Picking jewels

A young Chinese designer discovers the value of her own culture while studying the lives of Vivien Westwood and Alexander McQueen, Sun Yuanqing reports.

Octavia Yang is not someone you would expect to be the "Lady Gaga-style designer", as described by the European media. Yang is cheerful and humble, personal traits that differ from her jewelry, known to be bold and funky.

The first Chinese to win the Swarovski Elements Jewelry Award of International Talent Support, an international acknowledgment for young talents, Yang is probably one of the best prepared young designers to start on her own.