A new
platform for discovering and nurturing young local and international jewelry
designers and to inspire the general public through the art of jewelry launched
in April. The initiative, called Loupe, is the first of its kind in Hong Kong
and perhaps globally. It is the brainchild of Chow Tai Fook Jewellery and Chow
Tai Fook Art Foundation. As Chow Tai Fook approaches its 90th anniversary,
Loupe is its effort to “drive Hong Kong’s jewelry industry toward sustainable
development,” said Kent Wong, managing director of Chow Tai Fook Jewellery
Group.
“Loupe is a multipurpose
design-incubation space with a greater plan — to bring the jewelry designers’
community together, raise awareness of art and design, and provide a tasteful
and relaxed environment for art lovers, professionals and families to unwind
and appreciate craftsmanship,” Wong added. “We seek to inspire people through
the art of jewelry, nurture the next generation of designers and artisans, and
continue the culture of jewelry appreciation.”
Loupe also aims to create new
businesses and employment across the Asian jewelry industry and to share Chow
Tai Fook’s knowledge with the world through a series of master classes and
workshops. Educating and engaging those from the industry and the general public
plays a key role in achieving its objectives.
Five
key elements of Loupe
- Residency: Loupe offers a designer-in-residence program for
emerging jewelry designers and students interested in the trade from around the
world. This includes a comprehensive mentorship program to support them in all
aspects of their career development. They are given access to a free workspace,
relevant tools and equipment, and a retail space where they can sell their
creations. Industry experts from Chow Tai Fook and other industry-related
institutions provide guidance and knowledge-sharing for the emerging artists.
- Education: Knowledge-sharing is a priority. “There is
something for everyone at Loupe,” Wong noted, highlighting a series of monthly
workshops and seminars aimed at professionals and the general public. Some of
these are hosted by the resident jewelry designers, such as Jewcells’
pearl-hunting workshop, where participants learn the professional method of
opening an oyster to retrieve the pearl and how to design a personalized
pendant.
- Boutique: Designers in residence and local artisans can
showcase and sell their creations in a specially designated retail space.
- Exhibitions: Up-and-coming jewelry designers and artists have
access to an exhibition space to showcase their creations and share their
vision.
- Teahouse: Here visitors can relax and enjoy freshly baked
goods, many inspired by jewelry designs.
Creating
experiences
Feedback
from the first batches of artists in residence, selected through a competitive
process, has been generally very positive. Carrie Yang, a Hong Kong-based
jewelry designer and former student of Central Saint Martins in London, said
that before her residency, she had been working very conceptually.
“Loupe
provides an opportunity for me to learn more about how to actually make a
product for sale. There is technical support and very close communication with
the factory,” she explained.
Other designers spoke of the
opportunity to share experiences with their peers and help each other.
“We
jewelers have been doing our own thing individually, but didn’t have a platform
to share our experience. Here I can speak to other designers and we learn from
one another,” said Cecilia Ng, also a local jeweler and trained metalsmith.
Sharon Cheung, another Hong
Kong designer, who launched her own jewelry brand MIDOTI in 2014, said Loupe
provided a good platform for her to elevate her brand to the next level.
Mihaela Ciubotaru, a Swiss-trained jewelry designer, found the kind of exchange
she had been searching for at Loupe. “It has been interesting to see the things
we share cross-culturally and how I translate that into design,” she
elaborated.
Committed to making Loupe a
success, Chow Tai Fook hopes that more industry stakeholders will support its approach
and partner with it in advancing this platform. “Our goal is that this program
will be self-sustained. It’s a long-term approach,” Wong concluded.
Article from the Rapaport Magazine - May 2018. To subscribe click here.