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The versatile “As We Are” collection features 14 pieces with interlocking designs allowing for 27 different looks worn around the body.
Many pieces throughout Lau’s “As We Are” collection are interchangeable for customization. Seen here are the “Nuance” chain huggie hoops ($2,320) styled with the black jade “Vantage” curios ($2,195).
New York—Bliss Lau, founder and designer of her eponymous brand, has launched her “As We Are” collection.
It is named after the Anaïs Nin quote, “We don’t see things as they are, we see them as we are,” which to Lau meant, “how we approach the world is shaped by our own experiences, emotions, and feelings.”
Lau added, “At the same time, we’re also constantly being perceived by others. So, there’s this duality and tension between our perceptions of ourselves and how others see us, and it’s easy to get stuck there.”
Inspired by this revelation, Lau opted to work with materials she says invite the wearer to embrace the rich complexity of their identity.
The collection features black and lavender Mayan jade from Guatemala, alongside Brazilian emerald, Tasmanian spinel, natural and lab-grown diamonds, 18-karat yellow gold, and platinum.
Jade, a gemstone said to have healing properties and association with ancient wisdom, is a reminder that journeys aren’t linear, explained Lau, but rather an interplay of past, present, and future.
To Lau, jade is a gemstone that is intended to take a full lifecycle with us, and in Mayan culture it represents eternity.
“As part of Chinese culture, I wore jade bracelets as an infant, now as an adult, I wear my black jade ‘Vantage’ curio/pendulum daily,” said Lau.
It is named after the Anaïs Nin quote, “We don’t see things as they are, we see them as we are,” which to Lau meant, “how we approach the world is shaped by our own experiences, emotions, and feelings.”
Lau added, “At the same time, we’re also constantly being perceived by others. So, there’s this duality and tension between our perceptions of ourselves and how others see us, and it’s easy to get stuck there.”
Inspired by this revelation, Lau opted to work with materials she says invite the wearer to embrace the rich complexity of their identity.
The collection features black and lavender Mayan jade from Guatemala, alongside Brazilian emerald, Tasmanian spinel, natural and lab-grown diamonds, 18-karat yellow gold, and platinum.
Jade, a gemstone said to have healing properties and association with ancient wisdom, is a reminder that journeys aren’t linear, explained Lau, but rather an interplay of past, present, and future.
To Lau, jade is a gemstone that is intended to take a full lifecycle with us, and in Mayan culture it represents eternity.
“As part of Chinese culture, I wore jade bracelets as an infant, now as an adult, I wear my black jade ‘Vantage’ curio/pendulum daily,” said Lau.
The “Nuance” hoop huggie earrings ($2,700) in 18-karat yellow gold styled with the “Vantage” curio featuring 3.2 carats of Guatemalan black jade and pavé diamonds ($2,195)
The “Open” necklace in platinum showcasing two kinetic beams of hand-carved Mayan lavender jade totaling 11 carats ($3,800)
The “Vantage” curio ($2,650) with a 3-carat Brazilian emerald and pavé diamonds is a pendant that can be placed on the necklaces or earrings in the “As We Are” collection. Here it is styled on a cable chain.
The “Vantage” ear cuff in 18-karat yellow gold with a 1.25-carat Brazilian cabochon emerald ($1,600)
The “Brevity” bangle made of black Nephrite jade and 18-karat yellow gold ($8,000)
The “Nuance” chain huggie earrings in 18-karat yellow gold ($2,320)
The “Open” necklace with 12.85 carats of Guatemalan black jade set in 18-karat yellow gold ($2,490)
The “Brevity” pendant in 18-karat yellow gold with Mayan lavender jade and pavé lab-grown diamonds ($2,840)
Just as she did in her past collections, Lau started As We Are with a question.
This time, she looked to her love of modern dance when considering how to create movement in a collection of jewelry.
Throughout this collection, there are 14 pieces, but they can be interchanged to create about 27 different looks.
Lau started developing the idea of interlocking designs to create movement with her “Kaleidoscope” ring.
The piece has been foundational to her design style, with one ring comprised of four moveable parts that the wearer can change each day, multiplying their jewelry wardrobe.
For the As We Are collection, she took this idea and translated it to pieces that can move around the body.
There are jade curios and pendants that can elevate a pair of hoops or be added onto a necklace.
“For me, it’s all about movement and play. I’ll wear the ‘Nuance’ earrings with one black jade ‘Brevity’ curio hanging from it—I love asymmetry in my style,” said Lau.
“Since I always wear my ‘Halo’ necklace, I can easily move the ‘Brevity’ curio from the earrings to the necklace, if I feel I want to bring focus or energy to my neck.”
The full As We Are collection launched on Jan. 22.
It retails for $1,500 to $6,450, with pieces sold separately and as styled sets.
The complete collection is available in store and on Bliss Lau’s website, with a selection also available on the Marissa Collections website and at Shop No. 3 online and in store.
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