THE DESGINER
Biko's creative director and designer, 27 year old Corrine Anestopoulos, was born and raised in Toronto.   Corrine has always been inspired by art, fashion, people and accessories. A true style prodigy, as a little girl, Corrine spent endless sunny summer days in the neighbourhood park designing friendship bracelets. After introducing this well-known 80s fad to her circle of friends, they began raiding her collection on a daily basis, which subsequently led her to where she is now: making jewellery for a living and loving it.   She initially began her career in Image Arts and New Media Studies at Ryerson University and gained her Bachelor of Arts degree in 2005.   Throughout the duration of her schooling, Corrine juggled jewellery design on the side and decided upon graduation to pursue a career in the industry full-time.

Corrine is an embodiment of the contemporary global sophisticate with a short and sweet motto: Keep it simple, but add a twist.   Sometimes less is so much more.   And so much more is right – Corrine is a true ‘craftsman'.   The exquisitely designed jewellery she creates is all perfected with her very own hands.   She relies on her discerning eye and intuition, utilizing different materials, and experimenting with different combinations for each piece.   The attention to detail combined with the gorgeous materials used transforms each piece into an instantly recognizable, unique and inimitable work of ready-to-wear art.

THE COMPANY
Biko Designs brand was born in 2004 when Toronto-based Corrine Anestopoulos debuted her eponymous creations to a handful of her close friends – who immediately recognized her talent and started borrowing pieces on a regular basis. It was then that she realized jewellery design was her true calling. The demands for more pieces grew – as did the ongoing positive feedback – leading this part-time hobby into a full-time job resulting in instant success, both critically and commercially.

Biko is a 'vintage meets modern' jewellery collection possessing a natural, time-worn look with a twist of au courant. Corrine mixes the curious with the contemporary, combining semi-precious stones with raw metals such as brass, and integrating gold, crystal, pearl and lucite into her original, timeless accessories. The result is an irregular beauty which can be small and precious, or bold and freeform.

 “In my mind, jewelry helps transform a woman,” Corrine explains.   Her designs accentuate a woman's personal style, embodying sophistication, simplicity and most of all: versatility.   The signature Tie Lariat Necklace exemplifies this as it can be worn long and sleek, short and classic, folded in half to double as a scarf, or even tied around the waist as a belt.

Today, you can find the collection in stores coast-to-coast throughout Canada and the US. Biko has also been involved in several high-profile fashion events including: spring/summer 2007/2008 L'Oreal Fashion Week, Fashion Cares benefiting the Aids Committee of Toronto, February 2005 Habitat for Humanity Fashion Show, as well as The One of a Kind Show and The Clothing Show.   Additionally, Biko has also been featured in various media outlets such as: Glow Magazine, Verve Girl Magazine,   LOU LOU Magazine, NOW Magazine, WISH Magazine, Toronto Star, Toronto Life Magazine, and Chatelaine to name a few.

Adaptability plays a key role to Biko Designs' vision.   Each piece is a combination of stunning design with a unique quality that brings out one's personal style – making Biko's jewellery available to a broad market of fashionistas and women alike.