Who are the 5 Hong Kong jewellery designers dressing Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift and Michelle Obama, and working on Hollywood films like Tom Hanks’ The Da Vinci Code?

Jan 3 , 2021

Lady Gaga wears pearl earrings by Anabela Chan; Michelle Obama shows off a Dickson Yewn ring. Photos: Invision/AP, AP Photo

Michelle Obama once wore a Dickson Yewn ring to an audience with Queen Elizabeth, Gong Li sports Dennis Chan designs, and Anabela Chan is a favourite among the likes of Lady Gaga and Rihanna – 5 Hong Kong designers who are in demand for their bling

The wondrous creations of Hong Kong jewellery designers are making their way to red carpets and art exhibitions around the world. From dressing the stylish Michelle Obama and Beyoncé to designing for Hollywood films, these five jewellers are perhaps some of the world’s most sought-after and have found global fame.

Dickson Yewn

Renowned for his contemporary take on Chinese talismanic emblems, Dickson Yewn’s work is often described as wearable art. His namesake brand weaves contemporary aesthetics with tradition, drawing inspiration from Chinese imperial arts and crafts. Chinese floral imagery and papercutting are among the touches of imperial culture found in Yewn’s creations.

The designer is also credited with bringing a youthful spin to jade and jadeite, a precious gem with royal roots that’s associated with auspiciousness and good fortune. Yewn likes to combine the green gem with diamonds and other precious stones.

Jade Chinese Lattice ring by Dickson Yewn. Photo: Handout

Among the most iconic of his designs are his square jadeite rings, a nod to the jade thumb rings worn by Qing dynasty noblemen as a symbol of their status and wealth.

Michelle Obama waits for the arrival of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip at Winfield House in London, in May 2011; she is wearing a ring designed by Dickson Yewn. Photo: AP

In 2011, then first lady Michelle Obama had an audience with Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip at Winfield House, where she paired a jadeite ring from Yewn’s Chinese Lattice collection with a black off-shoulder evening gown. The green piece provided a much-needed burst of colour to Obama’s muted ensemble.

Michelle Ong

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