Kai-yin Lo is organising the farewell sale before bowing out from the jewellery world to focus on academic writing
After setting the jewellery world abuzz with her designs that pay tribute to Chinese history and heritage, art and cultural specialist and international Chinese jewellery designer Kai-yin Lo, is moving onto a new chapter in her career.
Before she bows out from the jewellery world, she will be hosting a farewell sale on July 16–17 at the Mandarin Hotel, the same place where she launched her international career that took her to New York. There, she debuted her first jewellery collection of Chinese and Asian antique artefacts that "made history wearable and contemporary" at Cartier on Fifth Avenue.
This was followed by a signature range of semi-precious jewellery—a brand new concept that became a well-received feature at various stores from Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue in US, Harrods in London and later, Wako and Mitsukoshi in Japan. She pioneered in between semi-precious range of jewellery that was affordable for working women but also catered to female socialites. Now, she's ready to move on to focus on her academic writing.
See also: Kai Yin-Lo's New Memoir Is An Intimate Account Of Past And Present
"I've just decided it’s time to focus on myself. It is gratifying to know that I have left a legacy in jewellery design by introducing two new categories - a semi-precious line and another with an assemblage of Chinese and Central Asian antique pieces into highly wearable necklaces and pendants – the latter suspended by a new way of cording inspired by a traditional Chinese handcraft technique. This line earned me the accolade from a reputable publication, ‘She makes history wearable’. As a historian turned designer this has given me such reassurance and encouragement," says Kai-yin.
"And my semi-precious line introduced a new category in jewellery design —colourful, real, wearable and affordable—and which has become prevalent and popular. First in New York then in other regions in the US, then UK, Europe and Japan and finally, Hong Kong. I became a brand! I am highly gratified that I am credited to be the pioneer of this new range," she continues. "My jewellery range made in sterling silver then gold plated and set with semi-precious stones requires a special technique and as many of my craftsmen have retired and the younger generation don’t have the same skills, production is increasingly difficult," adds Kai-yin.
Kai-yin has edited five influential books across a range of subjects from Chinese furniture to living patterns to Hong Kong's designs. She also released an autobiography, Designing A Life: A Cross-Cultural Journey, in both English and traditional Chinese. In an interview with Tatler in 2019, Kai-yin talks about her designs "My jewellery is made from artefacts that are 7,000 or 8,000 years old, so I’ve always been interested in art and culture."
See also: Tatler's Guide To Being Conversant: Kai-Yin Lo On Jewellery
