If you thought sustainability and sparkle made strange bedfellows, you haven’t met Jeanine Hsu. The Bali-based, London and Hong Kong-raised founder and designer behind niin. Her 15-year-old ethical jewellery brand that has built a loyal global following, proving conscience and craftsmanship can coexist beautifully.
A Central Saint Martins alumni with a clear design eye and strong environmental ethos, Hsu balances her brand with raising three boys. Her statement pieces fashioned from reclaimed materials like abalone shell, mother-of-pearl, wood, silver 18k gold gentle gems and crystals, draw on her Chinese-European heritage and a deep connection to the natural world.
I create pieces that tell a story about our relationship with the environment,” says Hsu. And with recognition from the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals programme, it’s clear the message is landing. In her hands, ethical jewellery is quietly glamorous, and globally relevant. The family’s move from Hong Kong to Canggu, Bali during the pandemic brought her closer to the landscapes that inspire her work. Swapping skyscrapers for salt air and green rice paddies, Hsu has found a fresh creative rhythm and a new kind of clarity — both in design and in life.
Local daily routine?
Up at the crack of dawn to set up breakfast and wake the kids to get them ready for school followed by a dog walk on my bicycle to the beach or yoga/exercise class. Then I’m mostly in the home office until the kids come home, when dinner bath and bedtime routine kicks in. Twice a week we go to the beach or somewhere nearby for a sunset dinner and avoid the washing up.
Favourite local restaurant?
There are so many amazing restaurants in our neighbourhood – it’s hard to pick only one! On our road alone in Pererenan, it would have to be between Shelter, Riviera Trattoria, Rize or Zali. All so delicious. For more local grub, warung style – Warung YESSS. Finally, we like to head to BrickLane in Batu Belong for a Sunday roast, bevvies and beats.
Best bar or nightclub in Bali?
For a nightcap and some live music The Shady Pig in Pererenan tends to have a vibe. There is a speakeasy bar called Segno (above the restaurant Luma) that’s newer and rather cool. For a proper night out, Miss Fish in Berawa or Klymax at Potato Head is great as the sound system is next level (only been there a hand full of times though to be fair).
How is life in Bali different from Hong Kong?
The difference in a day here vs. one in Hong Kong is astounding. I think firstly we wake up (non hung-over) to the twittering of birds and all sorts of nature sounds. Surrounded by much greenery makes you feel more calm and essentially you leave the house wearing whatever you find – this means you save so much time getting ready, and just enjoy ‘being’ much more.
Things take more time here and once you allow this not to bother you (too much!) you feel much less stressed or in a rush too. I think it’s a healthier way to live than the hustle bustle of Hong Kong, much as I do love it there. Children are welcomed and woven into our social lives, this resonates better with us being young-ish parents.
How has your family adapted to a different lifestyle?
We have simplified and scaled back massively. It’s become mostly about the kids, and enjoying time as a family. Early bedtime ensures a smoother and early wake-up – although to be fair with very little house help now, it kind of means we have no choice.
Tell us your hidden local gems in Bali?
Kayu Village is a great new boutique hotel down the road to stay at, a peaceful haven nestled in the midst of the hustle bustle. As a family on lazy weekends, we cycle to a hotel-restaurant that is off the radar called Shore Amora. It has a nice pool, with a rice paddy view, DJs playing old house tracks and yummy food – plus the dogs are allowed and it’s normally not busy.
Then on a more active weekend, we head to the shack on the beach in Munggu (5 min walk from Seseh) called Warung Pantai – likewise good vibes although it’s been found out, and can get rather busy these days. Finally there’s Bureka– most elegantly “done- up fusion warung” with epic food close by there for an elevated meal, incredible value.
Best dining spots in Hong Kong that you always revisit?
Asian food- I love Maks Noodle, the Country Club’s dim sum, Bun Cha for their chicken Pho, Crystal Jade for xiao long bao or hotpot In Coda Plaza. For Western dining, I like the classics such as Gaia or Yard Bird in Sheung Wan, then would opt for Cipriani for a special treat.
Tell us more about where you source your materials for niin?
To keep the carbon impact smaller, (and logistics easier) mostly from where we make the pieces. Our new JADE collection for example is all sourced and hand made using Indonesian jade and recycled silver – in Bali. We still repurpose all the abalone shells from our long time partner restaurants in Hong Kong, which we especially love, as we can really ensure the traceability. Offcuts such as the wood and driftwood mostly come from our partner furniture factory (using FSC certified wood) in the Philippines.
Where do you shop in Hong Kong and Bali?
I honestly hardly shop these days, apart from groceries. In Hong Kong, I’m so happy to see SloWood doing so well – it’s great for shopping consciously, it’s good for healthy snacks, household stuff, crystals and little positive additions to add to your day – ideal for gifting.
In Bali, a shoutout to my favourite tiny store Putrifresh with organic jamu, juices, fruits and ready made organic roast chickens. If I need an outfit though- I would go to either Namustore, Como Canggu Boutique or Saraswati concept store that have lovely curated designs (including niin of course).
Favourite hotel, anywhere in the world?
Tough call. In memory of my beloved late father, I’ll choose my fondest and most extravagant summer spot as a child, where he would take us, and a hotel I will likely never get to stay at again! Total White Lotus vibes – The Carlton Hotel in Cannes, mind you, this was three decades ago.
Where do you go for total escapism?
Yoga at The Path, Canggu is my happy place, and then Gold Dust Spa is an oasis of tranquility for some pampering.
Where do you go for creative inspiration and stimulation?
I escape for a yoga retreat when I can, I really must do this more. The mountains is where my heart sings, and spending time in Austria snowboarding in the winter is my happiest place. The fresh air and nature fills me with inspiration and clarity and the exercise outdoors all day is so healing.
Dream vacation, not yet fulfilled?
So many… but South America is still calling to me – it was the intended gap year after school, but I opted to study instead. I hope to take the boys there when they are a tad older.
