Hong Kong-based jewellery artist Vann Kwok continues to merge fashion and contemporary art through her sculptural, narrative-driven creations. Since founding Vann Jewellery in 2019, Kwok has shifted her focus from following trends to prioritizing self-expression and artistic storytelling.
Kwok, in her early forties, began her career studying fashion design at Polytechnic University in Hong Kong before working as a costume designer in the local film industry throughout her twenties. In 2013, she enrolled in a master’s programme in fashion artefact at the University of the Arts London, where she embraced an experimental approach that encouraged her to challenge the boundaries between fashion and art. This period marked a pivotal moment for Kwok as she transitioned toward more conceptual, sculptural work.
Her innovative approach to jewellery design earned her recognition at international competitions, including the International Talent Support Awards in Europe in 2015 and the UK Arts Foundation Jewellery Award in 2016. These accolades helped fund her living expenses and provided opportunities to work at notable London establishments, such as the now-closed Hussein Chalayan store and Vivienne Westwood’s jewellery department. Both experiences aligned well with her aesthetic—Chalayan’s avant-garde style and Westwood’s costume-inspired pieces influenced Kwok’s evolving design philosophy.
Returning to Hong Kong in 2017, Kwok deepened her exploration of “body sculpture,” a theme carried over from her time in London. Her work emphasizes three-dimensional forms, rich colours, and the materials’ textures, often incorporating imperfections as part of the creative process. She expresses particular interest in organic shapes and fluid forms that appear frozen mid-motion, reflecting her fascination with materiality and transformation.
Kwok’s upcoming collection, titled “Isekai,” is set to debut in early 2027. Named after a Japanese science fiction subgenre meaning “strange world” or “other world,” the collection embodies her signature aesthetic of navigating unfamiliar dimensions through imaginative, otherworldly designs. She describes her creative process as ongoing, often revisiting and refining previous pieces rather than viewing them as ever fully complete.
Through Vann Jewellery, Kwok continues to build a platform for artistic communication that transcends fashion’s cyclical trends, placing narrative depth and sculptural innovation at the forefront of her work.