Visiting Master Craftsman of “Haute Joaillerie” Yves Lemay
“A custom jewelry project starts with a concept, a drawing or a picture and progresses in stages through the design and manufacturing process and culminates in a sparkling new fine jewelry creation.” says Lemay.
On a beautiful sunny afternoon, I visited the Canadian <Québec> master craftsman and jeweler, Yves Lemay’s, gorgeous Shanghainese mansion located in the outskirts of the city center. Entering the villa, I was welcomed with a beautiful garden and an immensely large staircase leading to Lemay’s workshop / atelier where I discovered the magic behind each creation; a group of craftsman meticulously working away at each small minuscule diamond to finish and polish off the ring.
For more than 5 years, Lemay’s team of skilled craftsman have been producing custom made jewelry that is inspired from the vibrant people and city of Shanghai.
Coming out from one of Canada’s most prestigious and trusted Jewellers, Maison Birks, and holding over a decade of expertise and strong ignited passion for Jewellery, Lemay has also been collaborating with international luxury brands such as Ferrari, Steffani Ricci, Cartier, Boucheron and more.
Lemay also showed a breif workshop on the art of engraving and steps, details and procedures to the creation of a custom-made piece as well as his lover for metals and armory proudly showcasing his silver engraved armour.
Designer Yves Lemay
Sunday Apéro at Lemay’s Having a sunny apéro of Monkey 47 gin tonic on Lemay’s terrace, he joyfully shares with me his expertise and passion for “Haute Joaillerie”, metal armery and his strong dedication for absolute perfection.
How did you start your passion in the world of Jewelry?
I started with a passion for armory where my dream was to create fine armory with precious jewels and metals. I studied fine jewelry in Montreal and thereafter got hired at Birks in Montreal.
Whats your daily inspiration for your creations?
My inspiration comes from a constant research for perfection, weather its from a technical aspect or aesthetic aspect, the most important thing is that inspires me is a constant research for perfection, even in the way I’ve organized the studio , the garden and how I welcome my clients.
Can you explain your recent collaboration with Monkey 47?
I met Victor (GM of Monkey 47) in 2012 where I started to created the Monkey ring to create pins which grew in a long term relationship. Victor has also helped my sponsor major parties I’ve held here which have ended in a tremendous success.My inspiration for the creation of the Monkey ring comes from the bottles etiquette and its 47 key elements, specifically the pine cones. You can see on the lines of the pine cones on the boarder of the ring which I’ve represented from a-z on each side of the Monkey ring. I believe this is very distinctive element of the brand.
How is your opinion on the Chinese market for Jewelry?
The market is definitely big in China, however the biggest challenge comes down to a question of trust. It’s been 10 years that I’m in China pushing my brand where I’m getting positive WOM on the quality of my services and my products where my reputation has become quite solid in Shanghai. I hope that in the future I will receive more Chinese clients who recognize the quality and authenticity of my products.
Clients trust is important as well as getting to know them where creating custom made jewelry is highly based on the clients emotions, according to their tastes, personal feelings and wishes, I try to bring a dream intro reality through my work of arts to create a truly lasting memory that can transcend through time and generations.
A personal <Styling> question, if you needed to do an accessory for me, what type and style would you choose ( this is not a trap question ;) )
For you I wouldn’t go for a bracelet or a ring, I’d go for a pair of earrings instead. You have nice facial features where I’d imagine that with rose gold < a special gold> with orangy pink diamonds < not just pink to avoid to much femininity> as well as adding small miligrains like in the antique jewelry would make your face stand out even more. I think this would be great!