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Business Times
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Business Times
Lee Hwa's golden homage to bridal jewellery
THERE IS NOTHING QUITE LIKE a wedding. The journey that culminates in the joining of two hearts, two lives, into a promise of love and commitment deserves more than just a celebration – it must be distinguished with lasting, cherished symbols. For centuries, the tradition of gifting a bride with gold jewellery and the exchanging of wedding bands have marked marital unions. From the joy of exploring diverse designs and excitement of selecting rings to the cool sensation of a necklace draping onto one's neck – these are timeless signs of devotion the world over. Yet, beyond romantic gestures, couples are increasingly recognising the multifaceted value of these precious mementos. Imperial Gold earrings in 999 gold with diamonds. PHOTO: LEE HWA Wedding jewellery ornaments, after all, are also meaningful investments, tangible products of fine craftsmanship and strong statements of personal style. In their quest for pieces that reflect both their values and individuality, many are rediscovering the irresistible pull of gold, with the lustrous metal experiencing a powerful renaissance. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 2 pm Lifestyle Our picks of the latest dining, travel and leisure options to treat yourself. Sign Up Sign Up As bold, timeless gold jewellery makes a resurgence, the discerning are looking to Lee Hwa – a leading purveyor of jewellery for over half a century – for its distinctive take on this marvellous material. Welcome, to the full splendour of Imperial Gold and ITALGOLD. Imperial Gold – Where heritage meets heirloom As the first in the world to introduce purple gold and popularise white gold, Lee Hwa is once again blazing the trail with Imperial Gold. With it, the jeweller pays homage to centuries of Chinese goldsmithing heritage, yet elevates tradition by reimagining it for today's astute couples. Imperial Gold necklace and pendant in 999 gold with diamonds. PHOTO: LEE HWA Drawing on the opulence of ancient Chinese craftsmanship, pieces are crafted in pure 999 gold using artisanal techniques once reserved for the Imperial Court. Expertise in filigree, hammering, engraving and enamelling are on full display, as pieces come to life in fabulous forms. Imperial Gold earrings in 999 gold with diamonds. PHOTO: LEE HWA Each piece is then carefully hand-finished with a signature satin-matte texture, complete with intricate ornamental detail. Showcasing Lee Hwa's technical mastery and innovative spirit, select pieces are even set with brilliant diamonds – a rare achievement in 999 gold given its inherent softness. The beauty of Imperial Gold jewellery belies the fact that their designs are also steeped in meaning. Many pieces in the collection carry powerful cultural symbolism – koi fish representing abundance and perseverance; floral motifs symbolising love, harmony and new beginnings; and bamboo signifying strength, resilience, integrity and longevity. Imperial Gold ring with dragon design in 999 gold. PHOTO: LEE HWA Imperial Gold ring with phoenix design in 999 gold. PHOTO: LEE HWA Select designs are also inscribed with auspicious Chinese characters to convey blessings and prosperity. Blending heritage and artistry with enduring value, Imperial Gold is both a cherished bridal gift and a treasured modern heirloom to be passed down from generation to generation. ITALGOLD – Modern armour for the fearless couple Where Imperial Gold represents powerful symbolism and precious legacy, ITALGOLD embodies artisanal Italian craftsmanship in bold, contemporary designs. Its distinctive Italian aesthetics, architectural forms and gender-inclusive edge endear the collection to confident couples who desire strong, individualistic expressions of luxury in 916 gold. ITALGOLD bracelet in 916 gold. PHOTO: LEE HWA ITALGOLD earrings in 916 gold. ITALGOLD ring in 916 gold. PHOTO: LEE HWA Witness the sculptural silhouettes, striking chain links, geometric shapes and polished beads – each an unmistakable mark of distinctive style. Worn individually or sumptuously layered, ITALGOLD jewellery is everyday luxury designed to take its wearer effortlessly from wedding to every occasion thereafter. ITALGOLD Aurion ring in 916 gold. PHOTO: LEE HWA ITALGOLD ring in 916 gold. PHOTO: LEE HWA ITALGOLD Aurion necklace in 916 gold. PHOTO: LEE HWA In a daring evolution of the collection, Lee Hwa recently introduced ITALGOLD Aurion, a new range created for the self-assured, modern gentleman. Faithful to the DNA of the original, this series is crafted with masculine sensibilities in mind and features bold silhouettes and refined detailing. Yet, it also resonates powerfully with women who embrace a fearless, statement-driven style. What else could be more ideal for a dapper groom and chic bride seeking complementary jewellery that speaks to their shared style and strength? Mediacorp artiste, Desmond Tan. PHOTO: LEE HWA Perhaps the epitome of an ITALGOLD Aurion man is none other than award-winning actor, Desmond Tan. One could say the devoted husband and father is the modern groom's muse. Stylish, accomplished and sophisticated, Tan's courtship with his university sweetheart eventually led to a beautiful wedding ceremony in France four years ago. As the face of modern romance, his personal journey of love, marriage and parenthood finds poetic resonance in the collection that is designed not just for weddings, but each and every milestone that follows. So much so, Tan has curated a collection of Desmond's Signatures – bold yet authentic pieces – showcasing some of his favourite picks. Romance Cove – A dedicated bridal haven Wedding jewellery shopping needs to be personal and meaningful. To that end, Lee Hwa has thoughtfully designed its boutiques to offer a refined and intimate experience matching its commitment to celebrating love and milestones. Find serenity and personalised service at the Romance Cove in Lee Hwa boutiques. PHOTO: LEE HWA Amid the chaos that can come with wedding planning, a visit to the Romance Cove at ION Orchard, for instance, is a special encounter in a serene haven. Here, personalised service, careful advice and utmost privacy come together to create the perfect environment for considered decision-making. Besides engagement rings, wedding bands with diamonds and in 916 and 999 gold, traditional Si Dian Jin betrothal sets and occasion sets offer a wide range of options for couples. After all, jewellery is not just being bought, but chosen with great care and intention. A piece from Lee Hwa's 999 Gold Bar Bridal Series. PHOTO: LEE HWA Speaking of intention, those who understand wedding traditions will also know the significance of gold bars as a treasured part of bridal gifting. For an option that marries cultural meaning with tangible investment value, look to Lee Hwa's 999 Gold Bars. Exclusively designed in-house and released in limited editions, each gold bar tells a story of love, unity and new beginnings, fashioned through intricate details and meaningful motifs. A harmonious blend of tradition and modern sensibility, these are refreshing takes on a customary token that will last for generations. Indeed, when it comes to bold bridal jewellery, ceremony alone just won't cut it. Authenticity, self-expression, heritage, enduring value and meaning – they need to come together in a magical, harmonious mix to create some very special pieces. And after an illustrious 55 years, you can be sure that is something Lee Hwa understands well. Why shop anywhere else?
