Yasmine Vuijlsteke - Josefina Muse #49

Yasmine Vuijlsteke creates with an instinctive elegance, guided by intuition, softness, and an impeccable sense of taste. A ceramicist, psychologist, and young mother, she moves between disciplines with natural ease, always in search of balance and harmony.

 

Raised between Brussels and Casablanca, she grew up at the crossroads of contrasts — craftsmanship and psychology, structure and sensitivity. Ceramics entered her life almost by chance, through workshops she led with patients, before becoming a personal language: a delicate way of giving shape to emotion.

 

From her light-filled studio in Brussels, Yasmine now creates pieces with a quiet elegance, imperfect, tactile, deeply human. Through YAS Ceramics, she shares an art of living made of textures, nuances, and everyday beauty, carried by timeless silhouettes and an effortlessly refined allure.

Since becoming a mother, her rhythm has softened. Motherhood, she says, is an infinite love and a precious awareness of time passing.

In this interview, Yasmine speaks about creative freedom, the beauty of imperfection, and choosing, in life as in style, pieces made to last.

Yasmine, you are an artist and ceramicist — how did you first discover your passion for ceramics, and what continues to inspire you today?

I discovered ceramics at the centre where I work as a psychologist: my colleagues and I run a workshop with patients every Tuesday, and I was instantly hooked. Very quickly, I bought a few tools, then a kiln… and that was it.

 

Today, everything continues to inspire me: objects, materials, atmospheres, people… I let myself be carried by whatever I feel drawn to in the moment, without looking for perfect consistency. That’s what allows me to stay free in my practice and keep exploring.

 

Which artists, designers or creatives have most influenced your work — and why?

 

I don’t think I have one specific reference. My inspiration comes from a mix of very different things: shapes I come across in everyday life, the texture of a fabric, an antique object, a gesture, or a colour I spot in the street. I’m very sensitive to craftsmanship in general — handmade pieces, objects with a story, or a beautiful imperfection. I draw a lot from my surroundings. It’s an intuitive, organic mix that keeps evolving all the time.

 

What do you enjoy the most about working with clay and running your studio?

 

What I love most is being able to create something from nothing. I find it kind of crazy, actually — what clay makes possible, that infinite potential. And beyond the pure act of making, I love what my studio brings me: it’s my own space, a place for research, for joy, sometimes frustration too, but always something very alive. It keeps changing, a bit like my practice. I think I’ve already moved the shelves around fifteen times… the only thing that hasn’t moved since the beginning is the kiln.

 

And what I love too is being able to share it — through video, photography, and everything I post on my page. Sharing this passion is almost as important to me as living it. It’s what carries me, and what makes me want to keep creating.

What does a typical day look like? How do you balance work, social life, and family?

There isn’t really a typical day for me — and that’s what I love about my job. Every day is different: sometimes I spend the morning in the studio, and the afternoon shooting content, editing videos, or managing collaborations.

 

Since our daughter was born, she’s my priority. But I’ve continued creating content and I’ve taken on a few ceramic orders too, even though it’s more complicated now because I can’t bring her to the studio.

 

Luckily, I’m very well supported. My mother helps me a lot, and with my husband, we still go out, see our loved ones, and enjoy life as a family of three. It’s a new balance that suits us well.

Favourite vintage store in Paris or Brussels?

 

In Brussels, my favourite vintage store is Mademoiselle L’Ancien, on Rue Haute. You’ll find true vintage pieces there, restored with so much care. It’s a unique address, full of character. Every time I go, I feel like I’m stepping back in time — and I’ve found some truly incredible treasures there.

 

Favorite restaurant?

 

My favourite restaurant in Brussels is La Gazzetta, right next to Place Stéphanie. It’s a small Italian brasserie with a very short menu and always a daily pasta special. Every time I go, I let myself be surprised — I choose the pasta of the day with my eyes closed, and the chef has never disappointed me. The atmosphere is simple and warm, and I genuinely feel at home there.

 

Tips for mums during pregnancy?

 

What helped me the most during pregnancy was, first of all, being very gentle with myself — not feeling guilty about slowing down. Then, surrounding myself with kind, supportive people: I was lucky to be guided by an incredible doula (Giulia Baudier), and it truly changed everything. We were able to talk about topics that are sometimes left aside (birth, postpartum, breastfeeding, mental load). It helped me make more conscious choices, and most of all, to feel supported. And finally, I’d say: trust yourself as much as possible. It’s an intense time, full of emotions, but we all have the resources within us to go through it.

How do you define your style? Tips for styling during pregnancy?

 

I’d say my style is quite timeless, with a real love for beautiful cuts and, above all, natural fabrics. I love pieces I’ll still be able to wear in ten years, but also slightly masculine silhouettes — sometimes borrowed straight from my husband’s wardrobe — for that boyish touch I love. On the other hand, I also like bringing out a slightly childlike side from time to time: dungarees, rubber boots… something simple, joyful, and comfortable.

 

Comfort is really what I look for every day — especially clothes that allow me to stay active.

 

During my pregnancy, I hardly bought any maternity clothes. I mostly adapted what I already owned: oversized shirts, loose dresses… And since my last trimester was right in the middle of summer, it definitely made things easier. I think I spent two full months in a Sézane pair of dungarees that I loved. By the end I couldn’t close all the buttons anymore, but I felt so good in them!

What do you like the most about motherhood?

 

It’s that bond that feels so obvious — that infinite, immeasurable love.

 

What do you think is the biggest challenge as a mum?

 

Every stage comes with its challenges, but what moves me the most today is thinking about the moment when our days won’t be so intertwined anymore.

 

Which Josefina Bag did you choose and why?

I chose the Josefina Large Brown, because it’s a timeless piece. Brown leather transcends time — it develops a beautiful patina and goes with everything. And I also love the fact that my husband can carry it too. It’s a classic bag: practical and timeless.