In 2004, Cindy Chao founded her eponymous brand, CINDY CHAO The Art Jewel meaning the brand turns 20 this year. To mark its 20th anniversary, the brand has released a new collection including the iconic “Dragonfly” and “Four Seasons” motifs, which each blend jewellery and art.
Known for her haute creations, Chao’s Black Label Masterpieces are displayed in prestigious institutions like the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, the Musée des Art Décoratifs, and the Victoria and Albert Museum. Her brand has received acclaim at international art exhibitions such as the Biennale des Antiquaires, the European Fine Art Fair (TEFAF), and the Masterpiece London.
In 2021, Cindy Chao became the first Asian jewellery designer to be awarded the “Knight of the Order of Arts and Literature” by the French Ministry of Culture, recognising her as an “exceptional artist-jeweller who keeps pushing the limits of art.”
In February 2024, Cindy Chao was invited to guest lecture at the prestigious Haute École de Joaillerie in Paris. She shared her expertise in traditional French jewellery wax sculpting (Cire Perdue) and her unique creative vision. Where students, under her guidance, crafted a large-scale wax sculpture exhibited at the Louvre Museum
Over the years, Cindy Chao’s art jewels have graced the red carpets, including the Oscars, Cannes Film Festival, and Met Gala. This year’s Oscars saw Michelle Yeoh and Matthew McConaughey radiating in her pieces, while past stars like Julia Roberts, Amy Adams, and Sarah Jessica Parker have also worn her creations.
Celebrating two decades of artistry, Chao’s 20th Anniversary Collection embodies her enduring spirit of creative freedom and confidence amassed over her artistic journey.
The centrepiece of Cindy Chao’s 20th Anniversary Collection is the “Four Seasons” leaf motif, representing the perpetual cycle of nature. Chao uses the hardest metal, titanium, to create the softest curvatures showcasing her evolution as an artist.
This journey began with the “Winter Branch Necklace and Bangle,” in 2007, which auctioned at nearly three times the estimated price. It was this pivotal moment that catapulted her to international fame and hence the creations hold profound significance for the artist.
After a decade, Chao revisited the winter theme in 2016, earning accolades at the Paris Biennale des Antiquaires she reiterated “Winter Leaves Necklace” which later earned the Masterpiece Highlight at the Masterpiece London. Chao then worked with 12 European master craftsmen to study and forge the organic forms of the leaves and completed them with a three-dimensional setting. She spent three cycles of the four seasons to accomplish the intricate leaf motifs. Each leaf brooch, weighing 22 grams, is set with around 1,500 gemstones on a 1.77mm titanium base, capturing the essence of each season, with meticulous attention to detail, lightness, and the organic beauty of nature, pushing the boundaries of titanium metalwork to new heights.
The “Dragonfly” brooches in the 20th Anniversary Collection symbolise Chao’s persistence and courage over two decades. Dragonflies were a common inspiration in art history and were seen in many great works. With their ethereal beauty and a blend of fragility, Chao’s dragonflies possess the power to soar through the skies at a speed of up to 100 kilometres per hour.
Cindy Chao’s “Annual Butterfly” symbolises the artist’s metamorphosis, while the dragonfly brooches in her 20th Anniversary Collection represent her persistence and courage over two decades. Each unique brooch, inspired by nature, features at least 13 gemstones in over 50 various hues, blending titanium, gold, ox-born, and light-activated resin. This intricate engineering and vibrant artistry reflect Chao’s spirit of breaking through challenges and transcending boundaries.
The 20th Anniversary Collection is a testament to Chao’s artistic journey and meticulous craftsmanship, celebrating her revolutionary vision and dedication to the art of jewellery making.