Style File
London based award-winning jewellery designer and artist, shares her label inspiration, latest collection & favourite travel experiences with Christine Lee
Discover the minds behind exquisite jewelry and their inspirations from travel: Anabela Chan; Azza Fahmy; Silvia Furmanovich & Tessa Packard; Epic Shopping in Istanbul We navigate the by-lanes and souks of Istanbul in search for the perfect shopping experience; Get your look destination ready with inspiration from Miami’s South Beach.
My most trusted collection…
The Morpho Bloom Collection as it is the very first collection I designed and crafted by hand at Art College. A contemporary twist on the classic eternity band, delicate diamonds are meticulously hand-set into 18ct. white, yellow or rose gold. The unique collection of rings, pendants and bracelets are designed to display as an assembly in the form of a blossoming flower; the experience of removing each item mimics the fallen petals of a natural bloom.
My latest collection…
The Tutti Frutti Collection is inspired by luscious, colourful gemstones cut in facets and cabochons juxtaposed with contrasting vibrant hues inspired by exotic fruits, floral and fauna.
Inspiration through travel…
I find my inspirations from my extensive travels to the exotic and the Orient; collecting gems and treasures along the way from local markets, nature and the intriguing people I meet.
My favourite cities…
London – where I have lived for the past 20 years. A truly diverse multi-cultural city full of treasures to be uncovered; be it in realms of art, culture, history, culinary or retail. My home is my sanctuary; a treasure trove of my most prized collections of exotic birds and butterflies, gemstones and minerals, seashells and fossils, prints and books. Florence – a vast and beautiful monument to the Renaissance, writers such as Dante, Petrarch and Machiavelli contributed to its proud literary heritage; artists such as Botticelli, Michelangelo and Donatello turned the city into one of the world’s greatest artistic capital. It is the city where I married my husband Jimmy, an architect, two years ago.
Delhi to Jaipur – venturing through the vibrant markets of old Delhi to the majestic palaces of Jaipur, India is a time machine as Stanley Stewart perfectly puts it: If the past is another country - heroic, glamorous, romantic - it is travel that allows us to reach it.
Hong Kong – A fearless cosmopolitan city where East meets West and old temples and pockets of tranquillity nestle between imposing skyscrapers. The city where I grew up untill the age of ten, Hong Kong still has the most beautiful urban skyline in the world by night.
My recommendations…
London – Ham Yard Hotel, Ivy Chelsea Garden, Tate Modern, L Cornelissen & Son for the best specialist art supplies and pure pigments.
My travel must-haves…
Smythson Mara travel cases in every size and colour imaginable - for my jewellery and trinkets, documents and stationery, skincare, gadgets and everything else in-between.
My weekend retreat…
Paris, my second home, where I enjoy nestling for a quiet weekend with great food and company; Formentera, Sardinia or Mykonos for sunshine and the perfect turquoise sea.
My favourite hotels…
Il Salviatino in Florence, Nizuc Resort & Spa in Cancun, Sri Panwa in Phuket, Ham Yard Hotel in London and La Mamounia in Marrakech.
Find my unique jewels and objets d’art at…
At our flagship boutique at The Ham Yard Hotel in London, Moda Operandi and Fivestory in New York, Lane Crawford Hong Kong, Luisa Via Roma Florence and globally online at anabelachan.com.
Trends for 2018…
Statement jewellery full of positivity with joyful, fun and bold colours. Anabela Chan is a London based awardwinning jewellery designer and artist, who arrived at jewellery from a prestigious background in architecture, fashion and art. This year, Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Rita Ora and FKA Twigs have all graced red carpet events wearing her enchanting, statement pieces. Anabela combines elegant sculptural forms with dream-like romanticism and thought-provoking narratives.