ANABELA CHAN London based award-winning jewellery designer and artist, shares her label inspiration, latest collection & favourite travel experiences with Christine Lee   

 

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 in 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, flora 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 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 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 capitaI. 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 or 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 or tranquillity nestle between imposing skyscrapers. The city where I grew up until 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 Modem. L Cornelissen & Son for the best specialist art supplies and pure pigments.

  

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 ...

II 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 al The Ham Yard Hotel in London, Moda Operandi and FiveStory in New York, Lane Crawford Hong Kong, Luisa Via Roma Florence and globally online al anabelachan.com. 

Anabela Chan is a London-based award-winning 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.