UNFILTERED STORIES FROM OUR CLOSE FRIENDS WITH: JENNA TATHAM

In this interview, we delve into the world of JENNA TATHAM, who share her inspirations and unique perspectives with us.

Jenna Tatham

1. Introduce Yourself to the Casawi Community: What drives you? What's your artistic vision, and what sets you apart from the crowd?

I’m a painter and curator of art and fashion, driven by transformation—turning what’s broken or stagnant into something vibrantly alive. In my paintings, I depict figures immersed in water, solid forms dissolving into energy— transmuting hidden emotion into ethereal beauty. Inspired by Pre-Raphaelite romanticism and Art Deco mythology, my work invites a mystical unity with nature. This modern romanticism is also the heart of my fashion brand, Ancient Innocence. It’s a world where mystical beings—witches, sirens, nymphs—live in harmony with nature. It’s rooted in a return to the wonder of childhood. That’s why I named the brand Ancient Innocence, to express the dichotomy of a powerfully playful expression of self. As a colourist, I instinctively create harmony through tone and contrast—across painting, styling, curation, even Instagram layouts. My work is about aesthetic balance and emotional resonance.

2. City Inspirations: How has your city influenced your artistic path? Share how its streets, culture, and energy have molded your work.

Florence is an ecosystem of creative abundance. Here, fashion, music, painting, poetry, and design flow together—and artists live in alignment with their unique gifts. The city’s artisanal heritage and beauty are endless sources of inspiration. But what truly sets Florence apart is the collaboration that emerges between highly trained creatives—like the shoot with Jefrie at Petrolo vineyard. We had never met, yet it unfolded with total ease. She captured the magic—the light, the lake, the contrasts. It was alchemy.

3. Creative Process: What fuels your creativity? Whether it's a ritual, a muse, or a moment of clarity, we're keen to learn.

My inner child is both my muse and my master. She’s the source of all I create. I’m obsessed with water—its flow mirrors the way I paint and the fabrics I work with: silk, wrinkled linen, pearlescent textures. I had a place to study theology at Harris Manchester College Oxford—I’m fascinated by the intersection point of science and religion. But something inside me whispered, let me love what I love. I stayed loyal to my creativity. During a moment of stillness, lying flat, meditating, exhausted and unsure—that’s when Ancient Innocence came to me. Like lightning. A vision of vintage markets in Florence, slow beauty, and building a conscious brand rooted in soul. That moment was a turning point. For me, caring for the inner child is what unlocks creativity. Everything flows from that place.

4. City Lifestyle and Art: How the places you lived influenced your career and work?

I’ve always lived near water. It grounds and regenerates me, and I believe it has shaped my inner world. I grew up in Pewsey Vale (UK), then moved to Cologne. I remember standing in front of Dalí’s La Gare de Perpignan at the Ludwig Museum—it cracked something open in me. A portal into the surreal. That’s where my love for dreamlike, fluid worlds began. Florence refined my technique. Studying traditional portraiture taught me about line, light, and the beauty of the feminine form—elements that now live in both my paintings and my fashion collections. My obsession with vintage began as a teenager visiting my dad in Faenza. That’s when I fell for Italy—and for the intimacy of second-hand treasures. The connection I felt to those pieces taught me how to dress with emotion and intention.

5. Latest or Upcoming Projects: Give us a glimpse into your current endeavors and what lies ahead on your creative journey.

My current project is Ancient Innocence—a regenerative fashion brand breathing new life into forgotten treasures. I source vintage gems from Tuscany—natural fabrics pure like linen, cotton, and silk—and curate them into capsule collections. The first, Pirates and Sirens, dances between elegance and wildness, inspired by bohemian icons like Ralph Lauren SS03. It’s an invitation into my Mythopoeia—a realm of feminine power, elemental beauty, and sustainable luxury.

Jenna Tatham

Jenna Tatham

Jenna Tatham

Jenna Tatham

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Instagram: @jennaatatham @jennatathamart @ancientinnocence

Website: jennatathamart.com