About
I’m Helen-Mary, the designer and co-founder of N-20 Studio. I’ve always been drawn to things that are practical but still have something unexpected about them. In Estonia, I often feel that design leans towards Scandinavian simplicity - clean, quiet and stripped back. I appreciate that aesthetic, but I also want to leave room for personality. A useful piece doesn’t have to disappear into the background.
Everything I make is created from 100% natural leather, with the intention that it can stay with you for a long time. I want my pieces to be worn, used, carried and lived with, not treated as something temporary.
At the heart of it all is a belief that making things by hand can be both responsible and bold. That sustainability doesn’t have to mean sacrificing character, and that practicality can have personality.
N-20 Studio was founded by accessory designers Helen-Mary Vartšun and Birgit Peerna, who met while studying at Pallas University of Applied Sciences in Tartu. The name N-20 comes from our university days - the place where our creative partnership began.
Today, Helen-Mary is the sole owner of N-20 Studio, continuing to develop the brand locally in Tartu.
We work with high-quality natural leather sourced from Estonian upholstery and footwear manufacturers, with a strong focus on using the material to its maximum. Its natural marks, scars and variations are embraced rather than hidden, making every piece individual.
All N-20 Studio pieces are designed and made in our Tartu studio, with an emphasis on durability, functionality and distinctive design. We believe thoughtful use of materials and good craftsmanship can create pieces that are both responsible and bold.
