COLLECTION
THE SIGNATURE GOLD COLOUR OF CHANEL
COLLECTION
The Haute Joaillerie SPORT Collection celebrates the sports style of CHANEL, anchored in the House’s history since the 1920s. An unprecedented encounter between two worlds where elegance and excellence prevail. Designed to become one with the wearer, each jewellery creation expresses the contours of an allure according to CHANEL—that of a woman always on the move.
The private equity yogi shaking up the fine jewellery market
In her mid-30s, private equity investor Jiani Zhang is already semi-retired and determined not to stagnate.
“I will never fully retire, but I’ve halved my workload and enjoy my leisure time. I don’t want to get too relaxed, so I’m using that time to build something.”
Experience investing in venture capital funds instilled a fascination and deep respect for entrepreneurs, so she joined their ranks set on building a successful top-down business from scratch – one that would combine her dual interests.
“Art and finance – that’s my combo,” says Zhang, who boasts degrees in both. “When I ran an art fund, the auction house’s jewellery room was next to the art room. I loved going in and seeing all the beautiful pieces, so I started investing. It soon became my passion.”
The Shanghai-born, Geneva-based, globetrotting multihyphenate has actualised that passion into two fine jewellery brands shaking up the Australian market, Ele4orce and Vuoi.
“Mother company” Ele4orce came first, offering made-to-order high-end pieces designed and hand-crafted by gifted artisans in Sydney. The brand’s name reflects Zhang’s love of nature and the metaphysical, as do collections such as Earth, Air, Fire, Water, Balance, and Eternity.
“I’m very much a yogi,” she says. “I’m into vibrations and inspired by the elements, and I wanted to bring them together in the name and the work.”
Ele4orce is a multi-channel operation. At its core, it is a made-to-order range available online or by appointment in the brand’s Sydney showroom.
A concierge service provides advice in-person or on Zoom and can facilitate bespoke commissions from elite European designers and luxury houses like Cartier and Tiffany’s. It can also source or help clients source ethical diamonds and gemstones (mostly emeralds, sapphires, and rubies) from trusted dealers, auction houses, or “from the very source”: direct from mines.
Ele4orce’s Eastern Suburbs Sydney-skewed, mostly female clients may be from diverse backgrounds, but all tend to be savvy investors who know their stones. Whether buying for personal use or as an investment, they know what they want, when they want it and how long to hold onto it.
For those buying for investment, the concierge service can coordinate sourcing, storage and resale. Rare precious stones, particularly diamonds, offer a higher-risk, higher-yield alternative to boring, stable gold, especially if you can get your hands on one of the 200 argyle pink diamonds known to exist.
“They are our most requested stone but near impossible to find,” says Zhang. “One family owns 130 of them!”
Launched only two years ago, Ele4orce’s “little sister company”, Vuoi, is a different, equally chic beast. Named as a nod to Zhang’s Swiss-French surroundings, the brand offers ready-to-wear jewellery that blurs the lines between fine and fashion for a younger, more adventurous market.
“If Ele4orce is a refined, sophisticated woman,” says Zhang. “Then Vuoi is her cheeky, rebellious sibling. She’s a free spirit who knows exactly who she is and what she wants. She follows her heart and goes with the flow, knowing life’s too short not to relish the present and dance to the beat of your own drum.”
“Is she based on someone in particular?” I ask.
“Me!” she says, laughing. “I’m trying to pump my creative DNA into both brands, but Vuoi gives me and our customers more space to play and have fun.”
This sense of playfulness is evident in Vuoi’s edgier designs without sacrificing the elegance of the Ele4orce brand. Crafted from a minimum of 14K gold, Vuoi’s price points are less aspirational than its big sister’s, largely because of slightly lower-grade gemstones. Not that you can tell.
Always innovating, Zhang also recently launched Vuoi Prestige, a new channel allowing clients to play more and express themselves by mixing and matching the gemstones in existing ready-to-wear designs.
Vuoi’s original products are available on the brand’s website, but there is now a dedicated concept store in Sydney’s Double Bay for customers who want to try them before they buy. Zhang believes Vuoi is a scalable model, and with plans to roll out stores in at least three more cities across the country, she’s keen to test this theory post haste.
“I am determined to lead the Australian jewellery industry,” she says, dead serious. “I know that’s very ambitious, but I like a challenge.”
The private equity yogi shaking up the fine jewellery market
The private equity yogi shaking up the fine jewellery market
Ele4orce Fine Jewellery Ele4orce fine jewellery is a Sydney based, fine jewellery business, focusing on the premium quality of handpicked gemstones, ethical materials and top craftsmanship. Seen here is their Amphitrite Ring featuring natural blue sapphires and eye-catching diamonds. ele4orce.com
Follow them on Instagram @ele4orcejewellery
GQ – March 2022
Eleчorce is a Sydney-based brand that uses high- quality materials such as hand-picked gem stones and ethically sourced gold, along with advanced craftsmanship to create an elegant and unique range of pieces perfect for any occasion. Inspired by the four natural elements: earth, air, fire and water, Eleчorce’s collection ‘The Alchemy of Ele4orce’ attracts a balance of energies for the wearer. Follow them on Instagram @ele4orcejewellery $1,290 eleчorce.com
ASTRAEA DOUBLE LEATHER CHOKER BRACELET BY ELE4ORCE
Sydney-based fine jewellery brand Eleчorce uses high-quality materials such as handpicked gem stones and ethically sourced gold along with advanced craftsmanship to create an elegant and unique range of pieces perfect for any occasion. Eleчorce’s collection ‘The Alchemy of Ele4orce’ is inspired by the four natural elements and attracts a balance of energies for the wearer. Follow them on Instagram @ele4orcejewellery
$1,290 ele4orce.com
Glamour – Jan 2022
The Venus Collection by Ele4orce Jewellery
The Venus Collection by Ele4orce encapsulates freedom and independence, all in its pure untouched beauty. It is inspired by the goddess of love and beauty, born out of the white foam of the sea in a seashell. The pieces are also inspired by water, which is constantly flowing and waving, with much of its activity happening below the surface. ele4orce.com
Collection by Eleчorce
Eleчorce fine jewellery is a Sydney-based fine jewellery business, focusing on the premium quality of handpicked gem stones, ethically sourced gold, and top craftsmanship. Their most recent collection, The Alchemy of Ele4orce, has been
inspired by the ancient four elements: air, water, fire and earth. These pieces capture elegance, beauty and balance. ele4orce.com
Follow them on Instagram @eleчorcejewellery
Glamour – Jan 2022
The Venus Collection by Ele4orce Jewellery
The Venus Collection by Ele4orce encapsulates freedom and independence, all in its pure untouched beauty. It is inspired by the goddess of love and beauty, born out of the white foam of the sea in a seashell. The pieces are also inspired by water, which is constantly flowing and waving, with much of its activity happening below the surface. ele4orce.com
