2025

Design Awards Silver Winner - Lesley Studio

Life#2

Entrant Company

Lesley Studio

Category

Gifts - New Category

Client's Name

Country / Region:

United States

This product designed 10 years ago and crafted over eight years, this piece merges traditional elements with personal symbolism. The ethnic-framed collar features Chinese meander patterns and premium "Sleeping Beauty" turquoise. The collar symbolizes a strong exterior, while pearls represent inner softness and vitality. The central turquoise, evocative of fairy tales, as well as all the string of Akoya pearls that I picked out one by one at the fair.

The collar part was made 8-9 years ago with 3D printing technology. At that time, almost no one used this technology to make jewelry, but I am a person who is willing to try new things.

Through my design, she hopes to re-present traditional Chinese elements to an international audience in the form of modern design. I believes that art and design are a silent language that transcends cultural divides and resonates with people emotionally. This two-way cultural exchange not only gives new vitality to traditional Chinese crafts on the international stage, but also allows more young Chinese designers to see the possibility of the international market.

My design also naturally reveals my concern for female identity. In my opinion, women's self-perception is often limited by social expectations, and artistic creation provides an authentic way of expression. In my design, there is both the softness and delicacy of women, but also the expression of firmness and strength. This dual quality exists not only in my design, but also in my personal experience. I hope my design will draw more people's attention to the emotional world of women, especially in the face of self-identity, social expectations and emotional struggles, art can be a powerful support and response.

Why I classify this necklace as a children's gift is because when I wear it for photos, my children also like it and want to wear it, so I have an inspiration, I can make a derivative of this jewelry for my daughter. I also wanted to take a picture of the child wearing it for the official competition photo.

Credits

Founder and Designer
Minxuan Zhao(赵珉萱 my chinese name)
Model
Puyuan Zhao
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