DAWN: A new era of collaboration between brands and jewellery artists

We are all accustomed to the scenario whereupon a piece of jewellery is created either by a designer under his own name, or a creative director who manages a group of people whose identities are kept private by the brands who hire them. However, searching for new approaches to building jewellery collections, DAWN – the Hong Kong based brand specialising in jade jewels – has decided to work with jewellery craftsmen, and promote the names of these artisans at the same time.

The brand’s pieces represent stunning examples of a new concept; where various jewellery artists contribute to the collection of one brand and have their names credited for those creations. This approach was the idea of Yve Chan – Director of DAWN – whom I met during the Hong Kong Jewellery and Gem Fair. Here, we had the chance to discuss the unique nature of the artistic collaborations which his brand is curating, nurturing and exhibiting to the world.

Yve Chan: The Chinese have loved jade for several thousand years, while jadeite only appeared during the Qing dynasty – which was about 400 years ago. Both of these gemstones have played an important part in Chinese culture in the past, and they still do to this day.

YC: Indeed! In our family business we operate the biggest jade market in China – The Dawn Market of jade – which contains thousands of stores. It’s like a trade show which is happening every day! With DAWN though, we’re trying a different approach – it is a luxury brand established to promote jade jewellery internationally stepping away from the traditional designs. We showcase all sorts of jade in a more modern context, which appeals to various tastes and not just those in the Chinese market.

YC: We seek out people with the same core values as we have at DAWN; we look for a certain energy and an appreciation of art in them, and in turn we share our knowledge and expertise. Everyone thinks that if you have very expensive materials then they will automatically turn any jewel into something special, but in reality, you need the most skilled artists to bring the best pieces to life.

YC: Yes, as we appreciate each individual’s technique and choose craftsmen who are specialists in their own field. For example, for creating the dragon we go to the master who has carved many dragons in the past ,as it is only by repeating this exact technique numerous times that people become highly skilled.

Although I personally feel that the Europeans are still getting to know jade; the more it is in the spotlight, the more its beauty will be appreciated and its value understood. In DAWN creations, Yve Chan strives to convey the idea that jade is artful, precious, and as desirable to the rest of the world as other gemstones – and it seems to be just a matter of time until he reaches his goal.