The Story of House of DEME: From Observation to Creation

House of DEME: From Observer to Builder

I am Kitija Deme.

My identity is a choice I made for myself. I believe in energy, the vibration of names, and the power of the spoken word. When I met my husband and learned his surname — DEME — I knew two things instantly: I wanted that name, and I wanted his child. For years, I had believed I would never change my birth name and that motherhood was not for me. Today, I have three children and the name Deme. This choice is my code, my strength, and the foundation for everything I create.

The Observer’s Eye

A love for imagery entered my life before I could even speak. During my first two years, while my father was away in the military, my mother’s younger brother took photos of me relentlessly with his analog camera. He was only sixteen, teaching himself how to develop film, and he became my first great love and spiritual protector—the true godfather of my heart. My official godfather, my father’s brother, also turned childhood evenings into magic, using a projector to cast photo negatives onto the walls.

These men taught me how to see light and the fleeting moment. For years, my world was framed through a camera lens. As a professional photographer, I witnessed how a single, powerful accessory could shift a woman’s entire aura and how their eyes would light up with newfound confidence. I was capturing beauty, but deep down, I knew I was meant to build it.

The Alchemist’s Calling

Since childhood, I dreamed of being a fashion designer. Growing up in Latvia between 1983 and 1990, I was surrounded by extraordinary craftsmanship. My paternal grandmother was a lifelong seamstress who passed her mastery down to my mother, training her in the art of creation. Because of them, my childhood was filled with unique, stunning outfits that were unheard of at the time. I grew up believing that a designer’s only tools were needles and thread, but sewing felt too fragile for my soul. Everything changed the moment I touched leather. In its raw, resilient, and unapologetic nature, I found my language. Leather doesn’t just fold; it holds. It has a life of its own, much like the women I design for.

From Stillness to Power

In late 2025, when my body physically stopped me and back pain left me unable to take even a step, my greatest transformation began. In that stillness, I started to create. Where others saw production scraps, I saw the potential for luxury. I took this "living" material and surrendered to intuitive creation. I don’t follow theories; I follow my heart’s vision and the energy that helps me see the unique story within every piece of leather.

The Secret Gem Within

But this journey was never meant to stay only in my mind or on a screen. In early 2026, I claimed my physical ground—my own atelier, which I call The Secret Gem. While in photography my mission is to be a mirror that reflects a woman’s radiance, in design, I create from my own inner truth. My work isn’t for everyone, and it isn't meant to be. It is for those who are ready to stop hiding and start leading. I am no longer just a witness to your beauty; I am an architect of your armor.

House of DEME — Your New Frequency

My mission is simple: to help you unlock your own Secret Gem—that hidden, untouchable power within that needs no permission to shine. This isn't just a story about accessories. It’s my Power Code — infusing each piece with intention so that when you wear it, you access your hidden resources and feel your inner Queen.

I no longer just observe beauty. I help you build it.

Decode your strength. Build your light.