At Vivee, partnership is one of our core pillars and in our new series of blog posts we wanted to give you a peak into how that partnership contributes to crafting the collections we bring to life. Here, we will share the stories of the amazing manufacturers we have the opportunity to partner with around the world. We are so excited to begin this series by featuring the team that brought our Vibrant Touch collection to life: a porcelain production company in Chaozhou, China, led by a big and welcoming family.
About Chaozhou Porcelain
Chaozhou is sometimes called the "Capital of Ceramics" because of its long and rich history of porcelain production. For more than 6,000 years, Chaozhou has been producing some of the finest porcelain in China, and its products are now exported to all over the world.
Plate produced in Chaozhou during Ming dynasty (1368 to 1644)
One of the things that makes porcelain from Chaozhou so special is its unique manufacturing process. Chaozhou porcelain is made using a special type of clay called kaolin, which is known for its pure white color and translucency. The clay is mixed with water and then shaped into various forms using a variety of the techniques we know and love, like hand-throwing, wheel-throwing, and casting.
Once the porcelain has been shaped, it’s fired in a kiln at extremely high temperatures. This firing process gives Chaozhou porcelain its signature strength and notable durability.
The Vibrant Touch Collection
Our Vibrant Touch collection is a collaboration between our designers and the incredible Chaozhou porcelain team. We set out to create a collection that would showcase the beauty and craftsmanship of the porcelain from Chaozhou, while also adding our own unique Vivee vibe!
The result is a collection of porcelain pieces that are both elegant and playful. The pieces are decorated with bold colors and patterns, and they are sure to add a touch of luxury to any home.
The Chaozhou Porcelain Team
The Chaozhou porcelain team is made up of experienced and skilled artisans who are passionate about their work - and did we mention they are a family? Not only are they dedicated to producing high-quality porcelain that is both beautiful and functional, they are wonderful to spend time with!
The porcelain team is led by a founder Fang Ruijie who graduated from the Ceramics Institute of Guangdong Province. When we visited a factory together, Fang shared with us his paintings from his time at university. His teachers were artists famous in the region: Huang Meiyao (freehand landscape painting), Yu Junxian (modern watercolor painter), and Lin Bing (sculpture ceramist). Although he doesn't paint now, we spent time discussing our favorite technique’s, artists and the pieces that have had the most influence over our own personal art. Heis also a huge fan of calligraphy, eventually becoming a master at the craft and even passing the skills down to his children!
After a meaningful trip filled with great work (and some sightseeing!) Fang invited our team to have lunch with his whole family! Having the opportunity to connect and bond with the team on our last day was the perfect send off.
Final Thoughts (for now!)
We are so grateful for the chance to partner with the Chaozhou porcelain team in bringing our Vibrant Touch collection to life, and into your homes. Their remarkable skill & dedication to their craft, and their commitment to quality exemplifies the spirit of Vivee. Thank you again to the Chaozhou porcelain team for your collaboration and effort. We hope the hard work and love from our teams shine through in the product, and that you all enjoy the collection as much as we do!