Bao Bao Wan: Designer, Socialite, and Globe-Trotting Fashionista

Over the years covering Society in Hong Kong, have run into the petite and precious Bao Bao Wan several times and been amazed at her personal style, sartorial selects and the dazzling - and more importantly - unique jewellery. Mustered up some courage to go up and chat with her and she informed  me that most of her accessories were her own creation. Even in this above pic of what looks like the silhouette of a classic 'jhumka'. But its not. More of a flat inlay than the traditional, Indian bulbous silhouette, the designer created a gemstone studded accessory to accentuate her perfect profile. 

In fact, a profile of Bao Bao is the need of the hour. For the new viewers, Bao Bao Wan (Wan Baobao or Wan Yingnü), born in Beijing around 1981, is a prominent Chinese jewelry designer, socialite, and international style icon. As the granddaughter of Wan Li - former Vice Premier and Chairman of the National People’s Congress - she grew up in the privileged yet sheltered confines of Zhongnanhai, the elite government compound in Beijing. This “red princess” background provided cultural depth but also fueled her desire for independence.

At 16, she left China for the United States, studying at The Masters School in New York and later pursuing photography and French literature at Sarah Lawrence College. She apprenticed with photographer Joel Sternfeld and spent time in Paris deepening her French studies and artistic sensibilities. These experiences profoundly shaped her creative voice, blending Western artistry with Chinese heritage. In 2006–2007, she earned her GIA Graduate Gemologist diploma in Hong Kong and founded Bao Bao Wan Fine Jewelry.

Her designs are whimsical, narrative-driven, and deeply personal. Collections draw from childhood memories - pagodas where she played, bicycles on Tiananmen Square, pandas, ink brushes, and butterflies - fusing traditional Chinese motifs (treasure vases, architecture, nature) with contemporary flair. Fine jewelry lines feature high-end diamonds, pearls, and gemstones, while the accessible “And The Little Ones” series offers playful diamond pavé pendants (cameras, owls, sweets) ideal for everyday wear. Pieces like those in the “China” and “Bon Bon” collections freeze moments of emotion, nostalgia, and motion, reflecting her reaction to China’s rapid change. Her work is stocked at Lane Crawford, Harrods, and matchesfashion.com.

As a globe-trotting fashionista, Bao Bao Wan is a fixture on the international scene. She was the first Chinese debutante at Le Bal des Débutantes in Paris (2003), attends Met Gala, Paris Fashion Week (often front-row), and jet-sets between Beijing, Hong Kong (her business base), New York, Paris, and beyond. Her eclectic personal style shifts effortlessly - from red-carpet glamour to casual sporty looks—embodying a modern, liberated Chinese woman.

With over a million Weibo followers, collaborations (YOOX, St. Regis as its first Chinese Connoisseur, Swarovski), and celebrity fans, Bao Bao Wan represents the gilded fusion of legacy, creativity, and global sophistication. Her bespoke jewelry doesn’t just adorn - it tells stories of identity, beauty, and cultural pride. Standing out is easy when you're born with pulchritude and a visage meant to be photographed, but its the curated glimmer of her rare and precious accessories that makes her stand out even in the dark.