Thai Design x Bliss Lau: The Fairmined Gold Collaboration
- Thai Design Distributors Ltd
- Apr 1
- 4 min read
In December 2022, Thai Design was delighted to partner with New York-based jewellery designer Bliss Lau on a collection created exclusively in Fairmined Gold. A first for us here at Thai Design in a number of ways, here’s why this high-profile collaboration has gone down in our history books…
A Transparent Partnership
Bliss Lau is an eponymous fine jewellery brand whose designs are inspired by the experiences of its Founder & Creative Director, Bliss Lau. Influenced by her Chinese-American biracial heritage and growing up in Hawaii before becoming a New Yorker, Bliss often explores dualities in her designs, treading the intersections between nature and architecture.
Bliss’s one-woman company was launched in 2003 with a highly sought-after handbag collection that was sold in exclusive shops and boutiques around the world. Today, Bliss's distinctive jewellery designs are recognised across the fashion industry and have been worn by Beyoncé, Naomi Campbell, Natasha Lyonne, Rebecca Hall, Zoe Kravitz, Tessa Thompson, Christina Ricci and more.
“From the process of designing with precious metals and gemstones to the feeling you have when wearing it, I believe a piece of jewelry is more than just an object, it's an experience.”
- Bliss Lau
This collaboration is not the first time Thai Design has partnered with an accomplished designer brand. For decades, we have been supporting our clients in the development, manufacture and supply of their jewellery and giftware collections. These designs have been seen in the likes of Harrods, Liberty, Selfridges, Harvey Nichols and Sundance Film Festival.
Our partnership with Bliss Lau is unique because it's public. Client confidentiality is important to us, and by default we maintain complete exclusivity of our partners’ designs. Bliss, however, is committed to transparency, choosing to speak openly about her jewellery's manufacturing journeys. It was a great privilege for us not only to support Bliss on this project, but to share insights into our journey with you.
Working with Fairmined Gold
Fairmined Gold is sourced from artisanal and small-scale mines that meet rigorous standards in order to maintain Fairmined certification. These mines are regularly audited by third parties to ensure fair wages, safe working conditions, active community development and environmental responsibility. For us, becoming a certified Fairmined Gold supplier five years ago was a no-brainer. More than a business decision, it’s a reflection of our longstanding commitment to ethical and environmentally sustainable manufacturing.
Having grown up in the jewellery industry, our third-generation owner and Managing Director Kim understands the importance of safe and fair labour practices. As well as our dedication to enhancing the comfort, safety, and development of staff and local communities on the ground in Thailand and the UK, investing in Fairmined Gold allows us to contribute directly to the wellbeing of the artisanal mining communities at the much earlier stages of our supply chain.
Utilising her platform, Bliss Lau’s commitment to Fairmined Gold and her decision to speak openly about the people that realise her designs represents a shift towards greater accountability and transparency. With this collection she leads by example, encouraging other designers of fine jewellery and high fashion to make informed decisions about the materials they use and incorporate honest storytelling into their practices.
Bliss Lau’s Fairmined Gold Collection: The Journey
“The expression of a dream becoming reality. Our Fairmined Gold Collection is the culmination of a steadfast focus on creating conscious and traceable heirloom quality jewelry that will become part of your family's story. Designed in New York City with a minimalist adjacent aesthetic. This collection is the beginning of Bliss's vision to create jewelry that aligns with all of our values. Created with 100% 18k Fairmined Gold and SCS-certified lab diamonds in a factory that follows all fair labor, social, and environmental practices.” - Bliss Lau
The production of Bliss’s Fairmined Gold collection was both meticulous and rewarding. After finalising initial samples in August, we had just six weeks to complete the full order. Every step required careful coordination and communication. Given the complexity of the seven designs, attention to detail was paramount.
One standout piece from the collection is the Kaleidoscope Ring, an intricate design that required over a year of development due to its precise engineering. The ring features customisable locking and stacking components, and is set with 52 1mm lab-grown diamonds. Of course, we embraced the challenge, leveraging the expertise of our crafting facility to make Bliss’s vision a reality.
One particular challenge was sourcing lab-grown diamonds with the third-party Certified Sustainability Rated certification, introduced by SCS Global Services in 2022 to assure origin traceability, net-zero carbon footprint, sustainable production practices and sustainability investments. Ensuring the highest possible quality for each individual stone, then integrating them seamlessly into the designs, required time and extreme precision.
On completion of the finished pieces we also managed logistics to meet deadlines, shipping the collection to Bliss Lau’s New York studio in time for launch.
The Thai Design x Bliss Lau Fairmined Gold collaboration is a testament to what’s possible with an unfaltering commitment to transparency, ethics and high quality craftsmanship. With no compromises made in any area, we quickly delivered Bliss a standout collection of statement pieces that aligns perfectly with her ethos. To learn more about our collaboration with Bliss, you can hear our Managing Director Kim talking about the journey in the YouTube video corresponding to this blog post.
We take great pride in honouring our partners’ unique visions, particularly when they’re underpinned by the same commitment to environmental and socioeconomic sustainability that roots Thai Design. To learn more about what it means to collaborate with us, click here or get in touch.
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