Through a piece of jewellery, one can experience the designer’s feelings and mood, design ideas, philosophy of life, or the culture and art behind it. For Okurado, its delicate fine jewellery explicitly unfolds the nature beauty of Japan.
Founded by the company’s president Hitoshi Okura in 2009, Okurado produces nature- inspired jewellery designs with the Japanese sense of aesthetics, and is dedicated to the creation of high-end jewellery combining traditional Japanese arts with modern materials and techniques. Hitoshi Okura told Hong Kong Jewellery that western or European design style has made a great impact on Japanese jewellery design, while he recognised that western people favour Japanese arts a lot when he studied jewellery design in Paris. Therefore, he decided to present oriental style and aesthetics by jewellery which features Japan’s nature beauty.
Among the motifs of Okurado’s jewellery are flowers, leaves, and other elements of nature made in yellow or white gold, platinum, titanium, or stainless steel fitting into specific design ideas. To make a difference at the market where nature motifs are commonly used, Okura said that it is the craftsmanship that sets Okurado apart from others. “Japanese craftsmen are good at delicate manufacturing. We use thin metals, exquisite modelling, high polishing and high quality materials that make us feel beauty and strain in our jewellery,” he added. One of the most distinguished techniques they use is the traditional Japanese lacquer technique adding each piece of jewellery from Okurado a colourful twist. In some of the jewels traditional red lacquer is applied directly on metal.
Hitoshi Okura’s father Tsunemitsu Okura founded Tokyo-based Atelier Maillet D’Or which made crowns for Japanese royal family in 2003, 2005 and 2010, with almost 50 years of history specialised in handmade high-end and bespoke jewellery. Used to work in Atelier Maillet D’Or, Hitoshi Okura is profoundly aware of the importance of craftsmanship in jewellery design and making. He revealed that Okurado’s veteran manufacturing team produces jewellery from the beginning to the end with no division of labour. It is a crucial way to let every craftsman make their pieces and keep their individual techniques and design characteristics with a sense of responsibility, he explained.
According to Okura, the company’s first work was the Mimasu collection in collaboration with the famed Kabuki actor in Japan − Danjuro Ichikawa XII. The jewellery was given as a present to the then Prince Albert of Monaco by Danjuro Ichikawa XII. In addition to the high class clientele at local market, Okurado has partnered with Hong Kong-based Frank & Label (FAL), a company that represents international fine jewellery designers in China. “FAL has extensive knowledge on China market and its customer preferences. Knowing market is vital in the jewellery industry,” he said.
Targeted at customers who prefer high-quality jewellery with sophisticated craftsmanship, Hitoshi Okura said that Okurado will put more emphasis on promoting the brand to China customers for future development. What’s more, they will continue to look for new materials and manufacturing techniques in discussion with the production team. This continuity makes them progress in this ever-changing market where the way people feel beauty remains unchanged, he projects. (Photo courtesy: Okurado)
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