Profile: Katherine Song, Swarovski Crystal Jewellery Designer
Cynthia Cheng
http://prospere-magazine.com/2008/05/13/profile-katherine-song-swarovski-crystal-jewellery-designer/
Crystal jewellery designer Katherine Song graduated with a master’s degree in fashion design in China and arrived in Toronto 2000. At the time, she was working for John Bead Corp, Canada’s leading bead importer. Prior to coming to Canada, Katherine taught Fashion Design and Fashion Accessories Design at the Northwest Textile Institute in Xian, China. Katherine still has a piece of jewellery her students made - aa shell necklace, handmade by one of her students.
When Katherine first started at John Bead, she was working with glass beads and semi-precious metal beads, and was promoted to the Swarovski department in 2003. This was when she fell in love with crystals. She had not seen so many varieties and different colours before! In 2007, Katherine launched her company, Katherine Song Originals, which specializes on Swarovski crystal jewellery and accessories.
Katherine on where people can find information on her work:
My pieces are sold at the following boutiques:
Belinda’s Boutique, located at 2017 Avenue Road, Toronto
Wear 2000, Lawrence Square Shopping Center, Unit #114
Sussman’s Bridal Supplies, 428 Queen Street West
Matsuzakaya Fashion, New Century Plaza, Suite 52, Markham
On what makes her different from other crystal jewellery designers:
I have wide range of collections than other designers in Toronto. I am not only doing regular jewellery , also I have home décor line, crystal embellishing line, such as clothing, belt, sunglasses, pictureframes, cellphone, keychain, tea set, dishes and more.
On that one piece of jewellery (the shell necklace handmade by a student) made by one of her students:
To me it is not just a strand of necklace, but also recalls my teaching experience and friendship with my students - a group of young innocent people.
On how long she spends per piece:
It depends on hte style. A simple pair of earrings may only take five minutes, but some may take me years from inspiration until completion. The best of my jewellery is “Power of Life”, which won first place in the professional category of first Swarovski design contest in 2005. I started to “sketch” it in my mind in 2003, then made a few sketches on paper and sample pieces until I submitted it to the design contest in 2005. I kept changing colour combinations and improved techniques to make it perfect. The inspiration is “MEI”, a flower from my home country, the meaning is persistence, indicated my immigration life and spirit.
On her workspace:
I work at home most of time. I use a table as my working desk and a cabinet stock my crystals and findings. I am a pack rat - I like to keep everything, believing that I’d reuse them in other jewellery or art pieces I create. My workspace is cozy and well organized. I always turn the music on to get relaxed and inspired.
On whether she uses an assistant:
No, I don’t have assistant to help me and 100% are handmade. However, I’m always looking for a someone who can help me on marketing and sales.
On the type of woman who buys her jewellery:
I focused on the “Bay Street” woman when I first started. Later, when I slowly expanded my product lines, my customers, which vary in ages. Middle-aged women will buy crystal products for themselves, for example, but also like to buy gifts for their husbands, kids, parents and friends.
Who are Katherine’s influences?:
Fashion designer Coco Chanel and movie director Ang Lee as they have influenced my career in different stages of my life.
On where she’d like to take her brand:
My next business strategy is to approach high end art galleries and to collaborate with local fashion designers, such as Ross Mayer - I used work for him as his assistant. I’d also like to work with Lucian Matis (Project Runway Canada), an up and coming Toronto fashion designer.
NOTE: In addition to the boutiques mentioned above, Katherine’s products have also been featured on websites like Petite Fashionista, Create Your Style, the Mandarin Profile Awards and the website/magazines Trends Asia.
Images: Catherine the Great (top) and Crystal Mimosa (bottom) © Katherine Song/katherinesong.com
