Sarah Ho London is relatively a young jewellery brand, but already well known amongst international clientele and refined connoisseurs. Award-wining designer and talented person, Sarah exactly knows how to success in the jewellery industry predominantly ruled by male designers. Every little moment in her life is delicately reinterpreted in jewellery. It is an expression of a perfect balance between creativity and design thanks to her extraordinary ability to make precious and semiprecious gems coalesce with traditional and contemporary materials in an inimitable harmony of form and colour, volume and proportion. Sarah Ho jewels embody sophisticated femininity and radiant beauty through an everlasting elegance. In our exclusive interview with Sarah Ho find out more about her unique, fascinating world of jewellery.
L.C.: How did you start making jewellery?
S.H.: I originally studied fashion at the London Metropolitan University in London and then decided to go on to do a degree in jewellery design followed by graduating as a gemmologist at the HRD in Antwerp. I have always loved jewellery which was influenced at an early age as both my mother and grandmother were avid collectors, albeit with different styles.
L.C.: What are your sources of inspiration?
S.H.: I think it is very important for jewellery to have a story. I am inspired by the different chapters of my life, whether they are childhood memories, my heritage or places that are special to me. These influences flow through my jewellery designs. I also love Art Deco period, the patterns, the architecture and the fashion.
L.C.: What are your favourite gemstones, why?
S.H.: I love all gemstones and I have a collection of beautiful stones that I have found on my travels. At the moment, conch pearls are my favourite. They are natural, rare, beautiful and come in a variety of shapes and colours. My latest designs take these pearls and mix them with other gemstones such as jade or pearls. I have also just designed a collection using unusual shapes of jade that have allowed me to create designs that have traditional values but interpreted in a modern way.
L.C.: What are the three most important factors you note when designing a new piece?
S.H.: Each piece must have a unique story to tell; be a timeless classic with a modern twist, comfortable and wearable; include my signature style of fine lines, delicate metal lacework and gemstones.
L.C.: What do you think is a must-have item for every woman, why?
S.H.: In an ideal world, every woman should have a bespoke piece of jewellery that is designed for her. A piece that has its own story to tell that reflects her personality and captures significant moments in her life. In a practical world, a pair of simple diamond earstuds is a great start for your diamond wardrobe as they are a classic and perfect anywhere, anytime.
L.C.: Are you exploring any new material for your future collections?
S.H.: I am constantly looking for unusual gemstones to include in my collections or one-off masterpieces. I love colour and putting together unusual shaped gemstones. I follow trends on new materials but I prefer to use traditional materials such as gold and platinum but push the boundaries of production, especially where a piece can be worn in a number of ways.
L.C.: What is your favourite part about being a jewellery designer?
S.H.: I love being able to let my imagination run wild and not be restricted by the boundaries of time or budget and then working with the craftsman to make my dream a reality. My favourite part is seeing a design come to life and manifesting in the finished piece.
L.C.: What kind of women do you create jewellery for?
S.H.: With my one-off masterpieces, I create jewellery for the discerning woman who is confident about wearing jewellery and has a jewellery wardrobe to fit any occasion. These women are looking for a special piece that is unique that nobody else has. They have their classics but also appreciate good design.
L.C.: Is jewellery more than just an adornment for a modern woman?
S.H.: There are some pieces of jewellery that are worn as a fashion statement, as an accessory or just for fun. A piece of precious jewellery is special. This is often more symbolic, such as a gift from a loved one, an inherited piece, a jewel that marks a milestone in life or a piece that someone has bought for themselves.
L.C.: What according to you does contribute do your success?
S.H.: To follow my heart and be true to myself. It is important to have determination and not get down hearted or give up when the going gets tough. Always learn from mistakes as this makes us a stronger and better person. From a design perspective, intuition is important to success. When designing a bespoke piece for a client and for any collections I make classic design elements creating feminine jewellery with a modern contemporary style.
2 March 2017, Lusine Chilingarian
Photo Courtesy of Sarah Ho London
www.shojewellery.com
