Leta Ng brings her polished poise to balancing beauty, bridging cultures and the Venice Biennale

Leta Ng has just finished her hair and makeup when we step into her suite at the Grand Hyatt. The celebrated Hong Kong-based Singapore-born jewellery designer is adjusting a lighter shade of hosiery that doesn’t quite match her outfit; a detail most wouldn’t notice, but Ng is all about precision. Sunny afternoon light spills through the window, casting a gentle glow on her flawless features. Today, she’s dressed in a fully embroidered, beaded gown that whispers luxury, accessorised with a vintage watch, a striking necklace and earrings that could tell stories of centuries.

Ng is poised, yet her energy radiates a playful confidence. As she adjusts her hair absentmindedly, we realise this is someone who embodies the art of meticulousness, someone for whom every detail matters, and yet, she radiates effortless grace.

Jewels of Inspiration

Growing up, young Leta’s world was filled with glamour and creativity. “My parents always encouraged creativity,” she recalls. “But my greatest inspiration was my uncle, the renowned artist Jimmy Lin Chong.” The Taiwanese actor, who passed away last summer, would design exquisite party and evening dresses for his young nieces, sparking her love for aesthetics. “I loved drawing from a young age,” she shares, eyes twinkling. “Winning a kindergarten prize for a cat drawing felt like the start of everything.”

Her childhood memories are a mosaic of art and glamour, woven through her upbringing. These early influences laid the foundation for her passion. She emphasises how being surrounded by beauty and artistry from an early age made her view the world through a creative lens. It wasn’t just about aesthetics; it was about storytelling, identity and self-expression.

Her nomadic childhood, living in Singapore, Canada, Belgium, Bermuda and beyond, further shaped her perspective. “Each culture I’ve experienced has added unique styles and traditions to my creative toolbox,” she explains. “My work naturally becomes a bridge; mixing, translating and creating something new that feels both fresh and deeply familiar.”

From Finance to Finery

Ng’s journey was anything but linear, though. She chose to study finance and investment, a training that now informs her design process. “I blend artistic vision with analytical discipline,” she explains. “It’s about balancing beauty with structure, ensuring each piece is both stunning and enduring.”

 “Life’s journey is full of joyful surprises,” she admits. “Trading financial spreadsheets for gemstones was a twist of fate. But it made sense, as precision is everything. In finance, a decimal point changes everything; in gemmology, a fraction of a millimetre transforms how light dances within a stone.”

Her lifelong passion for gemstones was reignited when her husband, Paul Lau, then Legal Director, Europe of GE Capital, was posted to Belgium. Antwerp’s legacy as the diamond-cutting capital of the world drew her into a new realm, one of sparkle, precision and age-old craft. She pursued formal studies at GIA and the HK Institute of Gemmology, deepening her understanding of the stones she now crafts into art.

Crafting Conversations

Ng’s jewellery is renowned for its boldness and innovation. Unapologetically expressive and fiercely authentic, it is meant to empower the wearer. “Every piece tells a story,” she affirms. “My collections are built on a simple truth: you are one of a kind.”

Her early ‘Big, Bold and Beautiful’ collection in 2012-13 epitomised this philosophy. “It was about confidence in oneself,” she affirms. “A modern classic rooted in heritage and earth.” Jadeite carved into statement pieces, set with diamonds and semi-precious stones, became her signature. The choice of jadeite is no accident. “Beyond its beauty, jadeite carries centuries of belief in luck, healing and protection,” she notes.

The ‘Blossoms of Joy’ collection was inspired by the delicate fleeting beauty of natural blooms. “Joy in the natural world,” she states. “A poetic whisper of fleeting beauty.” Her ‘Love is Ultimate’ collection, crafted in trinity gold – white, yellow and rose – symbolises faith, hope and love. “Love is the greatest gift,” she emphasises. “From confidence to intimacy, these collections deepen and expand the celebration of beauty, connecting the physical, emotional and spiritual.”

Weaving Heritage into Modernity

Travel is a vital part of Ng’s creative process. “Travel sparks my creativity,” she says. “Immersing myself in local art and traditions gives me a rich palette of techniques, symbols and aesthetics.” She reinterprets ancient motifs, be they from the emerald kingdoms of Colombia, the exotic orient of Istanbul, or the Byzantine isles of Greece, blending them into contemporary designs that honour heritage while embracing innovation.

To Ng, jewellery is both art and investment. “The artistic value lies in the uniqueness of the design, the heritage behind each piece, and the craftsmanship,” she explains. “As an investment, the quality of gemstones and metals matters most.” She favours the exclusivity of one-of-a-kind pieces, which “makes them precious, both in value and sentiment”.

Her approach is rooted in passion. “My artistic voice always leads,” she affirms. “Commercial sense informs but never dictates. I create for the love of beauty and craft, trusting that passion will find its audience.” For newcomers to jewellery design, she advocates gaining formal gemmological knowledge, studying auction trends and consulting experts.

Art, Culture and Community

Ng’s role as Vice-Chair of the Friends of the Hong Kong Museum of Art underscores her belief in art’s power to foster community. “A gemstone is a canvas, and design is the artistry,” she reflects. “A finished piece is a story of culture, worn close to the heart.” She sees jewellery and art as vessels of collective memory, tangible links to heritage, identity and shared values.

Exemplifying her dedication to elevating Hong Kong’s cultural presence, she is involved in the Hong Kong exhibition for May’s Venice Biennale, which the Hong Kong Museum of Art is co-organising. “Supporting this milestone is about showcasing Hong Kong’s artistic journey,” she shares. “It’s exciting to be part of a global dialogue that celebrates our city’s creative spirit.”

Looking ahead, she is eager to explore new collections and collaborations. “I want to push boundaries and celebrate individuality,” she states. Her personal definitions of happiness and success have evolved. “Fulfilment and purpose are key,” she says softly. “Having navigated different chapters, I now find joy in giving back to the community that gave me so much. Hong Kong has been my home for over 18 years, [thus] I choose to invest my time and energy back into this vibrant city.”

Ng’s membership in La Confrérie de la Chaîne des Rôtisseurs underscores her appreciation for culinary culture. “It’s about fellowship, excellence and service,” she explains. Her father-in-law, Dato Lau Foo Sun, was the founder Bailli Délégué (president) of the association’s Malaysian chapter, and she upholds the Lau family heritage of conviviality and shared passion.

Parting Reflections

Before leaving, we share a leisurely high tea, discussing pastries, motherhood and life’s puzzles. “Motherhood, it keeps puzzling me,” admits the mum of 1, Katarina, smiling. “It’s a very complex job, but a very rewarding one, definitely.”

Humour is her secret weapon; during the shoot, she tries goofy poses, laughs at herself, and admits she’s not a fan of public speaking. “I apologise, really,” she deadpans. “I will never get used to talking in front of a camera.”

Her eyes, her expressions, her laughter – these are her true bling, revealing a soul that is as rich and layered as her jewellery designs. Leta Ng is a luminous example of how art, humanity and authenticity can intertwine. And as she would say, with a wink and a smile, “Keep shining, and never forget to enjoy the bling.”

Interview, Text & Art Direction: Joseff Musa   Photographer: Jack Law   Videographer: Iris Ventura