Beautiful Baubles: Everard + Wang's Wang Lei

We’ve had our eye on this designer for ages. Her edgy jewelry line, Everard + Wang, sells at all the hottest boutiques in town, and makes regular appearances in local fashion editorials. A former dancer from Wuhan, Wang Lei cites her graceful upbringing and her penchant for the eccentric as the main influences that guide her work.

If I wasn’t a jewelry designer, I’d still be working in fashion – maybe with bags and shoes? I can’t see myself doing anything else.

Ever since I was five years old, I’d hide out in my mother’s room making jewelry out of random things I found in the house. It seems a natural thing, for women to love jewelry.

We didn’t really expect Everard + Wang to sell in China. When we first started targeting the Chinese market two years ago, there were no shops here selling Chinese designers. It’s only recently that there’s been any demand for local talent.

When I design, I follow what I’m feeling and what I understand. I have a lot of crazy ideas; I need to be selective about which ones I use. I have to keep thinking – is that possible? Is that wearable?

There’s a definite connection between dance and jewelry. My old collection, “Spring,” is all about dance – the ballet spins and twirls. I like to show movement in my pieces. A cuff might be able to twist 360 degrees, or be flipped and worn on both sides.

I’ve made jewelry out of anything from plastic nametags to antique furniture from Panjiayuan. I like to use unexpected materials, stuff you wouldn’t typically associate with jewelry, and find a totally different way to present them.

The woman who wears Everard + Wang is no wallflower. She’s a fashion leader who can make her own decisions about fashion, and doesn’t need to follow what she reads in the magazines.

When I’m not wearing jewelry, I can’t quite feel confident. It’s kind of like forgetting to wear your underwear – something is missing.

For a list of local retailers, visit www.everardwang.com.