We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Janet Hiu Yan Chow ("JHYC").

Janet Chow, whose family runs jewelry-manufacturing business, created VEA Fine Jewelry in 2017. Driven by passion for design Janet quitted her 9 to 5 bank job and took jewelry design and GIA gemology courses. The brand blends the timeless with the contemporary and is unique for its versatile designs. Design for modern women, pieces could be worn in multiple ways from day to night. Janet focus on quality and craftsmanship, ethical and socially responsible diamonds are used and each piece are designed and handcrafted to last.

Janet Hiu Yan Chow Designs

We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Janet Hiu Yan Chow.

Designer Interview of Janet Hiu Yan Chow:

DI: Could you please tell us more about your art and design background? What made you become an artist/designer? Have you always wanted to be a designer?

JHYC : My family runs a jewelry manufacturing business. Since teenage, I would help in jewelry trade shows. But this did not raise my interest in the industry. I even said I would never join them. I graduated from business school and eventually landed in a 9 to 5 bank job. I would wear their dainty sample pieces to work. It was then I realised my taste is recognise by others. Friends, colleagues, customers all like my pieces very much and wanted to know where to get them. I have always like drawing and designing but not until then I started thinking I could maybe make a profession out of this interest. I took gemology course from GIA and jewellery production and design courses. I had the time of my life. In 2017 I started Vea Fine Jewelry, aiming to create simple, versatile and practical pieces for everyday wear with natural conflict free, responsible diamonds and precious stones.

DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?

JHYC : Vea Fine Jewelry blends the timeless with the contemporary and is unique for its versatile designs. We design for modern women; pieces could be worn in multiple ways from day to night. We focus on quality and craftsmanship. We work with suppliers that supply ethical and socially responsible diamonds. Manufacturing process is monitor so that each piece are designed and handcrafted to last.

DI: What is "design" for you?

JHYC : Design is telling a story. It is an expression and communication of an idea. So the wearer could associate and remember that idea every time she sees the piece.

DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?

JHYC : Works that tell stories and has meaning. So the pieces will not only aesthetically decorates but also have emotional connection with the wearer.

DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?

JHYC : One of my favourite designs is the Turret ring from my Architectural Pearls collection. Inspired by architectures, Akoya pearls are arranged in geometric manner in graduating size. Diamonds sculpt the silhouette and add sparks to the piece. Turrets are small decorative towers on medieval castle. They are not only aesthetically pleasing for the building but are also where one can look farthest and widest. This ring hopes to remind whoever wearing it to always look far, look wide, keep yourself open minded because you will never know what life will surprise you.

DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?

JHYC : My workstation. Arranging the stationeries in a way that tells and suits my working style.

DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?

JHYC : Diamonds. It is the most dazzling stones, but it also goes well with all other materials. Diamonds shine no matter it is the main stone or side stone of the piece. Always doing its best.

DI: When do you feel the most creative?

JHYC : Talking with customers, hearing stories.

DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?

JHYC : Wearability, comfort, whether the piece speaks to the wearer.

DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?

JHYC : All kinds of emotions. Strength and positive energy most of the time. Jewelry are usually for celebrating some happy moment of life.

DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?

JHYC : It feels like seeing a baby born and cannot wait to put my hands on it, try it on and try out all the possibilities with it.

DI: What makes a design successful?

JHYC : One that public accepts, understands and could associate.

DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?

JHYC : Jewelry is art piece on body, so the piece should be comfortable when wearing.

DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?

JHYC : Creating harmony, improve and embrace life in every possible way.

DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?

JHYC : I think clients understand themselves and know what they want very well. So it is getting very important to listen to the clients, understand them and help them translate their thoughts and ideas into the piece with our profession.

DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?

JHYC : We participated in the International Jewellery Fair in March in Hong Kong. Met some really nice customers and gave me lots of insight. We will be joining another jewelry fair in Hong Kong in June. We hope will get to meet more customers and others from the industry.

DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?

JHYC : People and their life.

DI: How would you describe your design style? What made you explore more this style and what are the main characteristics of your style? What's your approach to design?

JHYC : I would say my style is versatile and modern. We design for modern women; pieces could be worn in multiple ways from day to night.

DI: Where do you live? Do you feel the cultural heritage of your country affects your designs? What are the pros and cons during designing as a result of living in your country?

JHYC : Hong Kong is where East meets West. We had a good mixture of different cultures. This helps a lot in design because we understand there could be endless possibilities with mix and matching.

DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?

JHYC : Communication is the key.

DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?

JHYC : It could start from material, a quote or a picture. Then pencil sketch are really helpful in shaping at early stage. I would then 3D draw the piece and work with craftmen for technical 3D pictures and realising the piece.

DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?

JHYC : Positive is very likely you are doing what you like. Negative is lots of sleepless night.

DI: What skills are most important for a designer?

JHYC : Skill to let go and let things be or will get frustrated very easily.

DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?

JHYC : Set deadlines, though I am still bad at it.

DI: Who are some of your clients?

JHYC : 2010 Miss Chinese International Pageant and current Hong Kong TVB actress, Eliza Sam and 1997 Miss Hong Kong Pageant, Virginia Yung.

DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?

JHYC : New collection is on the way, stay tuned!

DI: How can people contact you?

JHYC : Social media