Anabela Chan is a London-based designer of Chinese heritage, hailing from a lineage that has spanned three generations in the film business.
Raised split between Paris and London, she studied at the Royal College of Art and the Gemological Association of Great Britain, experiences that helped her identify her unique skill in selecting gemstones for her creations.
In her role as a jewelry designer, Anabela prioritizes stone selection to craft captivating visual narratives.
To fully grasp Anabela Chan’s diverse passions, one must note her seven-year tenure in fashion alongside designer Alexander McQueen in London, as well as her work with architect Richard Rogers, reflecting her deep engagement with fashion, architecture, and the arts.
Anabela Chan reflects on her journey:
At sixteen, I interviewed Andrew Grim, a jeweler to the British Royal Court, for a school art assignment. He and his wife Jojo graciously hosted my art teacher, Sue Stanway, and me at Burlington Arcade in central London. There, Andrew patiently addressed my queries and displayed his exquisite jewels and original sketches in person.
Even though I pursued architecture and later fashion design before returning to the Royal College of Art for jewelry studies, it was that day, as an awestruck teenager, that I fell permanently in love with the jewelry world.
With an artistic background but no formal business training, I organically developed my brand using clear vision, practical sense, and intuition. I launched my namesake label six years after graduating from the Royal College of Art, where I earned my Master of Arts in Jewelry and Silversmithing.
My early collections were showcased at Selfridges and The Conran Shop in London, as well as online via Luisa Via Roma. I quickly garnered five international accolades from Vogue Talents, The Goldsmiths’ Craft & Design Council, and the Gemological Association of Great Britain.
I started hosting private pop-up exhibitions globally, ranging from London and Paris to Milan, Hong Kong, and Dubai, eventually opening my first boutique at the Ham Yard Hotel on Piccadilly Square. Most recently, in summer 2020, we unveiled a new Sloane Street location near Harrods, a place I personally enjoy visiting for tea and Ladurée macaroons.
