Words by: Tanya Singh

Huang Hong jewelry represents a perfect marriage between traditional craftsmanship with modern aesthetics.

Since starting her own brand, Huang Hong has focused on exploring oriental art jewelry, punctuating with all the things that inspire her as a designer. She often fuses gold jewelry with traditional jade elements to achieve the perfect marriage of classic Chinese craftsmanship and modern Western aesthetics. Her jewelry beautifully showcases traditional Chinese craft forms in unexpected and innovative designs.

Could you tell us about how you decided to go into the field of jewelry design?

My great grandmother ran a gold jewelry store. I would often spend time in the shop, observing the production process with all its visuals and sounds and how the artisans painstakingly out beautiful pieces together. It started off as curiosity but very quickly turned into the path that I would choose for myself.

Please tell us about your educational background and how it defined your career trajectory and design stye?

I studied jewelry design at the European Design Institute in Milan, Italy. Their teaching style was different from the concept of "art for oneself, design for people" that we, in Asia, are accustomed to. My professors were more respectful and encouraging my individual taste and values. In addition to imparting professional knowledge, they encouraged students, from all over the world, to explore and discover themselves in terms of design. Under their guidance, I started to think about Chinese design and how tradition and modernity could be fused.

How do you define your design style now?

I started working on my line of artistic jade jewelry in 2015 and have continued experimenting with it since. It is both a representation and a critique of the important historical period where art in China transitioned to commerce. The art and craft industry in China has grown at lightning speed, often leaving behind precious techniques like jade carving, lacquer craftsmanship, and gemstone inlay. My work is about bringing some of these lost crafts to the contemporary jewelry design world.

Neon Rabbit Sapphire Necklace Set and Onion Ruby Pendant

What inspires you as a design? What do you want to convey with your designs?

I believe that fashion represents lifestyles. My designs are guided by personal experiences, emotions, encounters, and interests. I hope to make jewelry that people can relate to and adopt into their own lifestyle seamlessly.