MILAN — Without a physical office space, Béis founder and actress Shay Mitchell built a business that hit $120 million in profitable gross revenue last year. Now, almost six years after launching her brand of luggage, bags and accessories, she’s cut the ribbon on a sprawling Hollywood work space designed by CB2.
The design-forward, Crate & Barrel sister company is one of her favorites and it was only natural the two should collaborate. “They’re always keeping up with trend while having pieces that stand the test of time and are extremely functional,” she said.
In an interview with WWD, Mitchell said CB2’s interior design squad was also helped by interior designer Chad Wood, who is also working on her home.
“It was about just kind of like tying it all together. He [Wood] really understands how I love things to look. And I think in the office too. I mean, he’s working with me on my house right now, but I had to bring him into this project as well,” said the social media star, who has more than 36 million followers on Instagram.
CB2’s senior director of retail operations Ginny Brown said that the company’s design services, which launched in 2021, has tackled everything from gallery walls to yachts, but the Béis offices was one of its biggest projects so far.
“They came to us with a distinct point of view and product must-haves, and together we made their vision a reality. The final result perfectly marries form and function. It’s also one of our largest projects to date, so it was great to see our in-store and national teams work together throughout the process,” Brown said.
Some key pieces include the dark brown Barber dining chair by designer Luam and the rectangular white concrete Irie dining table 100 by Evan Jerry.
Jerry started CB2’s Black in Design Collective, which brings diaspora designers from all over the world to the fore with CB2’s wide-reaching platform. His Studio Anansi has garnered acclaim for propelling Black storytelling through design. Luam is by Luam Melake, a designer known for her hand woven sculptures and furniture design heavily rooted in artisan craft and fine art.
Mitchell’s office also has the Portofino Walnut Wood Desk, a reissued design by late Italian architect and designer Gianfranco Frattini.
“I was obsessed when it actually fit into the space because for me, I like to work at a desk. I have boards all over. I have materials, we do some sample meetings in there, but I also like to snack and I have all my stuff,” the “Pretty Little Liars” star said.
“We have quite a few dining tables in that space and it works really well — common areas where you can work, eat and there’s not just a designated area where you can’t do that,” Mitchell added.
She confirmed her business is on track to break $200 million in sales its next fiscal year. Béis currently has 39 employees and will hire five more this year, with a significant part of her staff working remotely or hybrid. Looking ahead, the company is planning a pop-up in London by the end of the year and has its eye on activations in Europe and Asia. “That’s obviously the goal,” she said.
Mitchell is not interested in expanding into new categories beyond the current 13, which includes work totes and travel kit items. “We’re very much known for our hard-case luggage. So going more into like the lighter weight of soft materials would be something I’m interested in. So not necessarily going into more categories, but just expanding the ones we currently have,” she added.
