Cover Christine Dai at Art Basel (Photo: courtesy of Christine Dai The Art Jewel)
Christine Dai at Art Basel (Photo: courtesy of Christine Dai The Art Jewel)
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On March 27, 2024, an exclusive fireside talk curated by Tatler Hong Kong at Art Basel Hong Kong delved into the interplay between artistic expression and jewellery, while exploring the emotive narratives that surround cherished keepsakes
Moderator Ahy Choi, editor-in-chief of Tatler Hong Kong, led a conversation with jewellery designer and Tatler digital cover star Christine Dai, alongside guest speaker Beatrice Ho, a jewellery connoisseur renowned for her collection of story-rich pieces.
The fireside talk at Art Basel Hong Kong began by offering an intimate group of distinguished guests a primer into Dai’s eponymous brand’s unique creative point of view. Rooted in an early immersion in an artistic environment, Dai’s creations capture the interplay of light and shadow, sculptural dimensions and personal emotions. Her pieces, which pulsate with rarity and creativity, are heirloom-worthy artworks rich with history, culture and aesthetics.
As the talk unfolded, Ho highlighted the transcendent nature of jewellery and how she sees her work as a medium that “allows individuals to experiment and showcase their style”. She explained how both jewellery and art can serve as cultural expressions, celebrating history and evoking emotional responses.
Christine Dai, Angelica Cheung, Lynn Hsieh, Yvette Yung and Eleanor Lam (Photo: Billy Chan and Humphrey Ng/ Tatler Hong Kong)
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For Dai, art is also a medium that is seasoned with sentiment. She recalls receiving her first piece of jewellery from her grandmother—a necklace adorned with a ruby—that holds immense personal value. Her grandmother passed away before she fully delved into the world of art jewellery, but she was central to a transformative moment during Dai’s artistic studies in Europe.
“I visited the Pantheon in Rome,” she said. “It is a magnificent dome-shaped structure where sunlight enters through the oculus at the top. When I visited during a festival at noon, rose petals showered down from the dome, creating a mesmerising scene of red petals descending with the sunlight. In that moment, it felt as if my grandmother was once again placing the ruby necklace around my neck. It was an indescribable sense of the sacred and warmth that embraced me.”
This experience inspired Dai’s Rose Garden collection, which features brilliant red rubies in the centre of delicate red “petals”. Encapsulating a poignant moment of artistry, the range serves as both a tribute to the transformative encounter beneath the Pantheon’s dome and an expression of the designer’s longing for her grandmother.
Andrea So and Ashley Chu (Photo: Billy Chan and Humphrey Ng/ Tatler Hong Kong)
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Echoing her, Ho shared her personal journey of encountering the artistic qualities of jewellery. She fondly recounted the profound impact of her aunt, Pansy Ho, chairperson and executive director of MGM China Holdings, gifting her a ruby ring on her tenth birthday. The experience ignited her passion for collecting jewellery pieces rich with stories and artistic value.
As the conversation came to a close, it became clear that jewellery is not just as a symbol of luxury but also wearable art that tells stories, evokes emotions and holds priceless value—a testament to the enduring power of artistic expression.
