Kati Torda's work is a celebration of the bead tradition in Ghana. The compelling mix of a rich, traditional bead-
wearing culture with contemporary accessory style makes her work so current and relevant.
Her passionate interest and intricate understanding of beads has established her as one of the highly respected custodians of Ghanaian bead culture.
She was born in Hungary, but in 1979 moved to Ghana with her Ghanaian husband, as Mrs Kati Torda Dagadu, where she has been living ever since. Kati Torda was attracted to Ghanaian beads when her husband's family welcomed her, at her first yam festival, with a bracelet created from single beads, each contributed by a family member.
Kati's first bead exhibition was held in 1985 in Accra, and since then her jewellery designs have been exhibited and sold not only in Ghana, but in the cultural centres of Europe and America. Kati is one of the founding members of the Ghana Bead Society, has contributed to books on beads, created innovative beaded art, featured in magazines and given many talks on the cultural significance of beads in Ghanaian life.
Her contemporary and traditional jewellery accessories have adorned countless models on the catwalk, numerous contestants for Miss Ghana and Miss Malaika, and have graced new fabric collections from GTP and Woodin. Since 1996, when the shop opened, Sun Trade Beads has become a destination of choice and a brand for all bead lovers.