Metropolis Japan
22-07-2025
- General
- Metropolis Japan
Ukai: The Ancient Japanese Art of Cormorant Fishing
Anyone who has ever cast a dry fly into a lake or stream knows that feeling. All is quiet, all is peaceful—then bam! A hungry mouth breaks the surface, the fly disappears into the depths, and the world becomes a thrashing primordial tug-of-war between worlds—man versus scaly beast. For hundreds of years, the Coast Salish people of British Columbia constructed massive weirs from willow trees to corral salmon as they migrated upstream to spawn. Hawaiian slings are designed to shoot their prey like an underwater bow and arrow. In the American South, brave noodlers stick their hands into catfish holes with their own fingers as bait. And in one small village in Scotland, flounder trampers walk into the shallows and simply step on their fish. Tickling, gigging, binning, gaffing, gillnetting, harpooning, handlining, seining, trawling, jigging—there might be even more ways to catch a fish than to cook one. Japan's Deep Connection to Fishing Bound by the sea and blessed with numerous rivers and streams, Japan has long been known as a nation of fish lovers, with different regions developing particular local cuisines along with unique methods for procuring a tasty catch. Ukai, the ancient Japanese tradition of fishing with tame cormorants, is surely one of the most unusual. Practiced in Japan for at least 1,400 years, ukai claims its origins from the Nagaragawa River in Gifu, where it endures to this day. The basic process involves tying loose wire rings around the long necks of the cormorants, enabling the birds to swallow small prey but causing larger fish to become stuck in the gullet. The fisherman, known as an usho, then pulls the cormorant back to the boat where he extracts the fish. The most sought-after catch is the ayu, a freshwater sweetfish prized for its delicate texture and flavor. While ukai in Gifu was once a practical form of obtaining fish to be consumed and sold, these days it survives for its cultural value. The traditions and skills handed down from parent to child through countless generations have led to ukai being designated as an Intangible Cultural Property of Japan and formally recognized as Goryo Ukai (Imperial Cormorant Fishing) by the Japanese Imperial Family. A Spectacle for Lords, Warlords and Travelers The entertainment value of ukai fishing was also recognized hundreds of years ago by the Japanese elite. As far back as the Heian period (794-1185), lords and ladies from the Imperial Court in Kyoto gathered on a pleasure craft to watch the usho and their birds in action. The warlord Oda Nobunaga was also charmed by ukai. After seizing Inabayama Castle by the Nagaragawa in 1567 and renaming it Gifu Castle, he began to invite friends and loyalists such as Takeda Shingen and future shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu to observe the cormorants and their masters at work, followed by banquets featuring their fresh sweetfish catch. Visiting Gifu Today: Modern Ukai Performances These days, a modern reconstruction of Gifu Castle perches beautifully, if ahistorically, atop Mount Kinka at a bend in the Nagarawa River, a picture-perfect backdrop to modern demonstrations of ukai. These ukai performances are held from May to October each year, drawing in curious onlookers from all over the world. Guests are taken out onto the river at dusk in long wooden boats, each tipped with a basket containing a blazing fire that attracts fish and provides the boatman and his cormorants with a light by which to see. If you are picturing a man and a bird linked by a single rope, think again. Each usho—clad in traditional blue shirt and hat to fend off sparks and ashes from the flames—controls his own personal fotilla of 10-12 cormorants like a master puppeteer, keeping a careful eye on the birds as they plunge underwater to catch fish. When I first witnessed it in person, the comparison that came to mind was not fishing-related at all, but of my father's hunting dogs in Canada, ranging out in front of him, searching for birds to flush out of their hiding spots. With flaming lanterns, dramatic scenery and trained diving birds, it is a wonderful spectacle unlike anything you will see elsewhere in the world. But at the end of the evening, as you sit down to your lavish post-ukai meal, it ultimately comes down to the simple pleasure of catching—and eating—fish.
