With backgrounds in engineering and biomedical science, husband and wife team Julian Lee and Eve Wang made a surprising decision to launch their own ceramics brand, Delain, in 2016.
Already keen ceramic lovers, the idea surfaced after the duo embarked on a world art tour, visiting places they had dreamed about in America, Europe, Japan and China.
“Along the way we discovered both ancient and modern ceramic art, and evolved into a new level of ceramic enthusiasts,” says Lee. When they returned home, they were determined to create a brand that combined the highest-quality porcelain with modern designs.
“When we got back to Australia, we found the market was stuffed with European and Chinese factory bone china and stoneware, while the beauty and significance of fine porcelain could only be seen in antiques and historical replicas.
“We thought it was a shame that Australians did not have access to designer porcelain objects and missed out on enjoying quality porcelain wares.”
Delain launched late last year and debuted to trade at Reed Gift Fair Sydney. The brand’s current collection includes mugs, bowls, plates and vases, which are all designed and handmade in Jingdezhen, China.
Lee says Jingdezhen is the birth place of porcelain, which is why he and Wang travelled there in early 2016 to collaborate with a group of artists on the products.
“The essential material to make pure and premium hard-paste porcelain is kaolin clay, which is only found in a few places around the world, Jingdezhen being one of them,” he explains.
“For thousands of years, the ceramists who lived in Jingdezhen have devoted themselves to ceramic art and continued to handcraft beautiful pieces with traditional skills so the precious heritage was able to be passed down through generations.”
As a result of Delain’s high-end wares being produced in China, Lee says he is happy to help break down the ‘made in China’ stigma. “By introducing premium and authentic porcelain from China, we are happy to let the world know that China is still making the best porcelain.”
By Ruth Cooper
