Cover Risis CEO Verene Ng and BP de Silva Holdings chairman Sunil Amarasuriya
Risis CEO Verene Ng and BP de Silva Holdings chairman Sunil Amarasuriya
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As Risis marks its 50th anniversary, the Singapore jewellery house enters a new chapter—one that reimagines the orchid as a contemporary symbol of craftsmanship, innovation and Singapore-made luxury
For half a century, Risis has transformed one of Singapore’s most recognisable natural symbols into precious objects of permanence. What began in 1976 with the preservation of a single orchid bloom has evolved into a distinctly Singaporean expression of craftsmanship and cultural identity. Today, as the brand marks its 50th anniversary, Risis finds itself at another point of transformation. Under the stewardship of BP de Silva Holdings and the leadership of Risis CEO Verene Ng, the house is entering a new chapter that positions the orchid not merely as a souvenir of Singapore, but as a contemporary emblem of design and modern luxury.
BP de Silva Holdings, one of Singapore’s oldest family-run businesses, traces its history back 154 years. “With a 154-year legacy, stewardship is about purposeful evolution. I have long held a clear vision: to align with Singapore’s image on the global stage and ensure Singaporean brands stand confidently alongside the world’s finest,” says its chairman, Sunil Amarasuriya. “Heritage is not preserved by standing still; it must be continually reinterpreted to remain meaningful across generations.”
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It is a philosophy that has shaped the Group’s stewardship of Risis since the mid-1980s. From the outset, Amarasuriya saw in the brand something uniquely compelling: “It was uniquely Singaporean in origin, crafted by human hands, and built upon a distinctive technology developed in Singapore. It represented a rare convergence of science, artistry and national identity,” he notes.
That convergence remains central to the brand today. While Risis first became known for its proprietary technique of preserving and gold-plating real orchids, its interpretation of the flower has evolved considerably under Ng’s leadership. “The orchid has always been at the heart of Risis, but under our evolution, it is no longer a single expression but a living canvas for reinvention,” she says.
The orchid has always been at the heart of Risis, but under our evolution, it is no longer a single expression but a living canvas for reinvention.
In recent years, the brand has moved beyond the familiar Vanda Miss Joaquim to work with a wider range of orchid species, translating them into jewellery and objets d’art that feel more contemporary in mood and design language. A significant turning point came in 2021, when Risis embarked on a rebrand aimed at younger audiences. Collaborations with local designers and the introduction of gemstones helped reposition the house from a heritage Singaporean label into a contemporary jewellery brand with broader international appeal.
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“We transitioned Risis from a well-established Singaporean brand with a rich heritage into an internationally relevant label that resonates with younger audiences,” says Ng, adding, “A pivotal shift has been our embrace of sustainable design through a wabi-sabi philosophy. By working with imperfect blooms, we transform what would traditionally be discarded into striking, asymmetrical pieces, ensuring no bloom goes to waste while elevating the aesthetic into something deeply modern and intentional.”
While the romance of the orchid remains front and centre, Risis has also invested in refining the technical side of its production capabilities. Its proprietary cyanide-free Swiss gold bath produces hypoallergenic pieces while supporting more sustainable manufacturing practices, from precious metal recycling to wastewater treatment.
“We balance our artisanal heritage by treating our traditional techniques as a foundation for innovation, not a limitation,” says Ng. “Without compromising our core craftsmanship, we pioneered a way to adorn natural orchids with brilliant diamonds and sapphires.”
Those developments have gradually moved the brand into more elevated territory. This year’s Jubilee Capsule Series, unfolding across five chapters—Roots, Innovation, Splendour, Imagination and Symphony—charts that progression from preservation craft to high jewellery and beyond. The collections explore Peranakan influences, Art Deco references and increasingly sophisticated gemstone work, while signalling Risis’s ambitions in horology. “Symphony reflects our bold move of branching into horology,” says Ng. “It is the final symphony where our heritage, sustainability and international ambitions perfectly align.”
Internationally, the response has been encouraging. Following showcases in Paris and Japan last year, the brand is continuing to expand its global visibility, including presentations at Australia Fashion Week. Yet for both Ng and Amarasuriya, expansion is not simply about scale.
“Expansion in itself is not the ultimate goal—influence is,” says Amarasuriya.
That thinking informs one of the brand’s most ambitious undertakings to date: the inaugural Orchid Gala, conceived as Asia’s first event of its kind. Taking place during Risis’s Jubilee year, the gala aims to bring together patrons, collectors and cultural tastemakers in support of biodiversity conservation and women-focused initiatives, including the Garden City Fund by NParks, Voices of Singapore, Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund and United Women Singapore.
“In a city long celebrated as a global garden, Singapore now unveils a new expression of its identity: one that moves beyond landscape into legacy,” says Ng. “The Orchid Gala signals the beginning of this evolution, placing the nation firmly on the global stage, and positioning Risis at the forefront of a movement that unites luxury, innovation and the enduring power of nature.”
Part of that vision includes the Legacy Orchid Naming initiative, where patrons will have the opportunity to name rare orchid hybrids and transform them into bespoke jewellery or lifestyle creations. “By naming a new hybrid, we aren’t just creating a product; we are contributing to the botanical lineage of our nation,” says Ng.
Underlying it all is an ambition to redefine Singapore-made luxury. “Made of Singapore is far more than a statement of origin—it is a standard to which we hold ourselves,” says Amarasuriya. “It reflects the discipline, integrity and quiet ambition that have shaped Singapore.”
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Images: Risis
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Annabel Tan is the Editor of Watches and Jewellery at Tatler Singapore, where she covers all things luxury timepieces and fine jewellery across both print and digital platforms. She is also the Editor of Tatler GMT Singapore, a role that deepens her fascination with the ever-evolving world of watchmaking. Outside of work, she’s usually on the hunt for her next favourite watch that she can’t afford, planning her next beach getaway, or catching up on the latest Formula 1 race.
