A.win Siu: Crafting elegance

The meeting with independent jewelry designer and illustrator A.win Siu at Gemgenève in May 2023 was a source of great inspiration for me.

I was struck by the joy and enthusiasm of this young Chinese jewelry designer.

Background and early influences – Xiao Xintong (who adopted the name A.win Siu for her brand) was born in Qing Xuan and then moved to Guangzhou for her studies. She developed an early passion for art and design and was exposed to the rich heritage of Chinese craftsmanship from a young age. The intricate details, symbolism, and stories behind each piece fascinated her and planted the seeds of her future career.

Achievements – In November 2017 she founded her brand A.win Siu and success was immediate. A.win Siu ‘s artistic flair and her unique approach to design have garnered significant recognition both in China and abroad. Her jewelry collections have been showcased in prestigious exhibitions, and she has received numerous accolades for her outstanding craftsmanship and innovative designs. Recently, she participated in the “The Joy of Color exhibition: The evolution of the Jewellery in the Era of the Metaverse and NFT’s” showcasing her “Candy brooch”. This event took place from March 10 to May 10, 2023 at the Shenzhen Jewellery Museum www.jewelrymuseumsz.com and was curated by the Creative Director and jewelry expert Paola De Luca and her team from The Futurist, in partnership with Italian Exhibition Group’s jewellery forecasting observatory TRENDVISION. The participation in Gemgenève – May 2023 in the New Designers area gave her the opportunity to captivate the hearts of the jewelry connoisseurs worldwide with her remarkable creations. GemGenève, the prestigious international jewelry exhibition, has always been a platform that showcases extraordinary talents and innovation in the world of fine jewelry, thanks also to Nadège Totah, who curates the Emerging Talents and New Designers section and has a particular sensitivity in choosing these talents with her heart and intuition.

The Interview – I asked A.win Siu why she chose a candy to express her poetics.

“During the pandemic, which was a tragic period for everyone, I wanted to give a sign of hope and joy by creating a candy.A way to give a little sweetness and delicate enthusiasm to people suffering”.

Something Sweet: the main stones are Sri Lankan sapphire, Brazilian Paraiba tourmaline and Burmese spinel. The frame is made of titanium. The enamel enhances the texture of the candy wrapper

The sources of inspiration of A.win Siu are much more complex and varied. She loves astronomy, philosophy, history, psychology and travelling. “When my design expression comes into contact with travel, all the five senses are involved. Each combination of different abstract lines and colours can create a subconscious sensory experience. Warm colours for instance, transmit joy, lust for life, the metal colors make people feel high-tech, bright colors make people think of sweet; fluorescent green can evoke sourness and the different shades of earth may seem bitter. The tactile aspect is easier to express because I can choose a mix and match of different materials.” All these themes are reflected in her creations where color and a great surge of optimism are always present. Her smile is sweet and captivating and instills a sense of positivity for everyone around her.

The series Cloud iridescence in Mogao Caves

The series Cloud iridescence in Mogao Caves – The Mogao Caves, also known as the “Thousand Buddha Grottoes” form a system of 500 temples, southeast of the center of Dunhuang, an oasis located at a religious and cultural crossroads on the ancient Silk Road, in Gansu province in China. This site is full of symbolism: it is the great womb of earth and sky, a symbol of life, but also of death.I asked A.win Siu if there is also sadness in her production: “When I was a child, I didn’t understand what death was. When my grandfather, a very important figure in my life, died, for the first time I reflected on the transience of life. My approach to death is a contemplation and also a concern to heritage”.

Cat’s eye Ring, cat’s eye stone, crystal, diamonds, sapphires, titanium

Tourmaline brooch, tourmaline, crystal, diamonds, sapphires, tanzanite, titanium

Tanzanite earrings. tanzanite, crystal, diamonds, tsavorite, titanium

Inspiration by the sea creatures – The Nautilus shell, with its captivating spiral pattern, has inspired many jewelry designers. The nautilus theme in jewelry design often highlights the natural beauty and wondrous elegance of the shell. Its spiral shape is highly regarded in Chinese symbolism, representing the cyclical nature of life, harmony and equilibrium. It is also believed to bring protection and ward off negative energy. The intricate chambers within the shell are seen as a representation of personal growth and inner transformation.

Nautilus earrings

Part of Ocean, amber, ruby, paraiba, diamonds, titanium

Meticulous Craftsmanship – One of the defining characteristics of A.win Siu‘s jewelry is her unparalleled attention to detail. Each piece is meticulously crafted with the utmost precision and care. From the selection of precious gemstones to the intricate metalwork, every aspect of the design is carried out with great accuracy. She uses titanium, a very complicated technique.

Playful Ring, ruby, handmade glass, diamonds, sapphires, titanium

A Celebration of Gemstones – Gemstones hold a special place in A.win Siu‘s designs and the exceptional use of vibrant gemstones is a hallmark of her work. From breathtaking diamonds to mesmerizing colored gemstones, each stone is thoughtfully selected and placed to enhance the overall design.

What’s next – A.win Siu smiles while she tells me that she can’t reveal her future projects just yet. Surely, there will be an important exhibition in Beijing or Shanghai. Afterwards, other important collaborations are in view.

Glasses: titanium, yellow sapphire, amber and diamond