Tina Chow Jewelry

Beginnings

1985

Tina Chow, a former model, restaurateur, and haute couture collector, began designing jewelry in the late 80s in Los Angeles, CA. Tina Chow. (n.d.). In Wikipedia. Retrieved February 19, 2018, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tina_Chow

Chow favored materials that were found in nature and reminiscent of her Asian heritage.

1985

Chow often sought the handiwork of experienced craftsmen in places like India, Hong Kong and Tokyo when producing her pieces. Tina Chow. (n.d.). In Wikipedia. Retrieved February 19, 2018, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tina_Chow

Bamboo

1986

Her instantly recognizable basket woven pieces always swaddle a crystal piece. This a rock crystal bracelet wrapped in bamboo. Tina Chow. (n.d.). In Wikipedia. Retrieved February 19, 2018, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tina_Chow

Rock Crystal

1986

Crystals are what make Chow's oeuvre so memorable. Working in quartz of various colors, Chow crafted each piece, be it a necklace or bangle, in styles that were reminiscent of ancient adornments. This rock crystal cuff is my personal favorite piece of hers. https://maureenorth.com/1992/04/ciao-tina/?page=0

Chow often modeled her own pieces for print

1986

Chow was a notorious perfectionist who expected her pieces to be displayed to her exacting standards. https://maureenorth.com/1992/04/ciao-tina/?page=0

Chow's jewelry was visionary for its time for the sleekness, simplicity, and craftsmanship of each piece.

1987

Pieces were thoughtfully packaged with precise handwritten instructions on the care of the jewelry's material. Packaging materials were also sourced from foreign suppliers, like the Japanese mulberry paper the instructions were written on. Tina Chow. (n.d.). In Wikipedia. Retrieved February 19, 2018, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tina_Chow

Chow's pieces were coveted by celebrities and artists, and sold at high end stores like Bergdorf Goodman.

1987

Limited amount of pieces were produced of each style of jewlery. kaitlinnshinnick. (2019, February 19). Tina Chow was a model and... [Instagram post]. Retrieved from https://www.instagram.com/BSCYnR9gmxe

Chow's work was often shot by premier fashion photographers of the era like this shot by Herb Ritts.

1988

You can see Chow's love of Art Deco reflected in many of her pieces. Orth, M. (n.d.). Ciao Tina. Retrieved from https://maureenorth.com/1992/04/ciao-tina/?page=0

By 1988, Chow had fallen ill with AIDS.

1988

Even though she created pieces until the end of her life, for the most part she had abandoned the commercial aspect of her jewelry making. Orth, M. (n.d.). Ciao Tina. Retrieved from https://maureenorth.com/1992/04/ciao-tina/?page=0

AIDS diagnosis and retreat from public life to concentrate on holistic healing for illness

Period: 1988 to 1992

Chow was one of the first female heterosexual public figures to go public with her AIDS diagnosis. During this time Chow sought the help of all manner of healthcare providers to treat her illness. Tina Chow. (n.d.). In Wikipedia. Retrieved February 19, 2018, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tina_Chow

Death in 1992 from AIDS complications

1992

Chow's legacy lives on today in the designs of modern jewelry. Her pieces routinely sell for thousands of dollars on eBay and at specialty auction houses. Chow's eye for superb construction and quality materials have made her a legend with museums and collectors for the relatively short output of her work and preciousness in which it was created. kaitlinnshinnick. (2019, February 19). Tina Chow was a model and... [Instagram post]. Retrieved from https://www.instagram.com/BSCYnR9gmxe