JEWELLERY DESIGNER TO WATCH: ANABELA CHAN, LONDON
I visited Anabela Chan’s newly opened and very pretty flagship boutique at the Ham Yard Hotel. Anabela launched her eponymous jewellery line of arresting jewels of infinite colours and sparkle just over a year ago, and was recently named as the winner of Vogue Talent 2014. As well as checking out Anabel’s gorgeous store, we also asked the designer a few questions.
IN THE MORNING… I am always in a rush
BORN, LIVED, BASED… born in Hong Kong, lived in Paris and based in London
GRACE KELLY OR GRACE JONES… Grace Kelly
START DESIGNING JEWELLERY AFTER… meeting Andrew Grima at the Burlington Arcade when I was 16 and we worked on the prototype of my first design together, casting lace in gold
YOUR BRADN WAS BORN WHEN… I graduated from the Royal College of Art in 2013
FIRST COLLECTION… was made with real beetles and butterflies, we shot an editorial with the Sunday Times Style and exhibited the collection at the Wonder Room concept store in Selfridges
FAVOURITE PIECE FROM THE CURRENT COLLECTION… Emerald Tassel Earrings
INSPIRATION COMES FROM… anything that moves me – nature, a photograph, a film…
THE BIGGEST OPPOSING FORCE THAT YOU ENCOUNTERED ON YOUR CREATIVE JOURNEY… the preconception of fine jewellery
THE ROLE OF FASHION IN YOUR CREATIVITY… jewels are timeless and can transcend generations; I am inspired by couture fashion that pushes the boundaries of art and craftsmanship
JEWELLERY IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE… it is empowering
NECKLACE, BRACELET OR RING… Ring
A WOMAN THAT WEARS ANABELA CHAN JEWELLERY IS… confident, elegant and playful but most of all, happy
SUCCESS IS… the perfect balance of love, work and family
HONG KONG… has the most beautiful urban skyline by night
PARIS…romantic and inspiring; with my favourite natural history museum. I used to stroll across Place Vendome everyday during my half-term breaks from boarding school, observing the incredible jewels from the windows
MY PERFECT CHRISTMAS PRESENT… a Jar jewel or a bulldog puppy
PERFECT CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY IS WITH… my husband skiing in the Alps
PERFECT CHRISTMAS IS… with family and friends
FAVOURITE CLICHÉ… the love for diamonds
GUILTY PLEASURE…. the Ispahan and Millefeuille from Laduree
ONLINE SHOPPING… my guilty pleasure!
TECH MUST-HAVES… iPhone and my iPad mini
ROLEX OR CARTIER… Cartier
FAVOURITE FASHION DESIGNERS… Valentino, Lanvin, Chanel and McQueen
THE FUTURE OF JEWELLERY… is in sustainable and ethical gemstones
FAVOURITE CITY… London, Paris & Hong Kong
FAVOURITE HOTEL IN THE WORLD… Il Salviatino in Florence, Florence & Nizuc Resort & Spa in The Caribbean
FAVOURITE RESTAURANTS IN LONDON, PARIS & HONG KONG… The River Cafe, Zuma and Bob Bob Ricard in London; Derriere and 202 in Paris; Biko, Mott 32, Sevva and Luk Yu Teahouse in HK
FAVOURITE BOUTIQUE IN LONDON, PARIS & HONG KONG… Browns Fashion, Colette and Joyce
EXCITING PROJECTS COMING UP… my debut collection for Christie’s London, a trunk show with Lane Crawford HK and a very exciting collaboration with a luxury leather goods brand for 2015..
WILD WISH… to have flamingos and peacocks in my back garden like my great-grandmother did in Shanghai
I would love to hear what you think by leaving me a comment below. Thank you! Discover more GEMOLOGUE interviews with famous jewellery designers.
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GEMOLOGUE by Liza Urla is a celebration of fine, fashion and vintage jewellery featuring exquisite global discoveries, trendy urban street style, exclusive interviews and rare jewellery reviews.
GEMOLOGUE jewelry blog by Liza Urla is featuring talented jewellery designers, trendy urban street style, exclusive interviews and rare jewellery reviews. This jewellery blog’s goal is to encourage and educate about jewellery online in a fresh and original fashion to inspire women and men across the globe in a fashion and travelling context.
Jewellery blogger, writer Liza Urla, the founder of GEMOLOGUE, is a London-based and NYC-educated gemologist, who has travelled to and lived in many countries. She is now one of the most influential digital jewellery tastemakers. Her jewellery influence has been acknowledged by Financial Times, Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar.
*Photographed by Julia Flit. Styling and Art Direction by Liza Urla. All photos belong to GEM Kreatives for GEMOLOGUE.
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