The process of creation has always been powerfully interwoven with my life. Born in Israel and raised in Kenya, I began my career as a professional ballet dancer. My passion for the arts next led me to enter the world of fashion and design, where I fell in love with the quest for excellence in art and craftsmanship, and sought to immerse myself in the incredible details that comprise this world. 

 

After completing my studies in design and craftsmanship in Italy, I established the Fontem brand. Today, my studio is nestled in the sunny hills of southern California, where the magnificent ocean and abundance of nature provide fertile ground for my creativity and inspiration.

 

My name itself, ‘Maayan,’ means ‘water spring’ in Hebrew, and symbolizes the fountain of creativity that nurtures my work.