For over 10 years the Hong Kong-based jewellery designer Ronno Yip has worked in jewellery industry and won a number of design competitions including the latest IU Award International Gem Cutting and Jewellery Design Competition. He felt sad for the neglected local culture and the fading characteristics of Hong Kong. Witnessing the increasing numbers of Chinese designers who successfully promote their oriental-style jewellery to the West, he was determined to establish his own brand Hong Kong Oapes to promote the Hong Kong culture through his local-style jewellery.
Different from other mainstream jewellery designers, Yip makes his jewellery a souvenir of Hong Kong for tourists. “To give a deeper impression to visitors, many countries will introduce souvenirs featuring their distinctive local culture.” He said: “We find that our tourism and retail industry puts particular focus on promoting international brands, yet lacking a Hong Kong-style product.”
In his memory, the first impression of Hong Kong from tourists is street food, such as egg tart, Chinese pudding, etc. In order to evoke memories of their visits in Hong Kong, Yip creates the Hong Kong Street Food collection such as egg tart necklace, Chinese pudding pendant and pineapple bun necklace in 925 silver and natural gemstones. He also produces custom-made collections in karat-gold on request.
The latest Victoria Harbour collection showcases the renowned stunning night skyline on the pendant. He expressed: “We try to infuse cultural elements into jewellery. When you walk, the pendant will tinkle, just like the ring from the Queen’s Pier’s clock tower.”
Yip’s jewellery is now available at the Hong Kong Ocean Park and two HKTDC Design Gallery, Wan Chai and Hong Kong International Airport. He said: “I will exhibit at the Hong Kong International Jewellery Show in March. And now I am approaching the Taiwan Eslite Group and a German bookstore, hoping to promote Hong Kong-style jewellery there on a consignment basis.”
← Back