Some trips are about relaxation. Others are about discovery. My recent journey to Hong Kong was very much the latter.

Since I’m born and raised in Denmark, I’m profoundly more Danish, and the search for design inspiration in Hong Kong was also a personal journey to better understand the place my family is from.

SYMBOLS AND STORIES

Hong Kong is a city of contrasts. Traditional temples stand quietly among towering glass skyscrapers, while small family-run businesses exist alongside some of the world's most prestigious luxury brands. 

Here, ancient traditions and modern innovation live side by side.

One of the things that fascinated me most was how symbolism continues to play a visible role in everyday life. Whether in temples, traditions, or jewellery, objects often carry meanings that go far beyond their practical or decorative purpose.

In Denmark, where religion and spiritual beliefs rarely play a central role in everyday life, I was fascinated by how many people visited the temple to seek guidance, good fortune, peace, or a connection with their ancestors.

Inside the Man Mo Temple, worshippers buy delicate gold leaves and gently place them on different parts of the deer, each gesture carrying a wish or blessing for a specific aspect of their lives.

• Horns: Academic success, including studies and exams
• Face: Career growth and success in finding a job
• Stomach: Wealth, prosperity, and business success
• Legs: A happy family life and a harmonious marriage
• Back: Good health and overall well-being for you and your loved ones

Experiences like this made me realise how deeply symbolism is woven into Chinese culture. As someone working with jewellery, I became increasingly aware of how objects are often valued not only for their beauty, but also for the meaning they carry.

In Chinese culture, jade has been valued for thousands of years. It is not only decorative, but also symbolic, moral, and even spiritual. Carvings turn jade into a “carrier” of meaning, where each symbol adds a layer of intention,  like a visual blessing.

For instance a dragon represents power, authority, success, and strength.

BETWEEN SIMPLICITY AND DETAILS

Hong Kong presented a different perspective from the Danish design values of simplicity, balance, and space. Here, I found richness, symbolism, and intricate detail woven into everyday life. The visual language felt more layered and expressive. Rather than removing elements to achieve simplicity, there is often a greater appreciation for adding meaning through detail.

These are two very different ways of seeing the world, and my ambition is to design something that combines the strengths of both, which often feels like mission impossible, but it's a challenge worth pursuing.

DISCOVERING THE JEWELLERY DISTRICT
HUNG HOM

One of the highlights of my trip was visiting Hung Hom, an area well known within the jewellery industry.

Walking through the district felt a little like stepping behind the curtain of the jewellery world. It is not an obvious or particularly fancy neighbourhood, but you can sense that the entire area revolves around jewellery.

Many jewellers, gemstone suppliers, manufacturers, and industry professionals are hiding in these tall commercial buildings. Most companies operate a Hong Kong office here, while production is often carried out in mainland China or, in the case of gemstones, often in India.

I visited a stone supplier and spent time exploring an extraordinary variety of gemstones they had in stock. 

I often gravitate towards clean settings and understated elegance. Looking at stones through the lens of a more Chinese influenced design encouraged me to open my mind to bead bracelets and necklaces again.

• What if a gemstone became the centrepiece of a more elaborate narrative?
• What if symbolism, texture, and ornamentation played a larger role? 

These questions stayed with me long after I left. My challenge:

• How can I make something so common as a bead bracelet into something uniquely Kanqvist?

WHAT I'M TAKING WITH ME

What stayed with me after this journey was not a single idea, but a shift in perspective. Hong Kong revealed a way of seeing the world where meaning is layered into everything, through symbolism, detail, and everyday rituals, while Denmark continues to remind me of the strength found in clarity, restraint, and simplicity.

In that sense, this journey was not just about finding inspiration in Hong Kong, but about redefining how I want to design moving forward: grounded in simplicity, yet enriched by meaning.

WHAT'S FOR LUNCH?

While I was in the neighbourhood, I aimlessly wandered around and found this cute passage known as The Vantage Row where I settled for lunch at Dozy Cafe.