Cool Women Doing Cool Things: Stephanie Bekes

Cool Women Doing Cool Things:
Stephanie Bekes

I've known Stephanie (or Teti, as I like to call her) for as long as I can remember. We both grew up in São Paulo and shared the same social circle, and kind of simultaneously moved to Europe for our college studies.

A few years ago we reconnected when she invited me to model one of her first collections after launching her brand Struktura. I remember visiting her atelie in the first apartment she moved into after returning to São Paulo, and I completely fell in love with her crystal belts.

Today her collections have expanded as she experiments with different organic materials, shapes and forms. Simultaneously this creative evolution is noticeable in Tetti's personal style and self expression. She is unique, bold and an expert at styling outfits that mix vintage pieces with fun and modern items.

A chat with Stephanie Bekes, founder of the jewelry brand Struktura

Tell us how you started your brand Struktura. How did the idea come to life?

I started the brand in a very organic way. My brother took me to a store in São Paulo where they sell raw crystals. As soon as I went in my eyes sparked and I immediately wanted to make belts with the stones. I had a wedding coming up and decided it was perfect for the occasion. So I developed a few pieces, sold them to friends and started producing under demand for two years – then I decided to focus and officially start Struktura.

Why do you do what you do? What moves you?

I love designing pieces that you can wear in polar occasions, like with everyday jeans or with a black dress for a wedding. I would say that nature moves me, and how time affects the state of things.

Your work showcases the juxtaposition between strong and bold vs. organic and delicate shapes. How did you find that balance? What inspired you?

I think this duality came organically from the materials I initially started to use at Struktura. The crystals, baroque pearls and silver – they naturally carry these juxtapositions. I think I am inspired by women in general, how we can decide to show our strength and power in a more delicate, composed or in your face kind of way. We decide what we want to portray.

What are daily habits that help your creative process and staying connected with yourself?

I think just training my eyes… I'm a visual person and absorb things in a photographic way. I watch tons of films and research a lot of furniture designs, fashion and antiques. Thrifting and vintage shopping also helps me notice the details of things. Whenever I'm around nature I really connect with it in a visual way, noticing the nuances of the plants, the sound of the waves crashing on the rocks, how the wind blows in the trees... and I love insects – their colors and shapes.

You have a very unique sense of style. Describe your process when shopping and styling yourself.

I've always been passionate about dressing up. For me the important thing is to feel comfortable in what I wear, and sometimes it's way over the top but if I feel good in the clothes, it’s what I'll wear. I love buying vintage or second hand. It's my favorite to find something unique that is exactly what I wanted but I didn't know until I saw it. I'm also obsessed with shoes and accessories – I think they can really change an outfit.

Struktura works solely with traditional craftsmen and small local businesses. Has that always been an important company value? How do you develop relationships with these local craftsmen?

We value craft and detail in so many level when developing our products. Everything is made by hand so it makes sense to work with smaller businesses / craftsmen. There's more of a connection with the process, product and design. I was lucky to find a goldsmith for the first piece I ever made and we've been working together for 6 years.

You also work with distinct materials, which contribute to the unique look of Struktura. Would you say the materials inspire the designs or the other way around?

I think both! We started the brand by finding the perfect crystal that worked as a belt, searching for the perfect texture, color... Now, our latest collections are more about the materials and process, like sculptural pieces turned into jewellry.

What advice would you give to people who want to start their own brand / business?

I would say be patient. It takes time to perfect your product, your aesthetic, and to have the financial return you invested. The daily tasks are much more bureaucratic than creative, so be prepared to deal with that. But when you finally get to see people you don't know wearing your designs, it pays off.

How do you see your business evolving in the next few years? How do you see yourself evolving?

I would love to see Struktura grow more internationally. Personally, I would like to develop more skills in working with materials and expanding how we make our designs.