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An interview with Thierry Chow, Feng Shui Designer
Image courtesy of Sun Leung
A Little Background…
If you live in Hong Kong or you’re a closer observer of the design world, chances are, you’ve most definitely come across the name of Thierry Chow. Under the apprentice of her father, Mr. Chow Hon Ming (one of the most respected Feng Shui Masters in Hong Kong), Thierry has Feng Shui in her blood. Graduating with an illustration degree from Toronto, Canada, the artist combines fine art and creativity with traditional Feng Shui.
Besides her business in teaching and advising clients with Feng Shui, Thierry has also written and illustrated a book called “Love & Fate” published by et press (Hong Kong Economic Times) in Chinese. She has also appeared as a Feng Shui consultant on television and radio programmes including Anthony Bourdain’s Parts Unknown, Season 11, and Restaurant on the Edge, Netflix Original Season 1. Thierry has been featured on publications including Vogue Hong Kong, Hong Kong Tatler, LA Times, WWD, CNN Travel, Elle Magazine, Cathay Pacific’s Discovery and the June 2019 cover of American Way Magazine. She was also selected by Tatler Magazine to be on their Generation T list 2018, and Asia’s New Power list 2020, and selected by Prestige Magazine for their 40 under 40 in 2018. Thierry has collaborated with major brands like Kenzo, Lane Crawford, Maison Michel, Max & Co and Soho House.
Image courtesy of Tze Long
About Go Lucky by Thierry Chow
Go Lucky by Thierry Chow is a contemporary interpretation of the old-school tradition of Feng Shui. She takes eight approaches to design and curates recommendations for her clients, explaining each step of the process. Her online shop features symbols of zodiac animals to bring luck into a household.
The Questions
1) How did you get started in Feng Shui?
My father is a feng shui master, so I grew up with it. When I was young I didn’t do very well in school due to difficulties in focusing, but I’ve always been super creative so I had always focused in art, hoping to be an artist or designer when I grew up. I went to Canada when I was 10 years old and came back to Hong Kong after graduating with my Bachelors Degree in Applied Illustration; for the first couple of years I was so unhappy, with my job and life in general, so that forced me to think about some life changes that I needed to make. So one night I was having dinner with my father and something inside of me told me I need to learn Feng Shui from him, and that was it—it felt really right, and I knew at that very moment that I had found my calling.
2) Could you explain Feng Shui, for someone who has never come across it?
It’s essentially a practice that focuses on our environment and being aware of the affects it has on our wellbeing. Feng Shui is awareness of our immediate space, and choosing to raise it to a higher vibration in a conscious, creative manner. Meaning “wind/water” in Chinese, Feng Shui refers to what sustains all manner of life. It’s an ancient art of channeling natural universal energy known as “qi” to benefit our health and wellbeing. The term alludes to geomancy, but encompasses diverse disciplines such as geography, astronomy, astrology and meteorology.
On a practical level, Feng Shui experts in ancient China combined the various fields of environmental ecology, topology, architecture, interior design as well as psychology into one cohesive, interdisciplinary practice to secure the health and wealth of their clients. Many of its age-old applications still have striking relevance today as they are grounded in human interaction with nature. Feng Shui has been around for so long (around 4,000 years) it’s acquired many myths and misconceptions about it. To some, it’s interior decorating, to others a profound spiritual tool for soul-searching.
Image courtesy of Sun Leung
3) How would you describe your personality?
Quirky, creative, ambitious , and optimistic
[On Feng Shui]: “To some, it’s interior decorating, to others a profound spiritual tool for soul-searching.” —Thierry Chow, Feng Shui Designer
4) How did you decorate your own house/apartment?
I apply the Feng Shui philosophy to the layout, furniture orientation, colour, material and decorations, so my flat is very five-elements focused.
5) Favourite contemporary artist?
Yayoi Kusama
6) How do you interact with your clients and how does it work when a client approaches you for Feng Shui advice?
I listen with a lot of compassion. There are two types of consultation, so usually clients can book a time to come see me for a Feng Shui session and the session lasts for about one hour, then they can book another time for me to come visit their space. I walk through the whole space to give advice on how to arrange decor, furnitures, declutter etc to give the space maximum good energy.
For the birth chart consultation, it also takes about one hour, and during that session clients can share all their worries and fears, and any future prospects (all confidential). I take in all the information along with their birth chart, so that I give the client practical/spiritual advice accordingly.
“On a practical level, Feng Shui experts in ancient China combined the various fields of environmental ecology, topology, architecture, interior design as well as psychology into one cohesive, interdisciplinary practice to secure the health and wealth of their clients.” — Thierry Chow, Feng Shui Designer
7) What is the last book you read?
“How to see” by Thich Nhat Hanh
Image courtesy of Studio Florian Christine
8) Are you inspired by other cultures?
Yes largely, my view in life is that we can only all learn more from each other.
9) Who is your biggest inspiration?
Rupaul
10) Next travel destination?
England, Iceland, and Denmark