Atelier: P.J.

This impeccably dressed Hunan native can often be found chatting up visitors at Approx, her Nali Patio boutique. It’s a goldmine for elegant jewelry and accessories by local designers, as well as pieces from her own collections. We asked P.J. about her recent segue from jewelry to clothing design.

How’d you get into design?
I like the idea of using both your mind and your heart to create something. I have a lot of interests: art, movies, travel. With design, you can draw from all of those things.

If you could save only one piece of jewelry from a fire, what would it be?
Jewelry is the easiest thing to save, so I’d just grab a whole bunch and run! [Laughs] But no, if I had to choose, I’d go for one of my chunky necklaces.

What do you wish you’d designed but someone else already has?
In terms of brands, this year I’d talk about Givenchy. I wish I could’ve made that stuff. Big necklaces, lots to do with jewelry – it was all so beautiful.

What unexpected material would you want to work with?
This year I saw someone make huge earrings with the material used to construct planes. It’s very expensive and difficult to obtain. Gorgeous colors, though. I’d love to try it out.

Favorite jewelry trend?
Forget trends. You only ever need two types of jewelry in your collection: one that’s classic and minimalist, and another that is more complex and can make an outfit all on its own. The two work for all occasions.

When did you get involved with clothing design?
Just last year. I’d been making jewelry for two years, but I kept finding that I needed certain clothes to match my accessories. So I thought that since I’d studied design, I’d work on filling that gap.

How does designing clothing compare with jewelry?
They’re equally complicated, and require similar skills but a different kind of intuition. For both, I always try to create something that represents my inner essence, my spirit.

Approx. A301, 3/F, Nali Patio, 81 Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang District (139 1170 6284)

Click here to see the February issue of the Beijinger in full.

Photo: Judy Zhou