January 8, 2017 – Chinese Style Jewelry

Image sources are individually stated.

Here comes the Chinese New Year, and luxury brands never fail to seize the opportunity to have some limited editions. It is a trend because Chinese culture has increasing status as China economy and global influence getting stronger.

It is fascinating to see how foreigners understand Chinese culture, although I do not know if there are Chinese designers in the design team, the limited editions certainly bring new aspects to the Chinese zodiacs. Some of them did a great job from a Chinese perspective; others might need to understand more about the concept. Let us now look at the products for the year of CHICKEN. The comments I make are not mean to be offensive.

Christian Dior Chicken bracelet image source: http://fashion.sina.com.cn/s/in/2016-12-09/0745/doc-ifxypipu7335566.shtml — Christian Dior Chicken bracelet
image source: http://fashion.sina.com.cn/s/in/2016-12-09/0745/doc-ifxypipu7335566.shtml

Dior has Chinese Zodiac bracelet every year. I am not sure what horrible thing the chicken is staring at because she looks stunned to me. But this is not so bd compared to the monkey, dragon and snake.

Christian Dior monkey bracelet image source: http://fashion.sina.com.cn/s/in/2016-12-09/0745/doc-ifxypipu7335566.shtml — Christian Dior monkey bracelet
image source: http://fashion.sina.com.cn/s/in/2016-12-09/0745/doc-ifxypipu7335566.shtml

Christian Dior dragon and snake bracelet image source: http://fashion.sina.com.cn/s/in/2016-12-09/0745/doc-ifxypipu7335566.shtml — Christian Dior dragon and snake bracelet
image source: http://fashion.sina.com.cn/s/in/2016-12-09/0745/doc-ifxypipu7335566.shtml

When you look into the eyes of the dragon…Maybe it is a dragon baby?

Giorgio Amarni Year of Chicken foundation pack image source: http://fashion.sina.com.cn/s/in/2016-12-09/0745/doc-ifxypipu7335566.shtml — Giorgio Amarni Year of Chicken foundation pack
image source: http://fashion.sina.com.cn/s/in/2016-12-09/0745/doc-ifxypipu7335566.shtml

It seems alright until you see the cover

Giorgio Armani year of Monkey foundation pack image source: http://fashion.sina.com.cn/s/in/2016-12-09/0745/doc-ifxypipu7335566.shtml — Giorgio Armani year of Monkey foundation pack
image source: http://fashion.sina.com.cn/s/in/2016-12-09/0745/doc-ifxypipu7335566.shtml

The cover remains the same for the limited edition each year, only the pattern on the foundation changes. So after u finish using the foundation, you can’t tell which box if for what zodiac anymore. In addition, the “福” character on the cover is in a not so enticing font. It looks like taken from Microsoft word…

Estee Lauder year of Chicken foundation pack image source: http://fashion.sina.com.cn/s/in/2016-12-09/0745/doc-ifxypipu7335566.shtml — Estee Lauder year of Chicken foundation pack
image source: http://fashion.sina.com.cn/s/in/2016-12-09/0745/doc-ifxypipu7335566.shtml

This is how the price of a foundation pack triples…

Calvin Klein year of Chicken men's underwear. image source: http://fashion.sina.com.cn/s/in/2016-12-09/0745/doc-ifxypipu7335566.shtml — Calvin Klein year of Chicken men’s underwear.
image source: http://fashion.sina.com.cn/s/in/2016-12-09/0745/doc-ifxypipu7335566.shtml

It is a low-profile to celebrate the year of Chicken.

Dolce & Gabbana year of Chicken Jacket image source: http://fashion.sina.com.cn/s/in/2016-12-09/0745/doc-ifxypipu7335566.shtml — Dolce & Gabbana year of Chicken Jacket
image source: http://fashion.sina.com.cn/s/in/2016-12-09/0745/doc-ifxypipu7335566.shtml

The two roosters in the front reminds me of the ancient pass-time cockfighting. I can’t decide whether is the rooster makes the brand more special or the brand makes the roosters more special…I don’t find the jacket ugly but I personally don’t find it that persuasive to me neither…Maybe seeing the real product will have bonus points from the craftsmanship or the intricacy.

