Growing up in Tsing Yi, an island in Hong Kong’s New Territories, Austy showcased profound interests in art, design, fashion and history from a young age. He began his professional and creative career in 2003 working as a graphic designer and illustrator for a local magazine.

Driven by his unquenchable curiosity and a desire to expand his creative horizons, he pursued a degree in product design, where he immersed himself in the nuances of gemstone setting and hand-chiseling metals.

Augmenting these tactile fundamentals with his ever-expanding acumen for design and illustration, he also had the opportunity to learn from his experienced artisan uncle, who instilled in his nephew extensive knowledge of jade carvings, bone teeth and antique and ancient artifact restoration.

Unsurprisingly, Austy’s talents and unique point-of-view caught the eye of Hong Kong High Jeweler, Adler, who offered him a position as a trainee in jewelry design. He credits his time with the brand for helping him develop a litany of foundational skills, including experience in 3D rendering and identifying and selecting exceptional materials.

Austy went on to work as Chief Designer for celebrated Hong Kong jeweler, Wendy Yue, before he struck out on his own in 2017, opening an inaugural design studio and launching his eponymous brand. In this relatively short amount of time, he has won several accolades and gained international recognition among collectors and enthusiasts.

Inspired by multi-cultural themes of art, history, science, religion, flora, fauna and, yes, psychedelic concepts, the intricacies of his work transcend the mere creation of narratives and instead establish tangible links between mystical reality and earthly sensibilities.

Working with a vast spectrum of interesting and unexpected gemstones, he exhibits a comfort with even the rarest of materials, adeptly incorporating Pardpardscha sapphires, Paraiba tourmalines, sphene, indicolite, star sapphires, pink diamonds and an assortment of jade hues into his astonishing designs.

His use of enamel-coated 18k gold, rhodium plating and electroplated polished metals expand conventional mediums of the artform, resulting in exquisitely engineered, sculptural pieces that convey a philosophical depth and an intensity of emotion.

Austy’s determination to have a positive impact on the world is evident in the thoughtfulness and intention he applies to every detail of his designs, and the care and consideration he showcases to those around him, including the students he tutors as a lecturer in jewelry design at Hong Kong’s Baptist University.

Collaborating with a workshop of expert artisans, both familiarity and proximity allow for a vibrant, ongoing discourse with the craftspeople he entrusts to bring his vision to life. Challenging these craftspeople to push the boundaries of tradition, every piece of one-of-a-kind aUSTY LEE jewelry embodies the sublime, ineffable characteristics that distinguish true art jewelry.