Unwrapping K.S. Sze & Sons' Magical Family Tree Tradition

In the opulent glow of the Hong Kong's Mandarin Oriental Hotel, the sparkle of luxury heirloom jewelry dances with the festive glow of twinkling lights, K.S. Sze & Sons hosts its enchanting Christmas tree decoration event each December. Laughter bubbles as wide-eyed children, their tiny hands clutching shimmering ornaments, clamber to crown a towering Christmas tree over the soft clink of mulled wine glasses as parents linger nearby, sipping mulled wine while exchanging stories.

Each jewelry-inspired ornament is a delicate replica of the emerald pendants, gold filigree stars, and sapphire charms that have graced necks and wrists for generations. For over six decades in this iconic hotel, the Sze family has transformed their boutique into a cozy sanctuary where clients come to weave their stories into a tree that gleams with shared history.

At the helm of this tradition is Camille Sze, the American-born president who returned to her family's Hong Kong roots three years ago, carrying the torch of a 102-year-old legacy. "We approach jewellery 'family-style,' and everything that comes with it," she explains, her voice warm with the cadence of someone who's grown up straddling continents. Blending Eastern jade masterpieces with Western heirlooms like Edwardian tiaras and Fabergé gems, K.S. Sze & Sons, nestled in the Mandarin since its 1963 debut, is more than just a purveyor of exquisite pieces; it's a keeper of stories.

Camille recalls the thrill of watching a little girl, whose first necklace was a gift from her father at the store, return decades later as a mother seeking a graduation pendant for her own child. These multigenerational moments, fueled by word-of-mouth loyalty rather than ads, form the boutique's DNA. "Our local friendships have been a sustaining gift," Camille says, crediting the community's embrace for their endurance.

This "Family Tree" tradition, as it's affectionately known, forgoes the glossy commercial trappings of holiday decor for something deeply personal. The store closes its doors to the public, instead welcoming 20 to 25 select families; cherished clients whose journeys have intertwined with the Szes'. Children are invited to dive into a treasure trove of personalized Christmas ornaments while parents relax amid festive bites. Gifts, thoughtfully wrapped, hide beneath the branches, saved for Christmas morning.

"We see meaning and connectivity in the dressing of our store's holiday tree," Camille shares. "As a company, we not only do it together; we invite our clients to add ornaments." Crowning it all is the golden "Kam Sing" star (金星) the namesake emblem of the Sze lineage, symbolizing prosperity in this family heirloom tradition.

This year, the event's magic was amplified by the very community it celebrates, as friends and clients pitched in to craft the magic. "We have a tremendous community at K.S. Sze & Sons; we actually put this event together by using our friends and clients, and I'm recently just so touched and so honoured as the leader of this amazing team," Camille reflects, her tone laced with gratitude. "I want to point out that it has been such a community effort, that it's possible for one jewelry store to have a community so loving."

The tradition's origins trace back to Camille's childhood Christmases in Hong Kong. Her grandfather, who launched the boutique in the Mandarin's inaugural year, would put his grandchildren to "work," a gentle ruse for letting them unleash creativity amid gem and velvet displays. "He encouraged our connection to the shop space," Camille says, recalling the two-story retail expanse that became their playground.

This playful ritual evolved naturally, now extended to the children of clients who now claim their own ornaments from that same cabinet. It's a deliberate break from luxury's rigid rules: no pristine, mass-produced spheres here, instead replaced with an eclectic mosaic of vintage ceramics handmade by Camille's little sister, featuring faded family photos around a yuletide scene; time-worn treasures passed down generations; and jewelry-inspired delights like tiny brooches mimicking the boutique's signature jade carvings or Fabergé-inspired eggs.

"We use a lot of jewel-themed decorations," Camille shares. "A lot of personal ones, eclectically accumulated but somehow arranged as a powerful statement. Some are vintage, home-made, some are worn at the corners with love cherished over the years." The result is a "tree of bejeweled memories" that mirrors the Sze ethos of craftsmanship as a vessel for life's chapters. A cherished ceramic featuring Camille's late father stands sentinel, reminding all that these traditions honor the absent as much as the present.

For Camille and her kin, the tradition is about more than festivity; it's a reflection of their longstanding values. "At the heart of every jewellery company are a set of principles that never change," she affirms. The family structure has sustained a team of artisans and staffers with over four decades of tenure, mirroring the multigenerational dynamics in their work. Amid Hong Kong's shifting tides, where local jewelers have grappled with economic hardship, the Szes prioritize "patient one-on-one relationships" over volume. "We hold at the highest value the idea of service, no matter how great or small the ask," she emphasizes, treating each service as "a personal honor and privilege." The company is also bolstered by a world famous team who serves clients from United States to Dubai.

This philosophy shines brightest during the holidays, when the event becomes a snapshot of gratitude. "We are honored to string the lights on our tree one more year... and grateful to have strung together our family's journey in jewels year after year, generation to generation," Camille says, pride swelling for their record as the hotel's longest-standing business.

The multigenerational thread is the tradition's true sparkle. Children who once played under the branches now bring their own little ones, turning strangers into kin. "Family continuity should inspire and comfort us all," Camille muses, crediting these bonds for the boutique's resilience. In an era of uncertainty, these gatherings draw strength from simple joys: watching families evolve, much like the heirlooms they entrust to the Szes' care. It's a quiet promotion of endurance: by valuing service over sales, K.S. Sze & Sons has curated a clientele as timeless as their Edwardian tiaras or Wallace Chan discoveries.

This season, the "Family Tree" unveiling coincides with fresh inspirations from the atelier. Three new collections blend modern edge with classic poise (think sleek jade interpretations alongside vintage JAR earrings) offering surprises that "bring meaning in their lives," as Camille puts it. "The aim is that we listen carefully to our clients and offer the jewels that will surprise and delight them."

Cecilia Wong Sze, Camille's mother and the boutique's anchor, captures the essence in her own words: "Christmas is always one of the most treasured holidays for the Sze family. The smell of gingerbread cookies, cinnamon, fresh pines, the never-go-out-of-style Christmas songs and books, the ornaments that have us guessing when they first appear on the KS Sze tree, kids' innocent laughs… posing for photos… We want to share all this with K.S. Sze's clients and friends, and what better way than to do it around the Christmas Tree with the gold star, "Kam Sing," on top?"

As the last ornament settles and families depart with cheeks rosy from laughter, the tree stands sentinel, a chronicle of joys past and promises future. In a world that rushes toward the new, K.S. Sze & Sons reminds us that the most enduring treasures are those hung with love, one delicate branch at a time.