The showroom and studio of Latitude 22N is housed in a 1970’s warehouse in Chai Wan. Here Hong Kong born and bred Julie Progin and her American born husband Jesse McLin work and showcase their varied collections. This clever duo not only create and design but also work with artisans in Jingdezhen province in China, the home of porcelain, to produce a modern yet quirky take on ceramics. You will find it hard to leave Latitude 22N without something. Their suspension lights come in a multitude of colours; their ‘Ding’ light, in white or black, is a delicate yet striking modern take on the hanging light. Their basic porcelain bowls, plates and cups are produced in beautiful hues, and their collections, The Night Market, Song and Waves are unique and refreshing. Everything is done with precision and thought. It makes me think that ceramics/porcelain is definitely coming back in a big way.  After graduating with a Bachelor in Fine Arts at Kansas City Art Institute and then a Masters degree at The Alfred State School of Ceramics Arts Jesse McLin went to New York and taught at Parsons School of Design where he met Julie Progin. Jesse works with many different materials: metal, paper, ceramics, glass, and the incredible wooden tree installations could be used as a room divider or just to just simply have in a space gives a sense of calm. Jesse’s childhood growing up exploring the redwoods of Northern California perhaps gave him an eye to hand carve these beautiful wooden sculptures. Julie studied textiles at Duperré in Paris and ended up exploring product design at Parsons in New York, but her Hong Kong roots brought them back to launch their own design studio. 

What made you start Latitude 22N?

Our wedding was the starting point. We wanted to share our appetite for ceramics and design with our loved ones. Next thing you know, we pulled up our sleeves and set out to create our wedding decor out of ceramic from lights to candle holders down to dinner plates. This is when our Song dinnerware collection came to be. We were inspired by the delicate, simple and nature influenced patterns of the Song era that were made in Jingdezhen, porcelain capital city of China, that we had seen at the Metropolitan in New York where we lived at the time. The designs we came up with had such good responses that we decided we had to find a way to make more pieces and what better place to make them then to go back where the source of our inspiration came from. So we packed our bags and headed off to explore the know hows of Jingdezhen’s craftsmen, dropping off suitcases in Hong Kong along the way. What we found there was breathtaking. Amazing white porcelain and skills that we had not encountered before. Naturally we started exchanging ideas with the artisans there and drew up more and more collections back in our studio in Hong Kong. The name Latitude 22N was then decided – 22N for the terrestrial coordinates of the city of Hong Kong. Latitude as a reflection of our diverse skills, backgrounds and that of all the people involved in the making of our collections. 

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When Asma Chishty decided to leave the world of finance, where she worked as a corporate banker in the highly specialised field of ‘diamond financing’, it was little wonder she started designing her own boutique jewellery line – pomegranate gems. There was a great creative influence from her parents: her artist mother opened her eyes to form and proportion while her diplomat father instilled a love of travel and culture. Now based in Hong Kong and in just over one year Asma has designed a beautiful range of unique jewellery. After collaborating with artisans across Asia and Europe, the result is three collections with three different looks. Her Signature line is inspired by Asma’s birthplace Lahore; bold and striking sapphires, rubies and emeralds nestle in modern designs; Geneva – exquisite day-to-night pieces in 18 carat white, rose gold and diamonds – is an ode to Asma’s hometown, and Atelier – the bridal collection – is more classical and refined with bespoke designs. Asma’s jewellery definitely has that want-to-slip-that-on-and-wear-it-now allure but it’s also timeless so it will take you through all the seasons.

Some of the things you might do in a day?

I’m an early riser, as soon as the kids leave for school, I meet a group of friends at Starbucks for coffee and our daily walk around the Peak which I follow up with a session of yoga three times a week. I like being at my desk by 9:30 am to catch up on admin things and work in peace on my design work. The afternoon is often spent in meetings or at my Atelier in Hung Hom. 

Describe your style?

Clean, polished yet bold

Can you name three of your best traits?

Reliable, affectionate, creative

Who or what inspires you?

My mother who is an incredibly talented watercolorist and my husband, who is incredibly driven and all my girlfriends who are the fabric of my life. 

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Wanting to learn the craft of jewellery making? Head down to Hatton Studios. Jeweller Nathalie Melville, a graduate from Central Saint Martins, London, helps clients to create handmade pieces – she has worked for Tiffany, Follie Follie and Shanghai Tang, and has worked extensively on bespoke pieces for private clients, too. Her knowledge of precious metals and gems and attention to detail is amazing. Tables and tools are available to rent for those who spend more time and fall in love with honing their technique of the art form. The courses start at beginner’s level and also include private tuition. Some students have carried on further and gone on to develop their own collections. 

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