I Wanna Be Adorned: Labour of Love’s Regina Sheung on wearable works of art

Regina Sheung sees beauty in everything, and she uses her Toronto shop, located in Cabbagetown, Labour of Love as a canvas to create a full sensory experience that transforms the way people think about how cards, clothing, housewares and fashion all relate and interact with each other.

Shueng is also a champion of Canadian jewellery designers. It’s a joy to visit Labour of Love and try on the unique necklaces, rings, earrings and bracelets. It’s an even bigger pleasure to take one of these pieces of wearable art home with you.

Femke asked Sheung to share works from two of her favourite designers, Michelle Ross and Lissa Bowie.

Ross honed her unique perspective while studying textiles at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design University. In 2007, she moved to London, England where her studies at the prestigious London College of Fashion. In England, Ross interned for the luxury fashion label Erdem. After returning to Toronto in 2010, she brought these experiences together and started Michelle Ross Jewellery — an exploration of the fine balance of elegance and unpredictability. 

Bowie started out in Toronto and at George Brown College and then set out to explore the world. She attended the Gemological Institute of America in NYC to further build her sense of creative design. The behind-the-scenes adventures of studying with master craftspeople and searching for sources around the world lead to India and finally the mountainous regions of Mexico where Bowie and her husband currently resides.

What attracts Sheung to these designers is that their work is not shy. You can instantly recognize Ross and Bowie’s strong point of view, but at the same time once the buyer puts it on, the jewellery becomes part of the wearers’ own self-expression.

Sheung is also drawn to the materials they use. Earthy brass and semi-precious stones are conductive to connecting the artists and the wearer. And Sheung is happy to be the go-between for all parties.