“Significant heirloom jewelry celebrating life” – that’s how Carolyn Kan describes Carrie Ok. We dive into her model’s evolution and the tales behind her designs.
Carolyn Kan has lived many lives. From a high-flyer in promoting to debuting Carrie Ok. to rising up as a champion advocate of the native designer scene, she doesn’t shrink back from new challenges and aspirations. Her journey on the earth of jewelry began in 2009, when she shed her previous life to start out her model. And he or she’s by no means appeared again since. Now, moving into 50, she’s main the cost within the evolution of Carrie Ok.
Once I enter her elegant atelier on the Nationwide Design Centre, Carolyn greets me warmly, providing me a slice of do-it-yourself chocolate cake and a cup of lemongrass tea. Jokingly referring to herself as a magpie – as a result of she will’t assist however discover the weird components of equipment on others – she brings up my wedding ceremony ring, the one merchandise of glitz I put on. She, alternatively, has adorned herself in a half-pearl, half-chain necklace, a press release ring, and spectacular earrings for a standout look.
As we chat about all issues jewelry, Carolyn weaves tales of her years within the trade. It’s clear that her pleasure and keenness haven’t wavered one bit. Even now, she’s studying new issues on a regular basis. And he or she’s desperate to share her data at complimentary gemstone workshops, which she takes me by way of. The interactive introductory session delves into the kind, color, reduce, readability, and origin of gem stones – you’ll depart higher geared up to buy high quality jewelry sooner or later.
It’s charming how she radiates pleasure and positivity when talking about her model, which has just lately seen a refresh from its earlier iteration. The main focus is now on versatile designs, trendy renditions of bridal items, heirloom gadgets made modern, and custom-made creations that remember life’s pivotal factors. In any case, what’s extra stunning than jewelry that tells soul-stirring tales?
Right here, Carolyn dives deeper into the inspiration behind her jewelry and what all of it means to her.
You’ve been operating Carrie Ok. since 2009 – how has the model modified since its inception?
Whereas Carrie Ok. has all the time advised tales by way of jewelry, the tales we inform at the moment are centered on love – of self, soulmate, household and buddies – to mark the milestones in life. Celebrating ourselves and the lives of our family members is essential. We’ve additionally advanced from creating silver equipment to wonderful jewelry that holds that means for future generations.
Within the final 5 years, we’ve supported ladies in want by way of causes like Daughters Of Tomorrow and Conscious, and mentoring ladies and future feminine leaders of tomorrow by way of Inspiring Women SG. By supporting moms in want, we assist raise the lives of their households and that flows on to uplifting our neighborhood.
Inform us about your present model ethos.
Carrie Ok. has advanced to create significant wonderful jewelry that celebrates love and life. It’s versatile and timeless, designed to enchantment throughout generations. We create trendy heirlooms for mums to like and daughters to “steal”.
We needed to resolve a standard downside our purchasers had. Many inherited their grandmothers’ or moms’ jewelry or have been gifted conventional wedding ceremony jewelry essential to them, however they not often wore these as a result of they appeared dated. To unravel this, we created jewelry interchangeable for versatile put on. It may be deconstructed to its easiest ingredient for on a regular basis use or have components added to rework into an attention grabbing assertion piece for particular events. We additionally reimagined gems perceived as quaint – reminiscent of pearls, mom of pearl and jade – giving them a contemporary twist while incorporating particulars that inform significant tales.
Share your ideas in your collections: favorite designs, significant items and the tales behind them.
I really like the Blessings assortment because it talks a couple of deeply significant conventional Chinese language idea of “wu fu”, or the “5 blessings” important to residing a very good life. This contemporary interpretation of the normal saying is represented by a sublime motif of 5 bats set with pearls, mom of pearl or jade. I like that its enchantment spans generations. It’s widespread amongst moms for the bride-to-be’s “si dian jin” bridal jewelry and is liked by trendy brides as they’ll benefit from the jewelry for years to return.
