An Inspired Chat with Jurgita Stahlecker of Center City

Jurgita Stahlecker shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Jurgita, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What is a normal day like for you right now?
I work from home, so I try to maintain a routine—otherwise, it’s very easy to fall into a state of nothingness. My mornings usually start with a workout and a coffee substitute, then I dive into my to-do list, which includes designing, replying to emails, and checking production updates. Some days are creative, others are more practical. I cook most days—it helps me slow down—and I talk to my family abroad almost every morning. I’m trying to spend less time on social media, using it mainly for inspiration instead of distraction. Every day looks a little different, but I’m learning that consistency doesn’t have to mean sameness.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Jurgita Stahlecker, and I’m the founder and designer of JURGI Brand, a contemporary handbag and accessories brand that blends timeless design with modern functionality. I was born in Lithuania and now live in the United States, where I design from my home studio. My journey—from a small Baltic country to building a brand in America—has shaped everything about my work.

Each JURGI piece is created with intention: simple yet distinctive, crafted from genuine materials like leather, suede, and canvas. I focus on structure, balance, and quiet elegance—bags that feel both classic and modern, strong yet soft.

What makes JURGI unique is the emotion behind it. Every design carries a bit of my story—my memories, my search for beauty, and the belief that luxury can be honest and human. It’s not about perfection, but about creating something real that lasts.

Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
I think I was softer—more open, more curious, less afraid to dream. I didn’t think about how things were supposed to look or what was expected of me; I just followed what felt right. Life teaches you to protect yourself, to shape yourself into what fits, and somewhere along the way you start forgetting the parts that didn’t fit but made you you. Before the world told me who to be, I think I was more instinctive, more trusting in beauty, and less concerned about being understood. Maybe I’m still trying to find that girl again—just a little wiser now.

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me depth. It stripped away everything that looked perfect from the outside and showed me what actually matters. Success can make you feel proud, but pain makes you humble. It teaches you compassion — for yourself and for others — and it reminds you that beauty can still exist in the middle of brokenness. I think suffering taught me how to see, while success only taught me how to be seen.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
That everything has to be new, perfect, and fast. The fashion industry often pretends that constant change means progress, but most of the time it just means noise. We chase trends and forget feeling. There’s also this illusion that luxury equals excess — that something has to be loud or heavily branded to be valuable. For me, real luxury is honesty — in materials, in design, in emotion. A bag should carry a story, not a logo. The industry loves to talk about authenticity, but rarely slows down enough to practice it.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
It’s hard to say what I’d stop doing. Maybe it’s less about stopping and more about doing more of what matters. I’d spend more time creating, traveling, and being with people who bring me to life. I’d slow down, listen more, and continue to find beauty in small things. I think that’s a good sign — when you can’t think of what to stop, only what to feel more deeply.

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