It is never easy to have the slightest grasp of an aspect for the opposite sex but some people just have the exact talent of doing so. A designer? You bet.

Mastering the law of asymmetrical attraction: Mr. Michael Leung
Article by Kaila I.So
Photos courtesy of Mr. Michael Leung

Sitting down and talking to Michael is not a hard thing to do. He is easily the most likable person with a genuinely easy going personality. Dressed in a very casual west coast tee, a hoodie and jeans, a pretty shinny thing shimmering on his neck in Frodo Baggins style immediately became the center piece of his outfit.

“I prefer necklaces. Not that I don’t like earrings, rings or bracelets. I do. For me, however, they seem to lack the power statement aspect that a necklace can bring for an outfit. It is a bigger piece of jewellery, you know?” Michael swung his straw in a gentle circle in his iced frapp and half frowned at his drink as he explained his love for jewellery design.

“I took a few design courses back in high school and [jewellery design] was not my first choice for post secondary education. I wanted to do interior design but I didn’t take Drafting in high school. So I chose what I had experience for and went with it.” It was not just experience that gave Michael the nudge into the world of design.

“I can see it, in my mind, when I think about the person or people that I am designing these pieces for. I constantly think about how they might want to wear it, what would suit their needs, what might be on their mind and how it can be represented through my work. I made a piece for my mom with a pearl detail. I could imagine her wearing it and so I made it. It is all about the person wearing the pieces.”

I was especially being attracted to Michael’s designs during the Vancouver Fashion Week as one of his asymmetrical necklace piece was on display. It was a three part detail piece, with a gold plate heart interlock, a triangle drape with Swarovski crystals, and a necklace string piece. It was love at first sight and for some very strange reason, I had a ‘vision’ of a very elegant Valentino evening gown in pastel pink, silk, corset top, big ribbon at the back, drape bottom, free floating, classic, beautiful, goes perfect with the necklace. OMG wait a minute. . . I am pairing a dress WITH a necklace, not a necklace with the dress. This is how good Michael’s collection is. He can dethrone a fashion house. But only if he wants to.

“I took a chance at trying something new at the Vancouver Fashion Week, did not expect much out of it, and just wanted to try it, for experiences’ sake. I sold some pieces, which is always a good thing.” As I explained to Michael how much he should really really really consider starting his own brand like literally, he gave me a serious look and asked, “You think?”

Yes I think. I think indeed. When I told him how I was so amazed by his work, Michael burst into a sunshine smile. Here is a designer that does not have an ego. And it is a complement.

“I have not really thought too much about it yet. I do like designing. I know I enjoy it, when things are being made and when I can make them perfect. I edit my pieces here and there once in a while. I always have ideas and I always like the non-conforming elements. That is what I look for in my pieces. I aim to make them different, versatile, worthy of making a statement.”

Statement of not, it is certain that nothing of the conforming sort will slip through Michael’s webs of metals and Swarovski crystals. He is here to represent asymmetricism. Move over, pop culture.