I started my whole quest to the Forbidden City as a student of Asian Language and Cultures and ended up spending two years in Beijing to perfect my Chinese. As a designer, I found truth in the elements of Asian design and a balance in Asian thought that I had not experienced in anywhere else. It was from this that my Forbidden City Jewellery Collection was born.

I simply fell in love with the Forbidden City, this Palace of 9,999 rooms - the infinity of it all influenced my designs tremendously. From imperial craftsmanship, I learned how to make jewellery truly fit for a queen and no matter where I sell my work, my quality doesn’t change. It’s luxury plain and simple.

My pieces truly define the meaning of jewellery - they are luxurious to the touch, they are sensuous, the quality is undying because I demand it on every square centimeter, just like the Emperors of the Chinese royal court did nearly 500 years ago. Passion and quality were something I learned not only in Beijing but the other two cities that I currently call ‘home.’
    

All three cities I’m fortunate to spend time in influence my designs. Los Angeles is fashion and style; Beijing is the root of my inspiration and the place where craftsmanship is carried out the same way it was 500 years ago; and Geneva, Switzerland is my city of impassioned and unbeatable quality. Quality is something that I take very seriously: from the designs that are true to the stories which inspire my thoughts to the hand-craftsmanship that meets the rigorous quality standards I live around in Switzerland. Quality takes center stage with Forbidden City. When a customer receives an item of true quality, you can see their face light up; you know they are happy. That’s why no expense is spared when it comes to my pieces.

My mother always taught me that its best to make someone happy before they even know you. My jewellery is the way I do this every day.

John Cooney
Designer, Forbidden City Jewellery Collection