Bea Valdes came into the world of fashion and jewellery at birth. Her family spans three generations of the business and she grew up in a household of embellishments and beauty. Her own path towards the craft was natural, and so the pieces that she creates come to life as naturally—even if they’re made with scraps, discarded shells, or broken stones.

The signature Valdes style incorporates Filipino craftsmanship, weaving and materials while impressing the culture and mindset of a global traveller. Valdes studied interior design at the Inchbald School of Design in London, and even applied to Central Saint Martin Academy for Jewellery Design. It was here that her application, which featured panels of semi-precious stones, saw the potential of being transformed into bags—a possibility yet unexplored by Valdes, but became an instant hit collection when she launched it in 2000. Now, her clutches and accessories are sought-after by the most stylish women in the world. She has no less than appeared in Vogue’s “must-have” lists and its cover adorning Kate Hudson.

Her design process is unhurried and her collaborative relationship with her artisans mindful. The lockdowns have given her an opportunity to take a slow approach to the unravelling of her vision, which she spends the entire year planning for conscious gifting over the holidays.