From St. Petersburg to Laguna Beach, the architect-turned-artisan is reshaping how we wear crowns
Marita Holton, the visionary artisan behind AristoKrown, has crafted a life as enchanting as the headpieces she designs. Born in St. Petersburg (then Leningrad), Russia, with aristocratic roots, Holton’s early years were steeped in culture, creativity, and the haunting whispers of her family’s past in the wake of the Russian Revolution.
A Cultural Foundation
Raised in a household that revered ballet, theater, and the arts, Marita’s upbringing was artistically rich—her father a singer-songwriter and her mother working in business. Yet beneath this cultural sophistication lay a tragedy: her grandfather was exiled to Siberia after the fall of the Tsar, a story Marita learned through her grandmother’s recollections. That narrative of forgotten nobility and personal resilience remains integral to her identity—even today, she wears a ring stamped with a tiny crown, gifted from that same grandmother.
Shifting Gears: Architecture, Engineering & Beyond
Driven by her talent for drawing, Marita pursued a master’s degree in architecture. Her career led her to work in Israel for over four years, followed by a stint in the United States beginning in 1996, from Long Beach to Westminster, balancing architecture and engineering roles. Though engineering offered financial stability, it lacked creative spark.
That spark returned unexpectedly when she wandered into Laguna Beach. There, she met Robert Holton at the Drizzle Art gallery. Inspired by the town’s artistic pulse and supported by her partner, Marita designed her own wedding headpiece, a moment that birthed AristoKrown. She soon opened a booth at Laguna’s renowned Sawdust Art & Craft Festival, relinquishing her engineering career for a path less pragmatic but infinitely more fulfilling.
AristoKrown: Bridging Heritage and Artistry
“AristoKrown” reflects Marita’s dual legacy, the aristocratic lineage she cannot forget, and the crowns that returned her to joy. Her handcrafted tiaras, crowns, headbands, and accessories evoke regal elegance, often adorned with copper, gemstones, crystals, lace, and organic elements. The designs echo both Victorian grandeur and natural world whimsy, notably assembled in light, wearable styles ideal for brides, festival-goers, and dreamers .
Symbolism and Empowerment
Beyond beauty, Marita explores the deeper symbolism of crowns and tiaras through her blog, for centuries, these headpieces have represented power, status, victory, and even spiritual endurance, . Holton advocates that today, anyone can wear a crown—be it at a wedding, a photo shoot, a festival, or simply to boost one’s confidence during daily chores.
Interactive Art: Workshops and Community Connection
Marita marries her design work with active teaching. She regularly leads intimate tiara-making workshops—perfect for bridal showers, retreats, or birthdays, and larger workshops like those hosted at the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana. These sessions, accommodating anywhere from 5 to 15 participants, guide attendees through crafting a personal tiara with basic wire and decorative techniques.
Participants leave not only with a handcrafted headpiece but also with a renewed sense of self-expression and empowerment. As Marita noted, seeing a customer wear a crown and smile is testament to the transformative power of art, it’s not about how the piece makes the creator feel, but how it uplifts others .
Personal & Professional Rebirth
Embracing life as a full-time artisan brought both exhilaration and fear. Leaving an established career, Holton admits, was daunting, but the reward has been profound. Engrossed in her work, she often forgets to eat, only reminded by her husband. Though reserved, she’s come to appreciate the genuine interactions at her festival booth: once a customer places a crown on her head and sees herself in it, Marita’s honesty tells them, “You look beautiful.” That moment is worth every risk.
Conclusion: A Crown for Everyone
Marita Holton’s story reveals the transformative potential of following passion over convention. From her aristocratic heritage to her engineering career and now as the creative force behind AristoKrown, she embodies the bridge between legacy and innovation. Her crowns are not just accessories, they are symbols of self-worth, creativity, and reclaiming joy. In her hands, everyone has the power to feel cherished, seen, and a little bit royal.
