Since 2015, Steel & Barnett has focused on creating wrist outfits with different raw materials, focusing on items that are not only inspired by natural elements but also timeless, classic designs. Originally started as a personal project by two young entrepreneurs, husband and wife duo Yoshi and Steffie Verbrugge, Steel & Barnett has grown into a global brand that provides signature, exceptional leather wrist bracelets for discerning customers aligned with timeless styles.
From Humble Beginnings to Success
Steel & Barnett began in a small home office in 2015, where Yoshi and Steffie created beaded bracelets for their family and friends. The couple were both still working full-time, and initially saw Steel & Barnett as an opportunity to create an additional income stream that could potentially evolve into something more.
Yoshi and Steffie threaded their first 50,000 pearls, but the story of the brand didn’t end there: what began as a “side hustle” transformed into a full-fledged business, and today, Steel & Barnett has 600-plus retailers worldwide. During the beginning phase of the business’s rapid growth, the brand partnered with a tailor-made company as a part of its expansion plans. Yoshi and Steffie saw a further opportunity for more job creation with their brand, and since the end of 2018, detainees in Bruges Prison have been working for Steel & Barnett.
A Passion for Design
Steel & Barnett’s success story is rooted in the creation of simplistic designs with an elegant touch. The brand believes that it is more difficult to be elegant than to be bold, and that elegance can only be achieved through knowledge and experience — which is the result of the special focus that one puts into their wardrobe and accessory choices.
Proudly Handmade in Belgium
From the selection of raw materials to its finished product, Steel & Barnett takes a detailed approach with each of its designs — which, after all, is the kind of approach that is expected of every handcrafted product in Belgium, the brand said. Proudly locally-made with a global mindset, the brand takes exceptional care with all of the elements it sources in creating its leather bracelets and gemstone creations.
Steel & Barnett’s raw materials are sourced from countries all over the world, from South Africa to Denmark. The company also has a state of the art manufacturing facility that is equipped with sophisticated machinery and a pool of talented manpower, said the brand. This combination produces high-quality genuine leather that is durable and perfectly suited for everyday wear.
Another area of the company’s expertise is its knowledge and use of semi-precious stones. Steel & Barnett only uses A-grade polished, frosted and matte beads for the production of its stone bracelets, and all metals used for all categories of bracelets are 316L stainless steel, which is safe for wear throughout the day.
Supporting the Community
Since its inception, Steel & Barnett has worked with social projects that offer opportunities to individuals who do not currently have access to the regular labor market.
“We pride ourselves on inspiring others with our creativity and allowing them to showcase their own, too,” Yoshi and Steffie said.
When it comes to social responsibility, Steel & Barnett knows that ethical production methods and sustainable practices go hand in hand with the creation of handmade, bespoke jewelry pieces. This includes ethically sourced leather and gemstones, as well as additional materials used for crafting trendy bracelets and ensuring that the production thereof does not negatively impact the environment or any global communities. The brand takes exceptional care during the production of its products to ensure that not only does it craft great designs, but it also uses materials that are designed for longevity and won’t easily wear and tear. The leather that makes up the bracelets comes from trusted sources, and when there are dyes used on these materials, they are non-irritating materials and will not easily rub off on the skin.
The natural gemstones used for the basic stone bracelets are also procured through sustainable means, and the brand ensures that the complete products are just as sturdy and flexible as the leather bracelets.
“We appreciate the origins of all our natural stones [and] take extra care when cleaning and polishing every piece to truly make it stand out,” said the couple. “It is this durability in the materials that we use that ensures that our bracelets have long lifespans and will last beyond just a season. We truly make designs that last and have a classic, timeless feel!”
Additionally, the brand uses only recycled materials and yarns for product tags, as these details have a tendency to contribute to waste. This ensures that from start to finish, Steel & Barnett’s production cycle adheres to the brand’s eco-friendly ethos of creating its stylish items in the best and most environmentally responsible way possible.
Made by Traditional Standards of Quality
Steel & Barnett combines traditional quality with modern-day style. So if a customer prefers hand-crafted jewelry to flashy bling, they can certainly find something to love in the brand’s range of wrist jewelry.
“The Steel and Barnett name is synonymous with quality and craftsmanship. We set out to create a range of fine quality rugged jewelry pieces that we would be proud to wear in all situations,” said Yoshi and Steffie.
The result of this high-quality commitment is a range of designer wrist jewelry that combines highly polished stones with elemental material such as leather and natural fibers. Each piece is hand-made in Belgium to exacting standards of traditional craftsmanship and bears the distinctive Steel & Barnett logo.
Creating Your Own Unique Style with Steel & Barnett
Because it is versatile enough to be worn every day and everywhere, Steel & Barnett’s jewelry can easily become part of one’s recurring style — and can add an extra element of cool sophistication to business wear as well.
“Like us, our customers come from all [different] walks of life. So if, like us, you believe that quality, style and sophistication does not have to be overstated, you are already sharing our brand’s ethos,” said the Verbrugges. “Instead, we let our jewelry pieces speak for themselves. This means that if you are equally at home at the beach as you are in the boardroom, and equally as comfortable in front of the camera as you are behind it, Steel & Barnett is your perfect accessory for all occasions.”
“Our wrist jewelry perfectly matches and complements all styles so you always look effortlessly stylish without having to think too much about it,” they added.
A Perfect Fit for Men and Women
The Verbrugges say that their ambition for Steel & Barnett was to create jewelry in a style that is timeless and classic for the modern age — for both male and female shoppers.
“Whether you favor a mix and match approach or want a talisman to wear always and for all occasions, you can always rely on Steel and Barnett,” Yoshi and Steffie said. “Our unique brand of wrist jewelry will always make you feel and look good — whatever life throws at you.”
