Interview with Janet Hiu Yan Chow
Janet Chow, whose family runs jewelry-manufacturing business, created VEA Fine Jewelry in 2017. Driven by passion for design Janet quitted her 9 to 5 bank job and took jewelry design and GIA gemology…
Design Legend Interview
22 April 2018
My family runs a jewelry manufacturing business. Since teenage, I would help in jewelry trade shows. But this did not raise my interest in the industry. I even said I would never join them. I graduated from business school and eventually landed in a 9 to 5 bank job. in jewelry trade shows. I graduated from business school and eventually landed in a 9 to 5 bank job. But I have always like drawing and designing, so I took jewellery production and design courses during my spare time and gemology course from GIA. In 2017 I started Vea Fine Jewelry, aiming to create simple, versatile and practical pieces for everyday wear with natural conflict free, responsible diamonds and precious stones.
I would wear their dainty sample pieces when I work in bank. Friends, colleagues, customers kept asking me where to get them. It was then I realised my taste is recognise by others. I then started thinking I could maybe make a profession out of it.
I chose it. I find it very difficult to be forced into one.
Custom pieces are most fun because you get to hear stories and the whole design process could be very interactive with the client.
One that public accepts, understands and could associate. For jewelry it is important that the piece is comfortable enough to be worn. Because jewelry is art pieces on body.
Because good designs create harmony, improve life and help others to embrace life in every possible way.
I would like to design for anyone with character. I would like to create signature pieces that they would wear everyday as an icon.
Design is to create harmony, improve life and help others to embrace life in every possible way. To me design is to understand the wearer and help them translate their thoughts and ideas into the piece with my profession. Helping the wearer to express herself.
Family and friends for sure. They support and believe in me from the beginning.
All the rejections and failures. So I understand myself better and know what to improve.
Versatile designs that speak even better.
Designer Interview
22 April 2018
My family runs a jewelry manufacturing business. Since teenage, I would help in jewelry trade shows. But this did not raise my interest in the industry. I even said I would never join them. I graduated from business school and eventually landed in a 9 to 5 bank job. I would wear their dainty sample pieces to work. It was then I realised my taste is recognise by others. Friends, colleagues, customers all like my pieces very much and wanted to know where to get them. I have always like drawing and designing but not until then I started thinking I could maybe make a profession out of this interest. I took gemology course from GIA and jewellery production and design courses. I had the time of my life. In 2017 I started Vea Fine Jewelry, aiming to create simple, versatile and practical pieces for everyday wear with natural conflict free, responsible diamonds and precious stones.
Vea Fine Jewelry blends the timeless with the contemporary and is unique for its versatile designs. We design for modern women; pieces could be worn in multiple ways from day to night. We focus on quality and craftsmanship. We work with suppliers that supply ethical and socially responsible diamonds. Manufacturing process is monitor so that each piece are designed and handcrafted to last.
Design is telling a story. It is an expression and communication of an idea. So the wearer could associate and remember that idea every time she sees the piece.
Works that tell stories and has meaning. So the pieces will not only aesthetically decorates but also have emotional connection with the wearer.
One of my favourite designs is the Turret ring from my Architectural Pearls collection. Inspired by architectures, Akoya pearls are arranged in geometric manner in graduating size. Diamonds sculpt the silhouette and add sparks to the piece. Turrets are small decorative towers on medieval castle. They are not only aesthetically pleasing for the building but are also where one can look farthest and widest. This ring hopes to remind whoever wearing it to always look far, look wide, keep yourself open minded because you will never know what life will surprise you.
My workstation. Arranging the stationeries in a way that tells and suits my working style.
Diamonds. It is the most dazzling stones, but it also goes well with all other materials. Diamonds shine no matter it is the main stone or side stone of the piece. Always doing its best.
Talking with customers, hearing stories.
Wearability, comfort, whether the piece speaks to the wearer.
All kinds of emotions. Strength and positive energy most of the time. Jewelry are usually for celebrating some happy moment of life.
It feels like seeing a baby born and cannot wait to put my hands on it, try it on and try out all the possibilities with it.
One that public accepts, understands and could associate.
Jewelry is art piece on body, so the piece should be comfortable when wearing.
Creating harmony, improve and embrace life in every possible way.
I think clients understand themselves and know what they want very well. So it is getting very important to listen to the clients, understand them and help them translate their thoughts and ideas into the piece with our profession.
We participated in the International Jewellery Fair in March in Hong Kong. Met some really nice customers and gave me lots of insight. We will be joining another jewelry fair in Hong Kong in June. We hope will get to meet more customers and others from the industry.
People and their life.
I would say my style is versatile and modern. We design for modern women; pieces could be worn in multiple ways from day to night.
Hong Kong is where East meets West. We had a good mixture of different cultures. This helps a lot in design because we understand there could be endless possibilities with mix and matching.
Communication is the key.
It could start from material, a quote or a picture. Then pencil sketch are really helpful in shaping at early stage. I would then 3D draw the piece and work with craftmen for technical 3D pictures and realising the piece.
Positive is very likely you are doing what you like. Negative is lots of sleepless night.
Skill to let go and let things be or will get frustrated very easily.
Set deadlines, though I am still bad at it.
2010 Miss Chinese International Pageant and current Hong Kong TVB actress, Eliza Sam and 1997 Miss Hong Kong Pageant, Virginia Yung.
New collection is on the way, stay tuned!
Social media