Behind-The-Scenes: The Vermillion Women

Words by: Vermillion Staff


Celebrating the women behind Vermillion with a shared goal of catalyzing Asian design.



We are celebrating International Women's Day in the form of conversations with all the incredible women behind Vermillion. We asked all of them to share a little bit about their journey thus far, and here are some of the answers we received.


When did your love affair with Asian art and design begin?


Krizia Li (Founder + Chief Executive Officer): My journey into the Asian art and design world began when I started collecting Contemporary Chinese ink art. I was buying from Art Basel and at auction, but I realized that as I was investing in artworks, I needed to find lifestyle pieces for home to match my own heritage, style, and aesthetics. But there was no one-stop informational directory or shopping destination where I could directly patronize the "best of" Asian designers. And that was the beginning of Vermillion.


Vera Chan (Customer Experience Director): I spent my childhood and teenage years in Canada. I had no knowledge about Asian designs until I moved to Hong Kong in the 2010s. A real eye-opener (to the fantastic world of Asian art, design, and culture) for me was my first trip to Shanghai in 2012. Walking through the antiques market of Shanghai Old Town and Yu Garden, I was completely mesmerized. I haven't looked back since.


Alisha Lam (Merchandise Manager): I think the pieces my grandmother and mother owned and displayed at our home were my first interaction with Asian art and design. I specifically remember a turquoise green ceramic tabletop piece with intricate pictorial images of life in ancient China, expressed in joyful and abundant gestures. Seeing that exquisite piece of art on our table always cheered me up and encouraged me to nurture a love for my culture and its art forms from a very young age.


Kitt.Ta.Khon is a popular pick among the Vermillion team. Both Krizia and Amy love how each product provides an insight into Asian heritage as well as the unique design language the region is known for.


How has Vermillion changed you?


Amy Long (General Manager, APAC): I am definitely more mindful of my own purchasing choices now. When I was working as an interior designer, most of my suppliers were from the US or Europe in large part because they were tested and proven. Now, I always ask myself if there is an Asian designer I can support instead. Vermillion makes it easier for me to discover and source from Asian designers.


Charissa Chau (Head of Marketing + Content): I came from a fashion background so I used to express my style through my outfits, but now I'm totally converted to expressing myself through my living space, and there's so much more room to play with! 


Natasha Liok (Business Development Manager): Vermillion has challenged me to look beyond my design aesthetic and to appreciate how every artist has their own creative nuance which they bring to the table. The creative stories that I encounter day in and day out make me want to encourage everyone around me to constantly explore and think about revamping their living and dining experience with some exquisite Asian crafts.


Natasha's favorite, the Spotted Nyonya Vessel by Hans Tan is another piece that showcases a beautiful blend of heritage with design acumen.


What about your work at Vermillion makes you spring out of bed every morning?


Krizia: Meeting diverse personalities, uncovering new knowledge, seeing our world through fresh eyes, and feeling inspired by others. Vermillion enables me to continue to grow as a person daily, both intellectually and emotionally.


Teresa Cao (Management Analyst): Bringing the best of Asian designs to the global stage is a challenging yet inspiring vision that we have undertaken. Seeing our team from around the region signing a variety of local brands that are all hidden gems, motivates and makes me feel proud of what we are doing. Being a part of this vision – to let the world know how Asia design can be life-changing – is what I wake up with every morning.


Tanya Singh (Business Analyst, APAC): Art has always been a part of my life. With a degree in Asian Art Histories and a passion for writing, for several years, I moved through the industry leveraging one skill over the other, never quite finding the right balance. Until, finally, at Vermillion, my two passions - Asian culture and writing - were reunited. It almost feels like coming home - one filled with all the works of art I could ever hope to interact with.

 


Sydney picked Without Leaving Your Room Vases by Julie & Jesse as her favorite while Alisha's must-have piece were the Arch Totem Stacking Candle Holders by Panisa Objects.


Why do you think our team ended up becoming (mostly) all women (apart from the fact that women obviously have superior taste)?


Amy: It's definitely by accident, not by design, but I think it illustrates that like begets like in networks. However, even though we are mostly the same gender at Vermillion, we have an incredible diversity of geographies, cultures, experiences, working styles, and life stages. It's important to remember that gender is only one aspect of diversity.


Sydney Li (Chief Operations Officer): I think it's because we all speak the same language – not in terms of speech but in terms of our design aesthetics and motivations. We all share the same passion and sense of mission. Our amazing women leadership team is definitely a unique quality that makes Vermillion stronger and hard to replicate.


Other staff favorites include (clockwise from top left) the Resonance Speaker by Delta Blues Audio (Teresa), the Time Bell Candle Holder Set by Nousaku (Charissa), Jia Ju Rocking Stool by Scene Shang (Vera), and the Ripple Incense Burner by Kin Objects (Tanya).


3 words that define Asian design?


Vermillion Staff: Juxtaposition, Profound, Intricate