This Christmas season, elevate your gifting with a touch of cultural heritage and spiritual energy through Chantel Shafie’s latest jewellery collection, The Eternal Dragon Collection. Blending her Anglo-Persian background with a deep immersion in Hong Kong’s rich culture, Shafie has created a range of powerful, feng shui-inspired pieces that resonate with meaning, beauty, and tradition.
A Designer with a Global Perspective
Chantel Shafie, a jewellery designer with a unique cultural perspective, is known for her innovative approach to the craft. Having spent the last two decades in Hong Kong, Shafie has cultivated a profound connection to the region’s cultural and artistic heritage. Unlike many contemporary jewellery designers, Shafie focuses on reviving ancient jewellery-making techniques and celebrating cultural symbolism that has long been overshadowed by mass production.
Shafie’s design philosophy revolves around preserving traditional arts while promoting craftsmanship. For her, it’s essential to stay true to her roots while simultaneously respecting the heritage of the region. She aims to bridge the gap between past and present, infusing modern luxury with timeless cultural significance. “My work is all about integrating the wisdom and heritage of different cultures, particularly the Chinese traditions that Hong Kong embodies,” Shafie reflects.
The Birth of the Signature Medallion Collection
The journey of Chantel Shafie’s brand began during the pandemic, when she transitioned from creating bespoke, private jewellery to building a fully realised brand. Her first collection, the Signature Medallion Collection, marked this pivotal shift. Featuring vintage 22-karat gold coins, Shafie set them into diamond-encrusted medallions. These medallions were designed to be worn alone or stacked, making them both versatile and timeless.
Shafie’s Chinese Zodiac Series followed naturally from the medallion collection. Drawing on the rich symbolism of the Chinese zodiac, she used Hong Kong coins depicting the zodiac animals. Each coin was carefully selected to represent the different years of the lunar calendar, with many customers requesting coins that corresponded to their birth years. Through Instagram, Shafie began to build an engaged following, with fans reserving coins and requesting specific zodiac animals. The concept of turning these coins into wearable jewellery quickly caught on.
However, as the demand grew, Shafie found it increasingly difficult to source the necessary zodiac coins. “The availability of these coins is extremely limited, especially the ones with the zodiac animals,” she says. “I had to buy up every available coin, and most of them are now sold out, with waiting lists for many of the zodiac animals.” The Year of the Dragon coins, in particular, were highly sought after, with both Asian and Western customers eager to tap into the mythical and powerful energy of the dragon.
The Scarcity of the Dragon and the Genesis of The Eternal Dragon Collection
The scarcity of these coins led to Shafie’s next big idea: creating a new collection that would continue to celebrate the power of the dragon and the auspiciousness of the lunar zodiac. This vision culminated in the Eternal Dragon Collection, which features a mix of new designs that embody the strong symbolism of the dragon.
Shafie’s latest pieces, launched just this month, reflect her growing desire to create jewellery that is both beautiful and spiritually meaningful. She sat down with me at the Salisterra restaurant in Hong Kong’s The Upper House to showcase the new designs and explain her inspiration behind the collection. “I wanted to create something that reflected my deep respect for the culture here and the community that has given me so much,” Shafie shared.
The designs in the Eternal Dragon Collection merge aspects of Shafie’s multicultural background with her passion for Chinese culture. “Coming from such a diverse cultural background, I’ve always been fascinated by the many layers of meaning found in food, fashion, and religion. This collection is a celebration of that, combining the spiritual essence of Chinese symbols with my own personal experiences,” she said.
Symbolism and Spirituality: The Feng Shui Influence
At the heart of Shafie’s new collection is the powerful dragon—an auspicious symbol in Chinese culture that represents strength, prosperity, and good fortune. In her designs, the dragon is often depicted holding a pearl, which is traditionally believed to bring wealth and success. However, Shafie takes this concept further by replacing the traditional pearl with a diamond, amplifying the energy and elegance of the piece.
The coins used in the collection are symbolic of heaven and Earth, with the circular shape representing heaven and the square hole in the center symbolizing Earth. This design is thought to attract wealth, abundance, and protection against evil spirits. On the reverse side of the coins, Shafie incorporates motifs of auspicious clouds, which signify good fortune, spiritual growth, and positive energy. Together, these elements create a dynamic energy in the pieces that is said to bring protection, success, and prosperity to the wearer.
Shafie worked closely with local artisans to ensure that all cultural elements were accurately represented. These artisans, who have profoundly impacted her work, helped guide her in the creation of pieces that are both beautiful and culturally appropriate. Despite occasional language barriers, Shafie’s collaboration with these craftsmen has been an invaluable source of knowledge. One of the pivotal moments in the development of her designs came when Shafie met with a feng shui master, who introduced her to the powerful symbolism behind the lunar zodiac animals—particularly the dragon.
The feng shui master not only confirmed the appropriateness of the dragon in the collection but also suggested the inclusion of the dragon pearl and auspicious clouds. After these discussions, Shafie was inspired to sketch the initial designs, incorporating these elements into the final pieces.
The Fusion of Tradition and Modern Luxury
Through the Eternal Dragon Collection, Chantel Shafie has succeeded in creating a line of jewellery that reflects both the cultural heritage of Hong Kong and the elegance of modern luxury. Each piece is a careful balance of traditional symbolism and contemporary design, making them perfect for those looking for more than just beautiful jewellery—they are looking for meaning, energy, and empowerment.
In a world where mass production and commercialism often overshadow craftsmanship, Shafie’s work stands out for its commitment to preserving cultural traditions. Through her jewellery, she has brought to life the rich stories of the Chinese zodiac, creating pieces that not only look stunning but also carry profound spiritual significance.
For those seeking a special gift this Christmas, Shafie’s Eternal Dragon Collection offers the perfect blend of luxury and meaning. Whether you are drawn to the power of the dragon, the symbolism of the zodiac, or simply the beauty of the jewellery itself, this collection promises to be a treasured addition to any collection.
The Future of Chantel Shafie’s Jewellery
As Chantel Shafie continues to push boundaries and explore new cultural and artistic influences, it’s clear that her work will remain at the forefront of the jewellery world. Her commitment to cultural integration, craftsmanship, and spiritual symbolism ensures that each piece she creates is not just an accessory but a powerful statement.
With the Eternal Dragon Collection, Shafie has proven that jewellery can be more than just ornamental—it can be a vehicle for personal transformation and cultural connection. As her brand continues to grow, one can only imagine the exciting new designs and collections she will unveil in the future.
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