Kóokay · Art Crafts
Made with purpose.
Built on friendship.
Two childhood friends, a shared love of Mexico, and a belief that design can change lives. This is how Kóokay began.
friendship became
one shared dream
Valeria Torres and Sigrid Beckmann have been best friends since childhood — two women who grew up sharing a passion for art, design, and the extraordinary richness of Mexican culture.
In 2017, after almost 50 years of friendship and a lifetime of being inspired by the incredible craft traditions of Mexico’s indigenous communities, they co-founded Kóokay.
Both hold degrees in Graphic Design and Masters in History of Art. But what drives Kóokay isn’t credentials — it’s the profound respect and love they developed for the women whose hands carry centuries of knowledge and story.
The name Kóokay means firefly in Mayan — a small light that illuminates the night. That’s what they set out to do: shine a light on the extraordinary artisans whose work the world deserves to know.
changed us forever
Learning from the indigenous artisans of Mexico — women who tell centuries-old stories with their hands — transformed both Valeria and Sigrid. Their skill, patience, and artistry is at the centre of everything Kóokay does. Fair pay, fair trade, and deep respect are not policies. They are the reason Kóokay exists.
Artisans are paid fairly for their extraordinary work. Always. The value of centuries-old craft must be recognised and rewarded.
We transform old, vintage, and contemporary furniture — giving pieces a second life and minimising waste through creative reuse and redesign.
By creating demand for indigenous craft, we contribute to the economic independence of the communities and women whose traditions we celebrate.
No two Kóokay pieces are identical. Every object is the result of a conversation between the artisan’s tradition and the designers’ vision — a collaboration that spans cultures, centuries, and continents. When you bring a Kóokay piece into your home, you bring all of that with it.
Childhood friends for almost 50 years. Both Graphic Designers, both Masters in History of Art, both utterly in love with Mexico. In 2017 they turned a shared obsession into Kóokay.
Valeria brings a deep understanding of visual language and Mexican cultural heritage to every Kóokay piece. Her eye for form, colour, and tradition shapes the aesthetic identity of the brand.
Sigrid connects Kóokay to the world — from the artisan communities of Mexico to homes and studios across three continents. Her passion for sustainability and fair trade is the moral compass of the brand.
piece of this story
into your home?