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.

SHOP MY FAVOURITE JEWELRY ONLINE:

I am extremely happy to announce that my new jewelry book – GEMOLOGUE: Street Jewellery Styles & Styling Tips – is now on Amazon. I’m so excited. It’s the first book of its kind solely dedicated to jewellery. 

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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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