced accessories, but true unique pieces: hand-crocheted using a centuries-old knotting technique that is passed down from generation to generation to women with migration and refugee backgrounds. Every stitch, every knot tells a small story of skill, memory and tradition.
For us, this means: When you buy a piece from Rita in Palma from us, you are not only supporting beautiful craftsmanship, but also real participation and long-term, fair jobs for women who have often only rediscovered their extraordinary craft skills here in Berlin.
The products in our range
In our boutique, you will find a lovingly selected range of hand-crocheted accessories from Rita in Palma:
- Earrings – from delicate and filigree to striking and statement-making
- Bracelets – for everyday wear or as a special gift
- Chokers – our elaborate necklaces, some adorned with crystal beads, are true craftsmanship and an eye-catcher for any occasion
Each piece is handmade in our studio in Berlin-Neukölln – no two pieces are alike.
Custom-made: Your wish, their craftsmanship
A special offer that many people don't even know about yet: At Rita in Palma, you can also have something completely individual made – in exactly the colors you want. The crochet artists of Rita in Palma are happy to accept inquiries and, together with fashion designer Ann-Kathrin, turn them into a unique one-of-a-kind piece.
If you would like to be inspired by the options available, please feel free to visit us. We will provide you with personal advice and you can see the fabric colors.
The story behind Rita in Palma
Rita in Palma was founded in 2012 by fashion designer Ann-Kathrin Carstensen – out of a desire to combine beauty with social commitment. From a small accessory label, it has become a place where design and dialogue come together and a story is woven into every stitch. Together with women from Turkey, Syria, Pakistan, Lebanon, Kosovo and Jordan, handcrafted jewelry is created that reflects cultural heritage, dedication and artistry.
Many of the artists have experienced flight or long-term unemployment, but bring with them an almost forgotten tradition of fine knotting and lace techniques – delicate, artistic and threatened with extinction. At Rita in Palma, this craft is preserved, nurtured and passed on, not as a mere commodity, but as a living art form. In the same year, Ann-Kathrin also founded the non-profit association Von Meisterhand e.V., which supports the women beyond their craft – for example, with German courses, yoga and daily support on their way to independence. Rita in Palma sees itself as the first fashion label that combines high-quality design with genuine integration work: jewelry that is also a social statement.
How much this work is also noticed internationally is shown by a special anecdote: In 2020, Rita in Palma received a personal letter from none other than Michelle Obama, who was visibly touched by the story and commitment of the project. A nice sign that the work of the women of Rita in Palma finds recognition far beyond Neukölln.
Image: Barbara Schöneberger with earrings by Rita in Palma
Many thanks to Masha Slawinski and Tagesspiegel for the lovely reporting – and to the entire team of Rita in Palma / Von Meisterhand e.V. for the wonderful craftsmanship that we are proud to carry!
