Bellatrick is a jewellery brand in Singapore with striking earrings and pendants that feature gorgeous gemstones from Brazil. The designs of founder Cristiane Oliveira are classic yet with a sense of adventure – the same sense of adventure that has seen her upend her career path to follow her dreams.
Moving from the corporate world to jewellery
Cristiane comes from a family of painters, graphic artists and crafters, so art has always been part of her life – and her real passion has always been jewellery and shoes. Although she graduated in computer science and worked in the field for 15 years, it didn’t stop her developing her fashion skills and creativity. She studied jewellery and shoe design while she worked, waiting for the right time to venture off on her own.
Cristiane grew up hearing her mum say that stylish earrings and shoes are mandatory. “I never saw her leave our home without earrings or good shoes. Even her slippers were loaded with style! She’s 72 now and is still the same way. Every time I design a new piece, I send her a picture to get her opinion. She’s already told me that she wants all of my designs, but white gold is her favourite!”
Unfortunately, the pandemic has delayed the two getting together in person in recent times. “I launched my brand two months before the world dipped into this situation, so I still haven’t been allowed to see her and gift her with my collection. But that time will come soon.”
What to expect from Bellatrick
For Cristiane, the key to creating unique products is in the originality and exclusivity of the design and the quality of materials used. “The focus of Bellatrick is earrings and pendants; there’s even a face on our business card. I believe a beautiful smile highlighted with stylish accessories opens doors – the good ones!”
At the core of the brand is the opportunity to play with the different colours of beautiful gemstones by switching them out in the same design. The online store carries earrings and pendants with stones including labradorite, jade ruby, amethyst, fluorite, lapis lazuli, agate carnelian and onyx, and the selection of stones included in each piece depends on the design and plate colour. “For example, the yellow gold-plated aviator earring is sold with jade ruby, agate carnelian and amethyst – all as detached gemstones. It means you can use the same earring design with different gemstones.”
Some of the designs go even further to include extra attachable parts. “You get two styles in the one item of jewellery. I love this concept!”
All the pieces are made in 925 sterling silver, with white or yellow gold plate, which also allows Cristiane to offer her stylish jewellery at an affordable price.
Cristiane’s inspirations
Every piece in the collection is named for the inspiration behind it. And, for Cristiane, everything that crosses her field of vision plays a role in this. She looks at shapes, for example, and sees how they might be incorporated into a pair of earrings or a pendant – hence having pieces named for rocks, snakes and even the map of Singapore!
“My friends are also a source of inspiration. Their different styles and personalities help me to join the core of my creativity with the aspirations of the market.”
At the same time, she’s aware that with all of this inspiration must come focus. “I can create different designs every day, but as a brand owner and designer I have to find the balance between my imagination and my business strategy.”
For this reason, Cristiane never designs something that couldn’t then be used in the market. “Even my more adventurous styles of jewellery always go with the classic pieces of my daily wardrobe.”
It seems she has the balance right. “I derive pure happiness from the creative side of my work and the human contact it involves. After a long time in a corporate environment – with all of its devils and angels – and working in a field that was never my deepest passion, it’s a blessing to now be the master of my destiny. It’s very high risk, but it also has lots of rewards.”
What’s next?
At the moment, Cristiane is working on designs that will be presented at SIJE, the Singapore International Jewelry Expo. This year, it runs from 7 to 10 October. She’s also excited about being involved in other upcoming jewellery fairs in Europe.
And the next goal? “To make my business bigger so I can delegate some responsibilities involved in the process and work only on the creative side. I’m very lucky because I have a person in my life who believes in my work and has bet high on this. For them, I give my gratitude, affection and admiration.”
If ever she has a moment of fear or doubt about what she’s doing, Cristiane says there are two songs that are fundamental in keeping her going: “We Are The Champions” by Queen, and “You Are the First, the Last, My Everything” by Barry White.
With these beautiful earrings, pendants and other pieces, she definitely has something to sing about!
To find out more, call or message Cristiane on 8116 0619 (WhatsApp) or email sale@bellatrick.com.
You can view the collections at her home and at bellatrick.com