Burberry Chinese New Year scarf image source: http://fashion.sina.com.cn/s/in/2016-12-09/0745/doc-ifxypipu7335566.shtml — Burberry Chinese New Year scarf
image source: http://fashion.sina.com.cn/s/in/2016-12-09/0745/doc-ifxypipu7335566.shtml

Burberry checked scarf is a very classic product. The Chinese calligraphy style “福” instantly makes it elderly-friendly. But at the same time, not so youth-friendly…Probably because of the style of the character.

MCM year of Chicken pouch image source: http://fashion.sina.com.cn/s/in/2016-12-09/0745/doc-ifxypipu7335566.shtml — MCM year of Chicken pouch
image source: http://fashion.sina.com.cn/s/in/2016-12-09/0745/doc-ifxypipu7335566.shtml

At first I though it is a bladder or a heart(as an organ). Then I realize it’s designers’ effort to make it a heart shape yet cute at same time.

Gucci year of Chicken sweatshirt image source: http://www.yoka.com/luxury/toptalk/2016/1226/49769201065800_all.shtml#readall_1 — Gucci year of Chicken sweatshirt
image source: http://www.yoka.com/luxury/toptalk/2016/1226/49769201065800_all.shtml#readall_1

The color is pretty hard to pull of though. If not match well can become a rural auntie from Northeast China village.

Gucci year of Chicken scarf image source: http://www.yoka.com/luxury/toptalk/2016/1226/49769201065800_all.shtml#readall_1 — Gucci year of Chicken scarf
image source: http://www.yoka.com/luxury/toptalk/2016/1226/49769201065800_all.shtml#readall_1

Gucci year of Chicken sneaker image source: http://www.yoka.com/luxury/toptalk/2016/1226/49769201065800_all.shtml#readall_1 — Gucci year of Chicken sneaker
image source: http://www.yoka.com/luxury/toptalk/2016/1226/49769201065800_all.shtml#readall_1

The embroidery used to be a bee, now becomes a chicken for the CNY.

Louis Vuitton year of Chicken wallet image source: http://www.yoka.com/luxury/toptalk/2016/1226/49769201065800_all.shtml#readall_1 — Louis Vuitton year of Chicken wallet
image source: http://www.yoka.com/luxury/toptalk/2016/1226/49769201065800_all.shtml#readall_1

The face of the chicken(or owl?) certainly brights up my day.

Nike CNY limited edition sneakers image source: http://nextplus.nextmedia.com/news/%E6%99%82%E4%BA%8B%E8%A6%81%E8%81%9E/20160113/334088 — Nike CNY limited edition sneakers
image source: http://nextplus.nextmedia.com/news/%E6%99%82%E4%BA%8B%E8%A6%81%E8%81%9E/20160113/334088

發huat and 福fortune are auspicious wished individually. However, when combine together发福 it means getting fat/gaining weight..So…

year of chicken limited edition products image source: gogoboi weibo http://photo.weibo.com/1706372681/wbphotos/large/mid/4056914830138197/pid/65b52e49gw1fb43cadyvfj20ic2gcwru — year of chicken limited edition products
image source: gogoboi weibo
http://photo.weibo.com/1706372681/wbphotos/large/mid/4056914830138197/pid/65b52e49gw1fb43cadyvfj20ic2gcwru

Here are the more pleasant example of the designs.

First Vans shoe design took inspiration from eggs and roosters respectively, and incorporate the colors into shoes.

Second design is a Gucci key chain.

Third design is a scarf by Salvatore Ferragamo

Fourth is a Piaget wrist watch.

Chopard year of Chicken wrist watch image source: http://www.yoka.com/dna/m/d387860 — Chopard year of Chicken wrist watch
image source: http://www.yoka.com/dna/m/d387860

The eight blossoms symbolize auspicious number 8 in Chinese culture, which sounds like Fa(huat).

