Sasha Young, the founder of Wright & Smith, talks about her journey towards establishing an online artisanal store and her relentless search for unique offerings.
THE LOVE STORY
The beginnings of Wright & Smith can be traced to the love story of George Arliss, a British navy officer who ended up in Hong Kong, and Ada Yip, the daughter of a Canton merchant. During their wedding in 1941, they were gifted a handpainted green china dinner service with real gold highlights and an intricate dragon motif.
Fast-forward to the 2000s: Grand daughter Sasha Young, then an interior designer living in Hong Kong, is close friends with the ceramicists of Yuet Tung China Works. Looking through the company’s archives one day, she chanced upon a picture of a familiar green plate – it was the wedding china of her grandparents.
“All those years, I had no idea there was a family connection. The ceramicist behind it and owner of Yuet Tung, Mr Tso, still comes to the ceramic workshop every day,” says Sasha.
What a heart warming coincidence, especially considering that only one of those plates had survived the war that tore the couple apart. George had been captured and taken to a prisoner-ofwar camp by the Japanese, while Ada remained in her country. It was only three years later that they reunited on the docks of Hong Kong.
Keren Zhang cuts each feather to size by hand, before laying them in concentric patterns.
Wright & Smith worked with young Chinese designer Monica Tsang to come up with the blue 5 Blessings Dinner Service, which is inspired by George and Ada’s collection.
Yuet Tung China Works has produced porcelain pieces for almost 100 years. Customers include hotels, department stores and even Hollywood celebrities.
Luxury was names and brands. Luxury, now, is beyond the brand and more about authenticity. It’s personal, curious and passionate. Having your story personally reflected in a bespoke piece that was made by people you appreciate and methods you get to experience – that is true luxury.
Every workshop or designer we work with has made a meaningful difference to people’s lives. Keren Zhang is a Chinese designer who created a stunning tea set inlaid with handmade feathers, inspired by the lost art of “dotting with kingfishers” that was popular during ancient China. He not only elevated it by using handmade feathers – the feather-plucking was inhumane – he decided to explore his Chinese roots in an industry that pressures young designers to be primarily commercially viable and “new” all the time.
Fine Cell Work is a rehabilitative stitching programme in the UK. It involves teaching prison inmates how to stitch and sew, helping them find a sense of self-worth and pride in learning a skill, so they can pursue a life away from crime. And there’s Elaine Ng/with Un/ Fold Guizhou, who is helping villagers bring their ancient dyeing methods alive and into the 21st century. The daughters of the village, who were uninterested and left home, are coming back to say, “Can I learn this, too?”
Of course, there’s John Born from Humble Matter, who left his advertising job in his 40s to teach himself pottery. Fendi Casa featured his ceramics in a campaign, within two years of his setting up; he has an incredible aesthetic. What a great example for us all.
A collaborative piece, made by one of our workshops, but with textiles from another. Actually, I’ve already started talking to them about it!
Customisable cushion covers, such as the Gunda (left), are made by skilled artisans in India.
Pottery from Brooklyn-based artist John Born.
The Sibast No. 8 chair, by Sibast Furniture, features an iconic Y-shaped leg design.
