Carolyn Lo of Taiwan has made all the right turns in her journey as a jewellery designer. Her passion for crafting one-of-a-kind jewellery pieces started out as a hobby and later evolved into a full-fledged business. In 2010, she put up Carolyn Lo The Fine Jewel Co Ltd and has been gradually but surely carving out a niche in the bespoke jewellery segment in Asia and London, using jade as her preferred material.

While Lo traces her affinity to jade to her Asian roots, she said this strong connection also stems from the gem's extraordinary charm.

In an interview, Lo shares with JNA her creative philosophy and her desire to continue designing jewellery that elicits an emotional response in the wearer.

JNA: How would you describe yourself as a jewellery designer?

Carolyn Lo: I don't design right away because I have to have a connection with the stone, which is very important. I sometimes say no to customers when I can't feel a connection with a particular stone that they want me to use. Not all gemstones are alike. I favour stones with fire, life and soul, and that is why I love working with jade. I've known this stone since I was young. It has so many colours and shapes and, as a designer, I need variety to create and design something beautiful.Travel also plays a big part in my creative process. Whenever I travel to Europe or the US, I look for vintage furniture, paintings and jewellery.These are all fine works of art that inspire me to create my pieces. I'm also meticulous. This is why I enjoy designing jewellery. It's also important to find people with the same philosophy. I'm lucky to have found a team that shares this way of thinking-making jewellery as a creative pursuit, not for commercial ends. I don't follow trends. All designers should have their own personality so they can stand out. Designers should follow their instincts and create something different. Isn't it nice when people see your creation and they easily recognise it as yours?

JNA: What is the signature look of a Carolyn Lo jewellery piece?

Lo:  I like adding minute and subtle details to my jewellery that you can only see if you look more closely; for instance, a hidden butterfly in a tree brooch or a beetle in a maple leaf pendant. They add story to the piece. These are ordinary things in nature that you don't normally pay attention to. Customers don't ask me to do this; I do it on my own but it attracts people's attention because it is different. Any work of art should reflect the designer's personality. I want to be known as someone who pays attention to details. My designs are not flat. There has to be texture; it has to be three-dimensional. I like things with layers and asymmetry. I'm also partial to natural inclusions in gemstones, particularly diamonds. Inclusions give you a glimpse of where the stones came from; they give personality to the stone. People always look for perfect pieces but I have a different philosophy. Imperfection is beauty as well. It's not about being cheap or expensive; it's the character of the piece that makes it different from others. Customers wear my jewellery and people take notice because the pieces match the wearer's personality. These are things you have to think about before making a design.

JNA: As a designer, where do you get satisfaction from?

Lo: I usually sell to people who know me well. These are clients whom I've worked with for a long time and who enjoy the experience of owning my jewellery because the piece is only for them; nobody else has it. Whenever customers walk into my shop, I don't pressure them into making a purchase. I want them them to appreciate and understand the jewellery first and find a connection with it. It makes me happy to see customers buying these pieces and taking good care of them. I want my jewellery to give the werer pleasure and joy. These are pieces that last for a long time and can be passed on to loved ones. These are prized possessions. One jewellery piece is a product of so many people's hard work.

JNA: Have you ever tried entering a jewellery design competition?

Lo:No,but I've thought about it. However, I don't like to be boxed it by a certain theme or limitation. That's not how I do things. I want the freedom to create whatever I want. Honestly, I am not designing jewellery to be famous. I just want to create something that people will love and cherish. Right now, my focus is to continuously improve my craft. I spend a lot of time in my studio in Taipei. Every now and then, I travel to find new sources of inspiration and then I go back to my studio, feeling recharged and ready to design a new piece. It's a beautiful cycle.

From:Jewellery News Asia-May2015

By Bernardette Sto.Domigo