Highlights
Red scions
By Gan Tian (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-09-30 10:37
They are the grandsons and granddaughters of China's top political families. But despite their privileged birth, they're carving out their own lives...
With shining eyes, tanned skin and a slim frame that seems to exude power, she has been compared to the protagonist in the Disney animation Chinese story, Mulan.
 Jewelry designer Wan Baobao is the granddaughter of former vice-premier and National People's Congress chairman Wan Li. [Feng Yongbin] |
Wan's grandfather Wan Li was former vice-premier and former chairman of the National People's Congress. Her childhood was spent in Zhongnanhai with her grandparents and parents. But Wan had little interest in politics; she was more attracted to fashion.
She is a familiar face at fashion parties, showing off her bracelets, rings and necklaces from her own brand - Hong Kong-based Bao Bao Wan Fine Jewelry.
"I'm in charge of everything connected to the brand - from design to sales," she says, holding a white-gold bracelet in her hand. Wan even tries to source each of the diamonds and precious stones used in her designs all by herself.
Pointing to the pattern of falling leaves carved in the bracelet, every inch of which is detailed in diamonds, she says: "It is more like a symbol of my brand.
"I respect all religions, and borrow ideas from all," adds Wan, holding another white-gold necklace, featuring a cross.
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"You may see them as typical Chinese jewelry, but to me, they are just memories of my childhood. I grew up in Zhongnanhai. The (falling) leaves reflect (my) feelings for Beijing's autumn. I missed them so much when I was abroad. Every time Beijing's leaves turned red, I became more mature.
"My life, my interests and my work perfectly match one another. I put all my life experiences into my designs. I use my designs to move those who love my jewelry. I don't have to do what I don't like."
Wan did not always want to be a jewelry designer. As a kid, she quite liked the idea of becoming a bus conductor, because they have "extremely beautiful bags". Later, her dream job was becoming a lawyer because they "help people".
Her interest in jewelry was sparked when she entered the world of fashion. "Jewelry design is a cross between business and art. What I am doing now is both providing beauty and helping people realize their dreams."
Even at the tender age of 5, Wan was adept at table manners, attended dinners with high officials from foreign countries, had bodyguards and could take her grandfather's special plane if she wanted to travel. However, she was never arrogant. She went to the United States alone to study French literature and photography at the age of 16. Four years later, she went to Paris to sharpen her French-language skills.
While exposure to two different cultures gave Wan a broader perspective, it also created difficulties. "It took a long time to get used to Western society, and when I came back to China, it was equally hard to adjust here."
But there was one thing upon which she never compromised. "For so many years, no matter whether I was at home or abroad, people could look down on me or laugh at me, but I never compromised when they spoke badly of my country. This is the only thing that can irritate me.
"I have always been proud of my country. When I was 8 or 9 years old (I was) in the US, and I strongly felt that this pride did not match the situation at that time. However, today I can balance them, because my country is strong and powerful. I feel, finally, this day has come," she says.
Contrary to media portrayals, thanks to her job, Wan says "material things are not important". She never chooses friends according to their backgrounds and economic status. Her best friends include Chen Man, China's top fashion photographer, and people from all walks of life, such as doctors, lawyers and writers.
Bo Guagua and Ye Mingzi (also from political families, see the other stories on the page) are also her friends. "If we didn't have these backgrounds, we would still be friends, because we understand each other," she says.
"Family background is a halo for me, but I would like people to know me more, the inner me, when they want to make friends with me. When I was young, people around me would tolerate my mistakes because of my special background. But now, I am trying hard to let them know who I really am, which can make them trust me more."
Wan belongs to the post-80s generation. "Impatience is the general weakness of the post-80s generation, including me. They want success to come easily. I hope I can overcome it through my parents' teachings, my hard work and my life experiences," she says.
However, she maintains that this generation is part of the mainstream power of China. "We have contributed a lot to efforts such as the Sichuan earthquake relief and the Olympic Games. We can be proud of ourselves."
One of Wan's family teachings is "you have to sacrifice some of your personal interests when there is a conflict between you and the community".
"Maybe other people cannot see it, but we have to. As a child in a 'red family', I have to consider my grandparents and parents. If I were a kid without this background, I would be braver," says Wan. But she knows her family's background is a boon.
"For anyone in a family like mine, all the burdens are nothing compared with the bliss. We benefit so much, not necessarily materially but mentally. It's priceless," she says.
"As a designer, I know how lucky I am. In China, if someone wants to go into the high-end jewelry design industry, he or she needs so many years of experience. But because of my family background, I have come to be noticed in such a short time. I feel so grateful.
"I do not know if I can earn an honor for my country by becoming one of the top designers in the world, but this is one of my dreams, and I am working on it."
