Interview: Hadassah Lau -- wired for fashion

Hadassah Lau is just a simple girl who likes nothing more than to pursue her hobbies. As the creator of Hadasity Designs, Hadassah Lau has created a unique brand of female accessories with wires. Her accessories have been featured in various fashion shows in New York and are gaining much attention in the States.

CNNGo takes some time out to meet this self-proclaimed 'crazy wire lady' to see if it was her who had a few screws loose or was it just avid fashionistas going ape over her jewelry.

CNNGo: What does Hadasity Designs represent?

Hadassah Lau: Hadasity Designs represents the "bold and beautiful." Each Hadasity piece is like the fashionable woman of today - taking the brave step of daring to be different and beautiful. Each item of jewelry is custom-made and unique, created from vintage beads and trinkets hand-selected from flea markets throughout New York.

A signature piece from Hadasity Designs

CNNGo: When did you start making jewellery?

Lau: I got into making jewelry during the post-GCE "O" levels' break. A couple of my classmates brought beads and earring hooks to class, and I found myself instantly intrigued. I immediately went to a beads shop in town and spend my allowances on pitiful beads. They were so expensive and my designs were all made with only seed beads, and as you can imagine they were very tiny.

CNNGo: What did you like about fashion that made you realize that you wanted to do this full-time?

Lau: I’ve always loved fashion. When I was 13, I started buying magazines like Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar and loved reading about artistes and designers and admired the jewelry. Over time, with my mind constantly bursting with ideas and my compulsive obsession with buying different kinds of beads, stones, and vintage brooches and then making them into wearable wire art, the only way I would be able to pay for my creative gluttony is to do this full time.

CNNGo: Where do you get your inspiration to create so many different types of designs?

Lau: When I start on something, it is actually best for me to not be thinking of anything in particular. My confidence comes from knowing that no matter which twist or turn I take with my wire the end result will always be fabulous. That is why all my designs are different. I take a different twist in my wire every single time. Having different designs is just about daring to be different.

CNNGo: How has the reception been from your customers?

Lau: I have been getting such mixed feelings from the general public. I think my jewelry does not have the mass appeal that simple jewelry has because not everyone knows how to carry it off. But those that have discovered how intricate and unique my jewelry can be and who know how to pull it off do buy five to 10 items at a go. I’ve had custom order requests for wedding hair pieces using vintage brooches and jewelry using specific designs such as a frog or dragonfly. I love doing custom orders because it feels like the customer and I are taking on an adventure!

CNNGo: Can we expect to see more of Hadasity in upcoming fashion shows?

Lau: Hadasity will definitely be in more fashion shows in time to come. However, it’s all still in the works so I can’t really say when and where yet. For details on when and where the next one would be the best way would be to join the mailing list on my website!

getting there

Hadasity Designs is sold at www.hadasity.com and also carried by
Anthropology
16A Lorong Mambong, Holland Village, Singapore
tel +65 6466 3227
www.anthropology.com.sg