We chatted with Payal Shah, an Indian designer with a series of businesses who was born and raised in Hong Kong. If you have a look at Payal’s Instagram, you will be amazed by her glamorous Indian traditional dresses and chic style. Payal has a BA in Architecture Design from the University of Westminster, London, and Interior Design from Inchbald, London. This week she shares her unique beauty sense and her life philosophy with us.
1) Can you tell us more about yourself and your background?
I am an Indian who has grown up and was raised in Hong Kong. I have a BA in Architecture Design from the University of Westminster, London. I also have a diploma in Interior Design from Inchbald, London. Jewelry was something I was passionate about and self-taught myself from a young age. It was initially part of my DNA as I use to create custom pieces for myself as my parents deal in diamonds and precious stones. Once I was back from university in 2010, I worked in a hospitality design firm for a year. During my spare time, I would go to my parent’s office and help assort stones and put aside the stones that excited me. I would then go and sketch design ideas on how I’d like to set those pieces and get the pieces made for myself to wear.
2) What inspires you to start your own brands?
I would always get complimented on the pieces I would design for myself and occasionally get asked if I would sell the pieces I would be wearing. I use to attend the Jewellery Conventions in Hong Kong, as my parents were participants. There was a jewelry company that my parents would supply diamonds to from Singapore. They would too love the pieces I would design for myself and proposed to me that I design a capsule line for them. I thought of it as an exciting opportunity and did a small capsule line of 40-45 styles. They then flew to Vegas with my collection to showcase the designs at a huge jewelry convention there. To a pleasant surprise, the pieces did really well and I got some really great feedback. That was also the moment I realized not only did I love designing jewelry but also the business behind it. A few months later, with some more experience, I quit my job at the architecture design firm and started my own near the end of 2011 – and that is when L’ Dezen was born. L’ Dezen by Payal Shah literally means The Design By Payal Shah. I wanted to create each piece to be unique from the other. All one-of-a-kind design, comfortable and elegant, bold yet feminine. I guess what I can gather from this is that I was always drawn to the creative, telling a story through an expressive form and jewelry just happened to be the medium. As a brand, you’re a storyteller – that has to be one of my most favorite things about the business – branding, and communications. I am so passionate about it.
3) Could you give us some tips to stay healthy with a busy schedule?
One of my favorite tips to stay healthy on a busy schedule is first and foremost, to stay active. To keep yourself awake and ready for your busy day, you have to keep yourself active. If you work at a desk, take a moment to get up and walk around – I use my apple watch activity feature to make sure I meet my stand goal every hour. Doing this can help you maintain a healthy blood flow throughout your muscles and body. A great way to stay active without taking time away from your workday is to give yourself a minimum of 30 minutes in the morning or evening for a workout as it can improve your stamina for your busy schedule and help you stay healthy. Another great way to stay healthy is to plan your meals well. Do not eat foods during the day that will put you in a coma. I am on a plant-based diet and stick to heavy protein lunches as it gives a boost of energy for the day. I have a green juice every morning that includes celery, kale, spinach, lemon, and other great fruits and veggies high in iron and fiber. I also only eat lunch at 2 pm as my first meal of the day as I fast from the dinner night before. Other great tips are to have vitamins based on what you are deficient in. I have Biotin and Vitamin C every day.
4) What are your goals in 2022?
My 2022 goals are to finally travel after being quarantined in Hong Kong for over two years. Obviously with recreations in place. I have also set some goals on what topics I will be getting involved with and educating myself. I have already started the year by getting myself involved in the web3 space. I am enjoying investing and trading in NFTs. I am getting myself more familiar with the metaverse and especially with the implementation of AR and VR technology. Learning and sharpening my knowledge is something I am always aspiring for. For many years I have always learned how to DJ, so I may take up some DJ and mixing lessons. This is for personal fulfillment to bring some extra joy into my schedule.
Personal goals are also set, I have recently moved to PT and really want to focus on becoming stronger and growing more muscle and tone. I would like to implement different mind workouts too such as gong baths and learning to meditate for longer. And lastly, I have started a gratitude journal which I wish to continue throughout the year.
5) How do you make yourself happy and ritzy in life?
Making yourself happy is so important. Achieving happiness starts with appreciating yourself and your own accomplishments. The one piece of advice I’d like to give is to appreciate ourselves more. As a society, we no longer should wait for others to appreciate us, but rather appreciate ourselves and acknowledge how far we’ve come. Many times in the past I remained stuck in the mindset of personal or professional competition with others, not recognizing the achievements I’ve made but measuring my own successes against others. But now I appreciate myself by remembering how far I’ve come. Thinking back to a year ago, five years ago or ten – did I ever think I’d be where I am now!
As cliché as it may sound for a reason – A smile can spread like wildfire. If you take the time to smile every day, you may just find that small moment of positivity affects your entire day and even the way others see you. Similar to taking deep breaths, smiling induces a chemical reaction that helps lift your mood. It can even boost your immune system and relieve stress which is so useful if you have a busy schedule. I usually take a positive outlook on those small daily struggles and it makes me realize they might just not be as stress-inducing as I first thought.
And of course, it’s important to have meaningful relationships outside of obligations and not shut yourself away from society. Lunch with family, going out in the city with friends, catching up with old buddies, or just taking your dog for a walk. Maintaining a strong relationship with friends and family helps me achieve ultimate happiness and feel ritzy.
Ritzy Chat
There is a story behind every successful woman. Every week, we catch up and chat with incredible women doing incredible things shaping Hong Kong.