For myself, I really like the Code assortment that options my husband, my canine and my very own initials in discreet Morse code diamond dots and dashes. The designs are what I’d name “timeless with a twist”. And this assortment has designs appropriate for all times’s milestones – from engagement and wedding ceremony ring designs to extra trendy bridal jewelry, to push presents and presents for important anniversaries and birthdays.
A current expertise that warmed my coronary heart was when a gents consumer marked the beginning of the household’s first youngster by customising a bangle for his spouse, an anklet for the newborn, and a hoop for himself. Every featured their three initials in Morse code diamond dots and dashes.
Along with your heirloom revival service, wedding ceremony ring designs and bespoke creations, you will need to have a number of unforgettable interactions. What are a few of the standout tales that keep on with you?
A lot of our tales contain tears of pleasure and purchasers who change into buddies. Our purchasers typically include no particular story in thoughts for his or her ring. We encourage them to share with us, and with one another, tales about their relationship.
One couple who got here to us for a bespoke engagement ring shared a heartfelt story of the bride-to-be’s previous hardships and the way her boyfriend was her shelter. At that second, he promised to all the time be her residence, encouraging her to really feel protected to discover the world and uncover herself. Touched by their story, we have been moved to tears. It served because the inspiration for the bespoke ring we designed that includes a Chinese language roof – an emblem of their shared heritage (each companions have been born in China) and his promise.
One other occurred a day earlier than the Covid lockdown. Our consumer received his girlfriend, who was unaware that he deliberate to suggest, to return to our retailer on the pretext of choosing a gift. Once they arrived, we stunned her with a bespoke ring that our consumer had co-designed and popped champagne that we’d secretly organised. She burst into tears of pleasure and shock.
There are such a lot of tales like this. It’s a pleasure and a privilege to be part of such essential milestones in our purchasers’ lives. They reward us with images of their proposals and messages of appreciation for our service.
Talking of celebrating milestones, are you able to share a few of your personal private triumphs with us?
A significant milestone was embarking on a brand new thrilling chapter in my life in 2009. That’s after I left a senior company job as managing director of a world promoting company to start out a Carrie Ok. from my kitchen desk.
One other milestone was my twentieth wedding ceremony anniversary. My husband gifted me my Code bangle that includes his, mine and our canine’s initials in Morse code diamond dots and dashes. To me, it’s a treasured reminder of 20 years of memorable tales, classes, development and love.
What’s the one factor you’re keen on most about jewelry?
Jewelry has the potential to be a strong talisman which brings reminders of non-public triumphs or messages that you simply’re liked. It’s a treasured vessel that passes on essential tales.
Inform us one factor about you and your jewelry that not many individuals know.
Once I first began designing jewelry, I wasn’t a fan of pearls. I all the time related pearl necklaces with a matronly, old school look. My mom gifted me a string of pearls that I by no means wore, which prompted her to problem me to revamp the necklace.
So, I got down to rework the basic pearl necklace into one thing versatile and trendy, utilizing removable equipment to create over 100 totally different seems to be – from refined to edgy. My mom was impressed with the ultimate end result. Now, you’ll by no means catch me with out my Carrie Ok. pearl necklace, which I put on hooked up to a contemporary gold chain.
After an thrilling few years, what’s subsequent for Carrie Ok.?
We’re collaborating with a few wonderful manufacturers recognized for standout bridal robes and milestone gifting. And we’re increasing our engagement ring designs and companies to satisfy the rising demand for distinctive, {custom} proposal rings. Our focus stays on offering versatile jewelry choices that may effortlessly transition from on a regular basis put on to particular events. That’s notably essential for contemporary brides looking for timeless and adaptable jewelry.
We love entrepreneurs and small enterprise house owners at Honeycombers, which is why we’ve created Launchpad, a complete digital networking platform (with IRL advantages, too) that encourages connection, enterprise assist and neighborhood. It’s a privilege and pleasure to study from so many proficient and galvanizing people, so we’ve determined to share the love by interviewing a few of the pretty Launchpad members. Get in contact with Carolyn Kan on-line, and take a look at Launchpad for extra inspiration!
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