Jaquet Droz year of Chicken wrist watch image source: http://www.yoka.com/dna/m/d387860 — Jaquet Droz year of Chicken wrist watch
image source: http://www.yoka.com/dna/m/d387860

Piaget year of Chicken wrist watch image source: http://www.yoka.com/dna/m/d387860 — Piaget year of Chicken wrist watch
image source: http://www.yoka.com/dna/m/d387860

上下“随喜” shangxia suixi beacelet image source: http://www.yoka.com/dna/m/d387860 — 上下“随喜” shangxia suixi beacelet
image source: http://www.yoka.com/dna/m/d387860

I bought some DIY jewelry parts and practice to assemble them into wearable pieces. The problems I found out during the process are

1, The details of the jewelry, i.e. links, thickness of the chain, size of the lobster claps, affect the overall look as well as the comfort of the user much more than I expected

2, The design is limited and boring as all the parts are readymades.

3, When I am considering the customizing parts of my design, be it replaceable/changeable beads, pendants, how they can be linked onto the jewelry piece without disrupting the overall look.

4, If I want to combine 3D printed parts with readymades, such as wire, how can they be combined together(glue?claps?) and the what colors should it be.

Bought some metal sheets and planned to use it to explore choker and cuffs. However, the metal is much stronger than I expected and I could neither cut it nor bend it... — Bought some metal sheets and planned to use it to explore choker and cuffs. However, the metal is much stronger than I expected and I could neither cut it nor bend it…

necklace 1 practice. The necklace would look much nicer if the metal plates and the chain can be finer. However, if it gets smaller, I found it extremely hard to handcraft the details with my tools and fingers. For example, the metal ring would be too small for me to hold and bend.

Necklace 2. I tried to use the gradual change of the size as an exploration for my design, as I wanted to add thsi elements to some of my final products. However, upon close examination, the links of chain and balls are not well done in this piece. The separation between the balls are also not drastic enough to show the gradient. After finishing. Nevertheless, I would still try it out on my printed products, may be earrings, necklace or headpieces.

source: kavantcharat official instagram Kavantcharat has a lot of amazing designs that maximize the beauty of curves, geometry shapes and lines. — source: kavantcharat official instagram
Kavantcharat has a lot of amazing designs that maximize the beauty of curves, geometry shapes and lines.

I came across this piece of jewelry on instagram and it reminds me of the lightness of feather, the movement of phoenix tails. So I did some wiring to try out the possible looks. However, there is a big issue regarding 3D printing the design, which I will elaborate in my next part 2 post.

wanted to make a spiral effect but obviously didn't come out well — wanted to make a spiral effect but obviously didn’t come out well

Added a wing onto the piece and changed the angle of the wire. But the wing is so out of position at first

Adjusted the wire and the wing but nothing noticeable from the photo. As u can see, the end of the wire is poking directly onto my neck, which is pretty spiky and uncomfortable.

Adjusted the wire again but it was still poking me

I bent the wire more so it will not discomfort me. The wing has also been adjusted to be closer to my ear. But I am not very satisfied with this look although it is comfortable to wear now. The curves doesn't flow well visually — I bent the wire more so it will not discomfort me. The wing has also been adjusted to be closer to my ear. But I am not very satisfied with this look although it is comfortable to wear now. The curves doesn’t flow well visually

More sketchings of my designs of earrings and chokers will be in next part 2 post as well.

Also, I took some photos of the CNY and Chritmas editions in shops.

They look festive but cliche to me. They are very straightforward in representing “Chinese””Auspicious””China””Happiness”, and they look cute, but also boring to me because there is nothing new about them.

Here is a random practices I did to get a felling of how jewelry designers sketches dine jewelries.

Sketching practices following youtube videos

In part 2 there will be some 3D printing experimentation failures, sketches of chokers and new ideas. Basically I feel that, like what we learnt from Product Design year 2, to represents a animal doesn’t need to draw the entire feature out. I refined my designs into a simpler direction. For example, my previous idea of the phoenix choker can be further simplified to the gesture of the phoenix wings or tails, It is not a MUST to add a bird head onto the piece to tell people this is a phoenix or this is a bird.

The choker can also be designed in a way that can be worn two-way, i.e. there isn’t strict front and back, each side has its own beauty.

to be continued hmm…

Day: January 8, 2017

Chinese New Year-How are the famous brands celebrating the Year of Chicken

handmade jewelries, sketching practices, CNY jewelries-Part 1