Eastern Romance by Sounder Wang

• Please give us a short introduction of yourself and the brand.

SOUNDERWANG draws inspiration from the beauty of the East and seeks to blend and reshape it with contemporary culture. By contemplating what Eastern women might wear in the future, the brand attempts to explore the subtle relationship between the body and the items worn. Each piece of jewellery carries the stories that unfold in different environments and the individual consciousness of the wearer. Series like "Meru Mountain," "Asura," "Heavenly Scroll," "Ruyi," and "Gui Xu" reinterpret mythological figures, scenes, and objects. They incorporate new materials and design elements to create a cool and Chinese-style form of romanticism.

• What was the opportunity that led to the establishment of the brand?

After graduating from the Birmingham School of Jewellery in 2018, the designer Song Wang received press coverage in Wallpaper magazine. Subsequently, the brand was invited to participate in London Fashion Week and, within three months, launched the first season of the 3D printed resin series "INSECURE". At that time, the concept of design involving the collision of metal and transparent materials and its versatility was pioneering. The brand also participated in Shanghai Fashion Week in the same year, and through coverage on the Chinese version of the WGSN fashion trend website, it opened up the Chinese market. It was a series of opportunities that led to the establishment of the brand, and the name "Sounder Wang" was chosen to represent personal growth and memories.

• As Chinese designers with background of studying abroad, were there any challenges you have encountered when developing the domestic market in China?

The development of e-commerce in China is extremely rapid, with frequent innovations and even seasons changing quickly. Transitioning from an academic setting to the business world, and from the Western market to the Chinese market, each step has been a significant shift. The trends are constantly changing, and both the designer and the brand have been continuously learning to keep pace with the times.

• What inspires your design?

Many product names are derived from the "Classic of Mountains and Seas" ("Shan Hai Jing"). Now, Sonder Wang release 1-2 new series that are related to traditional Chinese culture every year, while the rest of the series are developed based on the trends in the market. For instance, the new series includes a bamboo necklace, which is inspired by traditional Chinese paintings and is presented in the form of a scroll. Enamel craftsmanship is used to depict the form of bamboo, the matte gold texture serves as the canvas and soft metal woven chain is used as a connection.

• Please introduce the new collection and highlights what sets it apart from the previous seasons?

The "Gui Xu" series is also inspired by the "Classic of Mountains and Seas," specifically the valley without a bottom in the sea. The term gave the designer a lot of room for imagination and inspired her creativity. Life can manifest in many different ways, and there is no end at the Gui Xu. In this period, experiencing the changes brought by the pandemic has led to some expectations regarding the cycle of life. This series uses a combination of gold and silver to represent the cycle of reincarnation, and it incorporates textures that resemble wrinkling and erosion to depict this state.

• What expectations do you have for the future development of the brand?

In the future, the brand will continue to engage in more research and development related to Chinese traditional culture and present it through contemporary visual expressions. The aim is to create products that can be worn in people's everyday lives.

• Please use three words to describe SOUNDER WANG.

Futuristic oriental, edgy, ethereal 

• Why did you choose to pursue the Modern Chinese style?

At Song Wang first established the brand, she was not certain about the main motif and is constantly looking for inspiration. After years of exploring, she is in love with the Modern Chinese style, and she believes her designs became more meaningful with the infusion of culture.

 

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