Charlene Li, our talented alumna, has prepared customized gifts for graduates again this year.
Demonstrating steadfast dedication,
she has consistently presented individualized gifts of appreciation to graduates from the School of Economics, underscoring her profound commitment to this noble endeavor.
Today's focal point indisputably centers around the prominent central figure of this account—Charlene Li, a distinguished alumna of the Class of 2001 at Peking University School of Economics.
The present of graduation:
Since 2014, Charlene has consistently exhibited a deep sense of attachment to her alma mater, the institution. Through her brand, CHARLENE, she has steadfastly adhered to the practice of crafting and bestowing personalized graduation gifts to the School of Economics' graduates at Peking University. This annual tradition, coinciding with the graduation season, entails the meticulous creation of a splendid jewellery piece, symbolizing her heartfelt investment in the departing students as they transition from Yan yuan Park to embrace a promising future. This gesture will indelibly endure as a cherished graduation memento for these students.
2014
Years of firmness interpret love.
The ring is a halo of glory in the heart.
A small ring
Binding
On the shores of the unnamed lake
Under the Boya Tower
By the Acacia tree
Fearlessly and bravely making a wish
2015
Carrying the unique memories of Yan yuan
This is your own necklace.
After many years
Rubbing it in your palm.
What comes to your mind
It's not just the four years of your life.
It's a lifelong bond and attachment.
2016
In the memories of graduates in Peking University
The most impressive thing
is to look up at the golden color of the densely covered overhead.
The ginkgoes in Yan yuan Garden
Standing in silence
Accompanying students through summer and winter
Till the season of harvest
2017
Memories of the lake and tower
Is the memory of Yan yuan
Pages of stories and touches
Are the imprints of you and me
2018
In the year of 2018, a notable juncture coincided with the 120th anniversary of the school's graduation season. During this occasion, CHARLENE's affection for Yuanyuan found expression through its celebration of the commencement. From CHARLENE’s The Imperial Palace Fan Collection, distinguished by the Milano Design Special Award, we have carefully chosen 120 individual brooches. Each brooch is endowed with an exclusive serial number and tailor-made to embody the essence of our beloved Red of the Peking University.
Every single brooch in this collection emerged as a singular work of art, meticulously crafted for 120 exceptional graduates from Peking University's School of Economics. This heartfelt endeavor encapsulates our genuine aspiration for the perpetual prosperity of Peking University, ensuring its ongoing eminence. Furthermore, we extend our well wishes to Peking University, envisioning its flourishing and illustrious trajectory over the span of a century.
The resulting graduation gift, showcased in the image below, is a true marvel—an adaptable masterpiece that simultaneously serves as an everlasting keepsake. One can't help but marvel at its beauty and functionality. A touch of personal greed emerges within me as I contemplate such a splendid creation...
What kind of person is she to deliver such a heartfelt gift to the university? Let's look at her story.
Part 1
During the initial three decades of her life's journey, she embodied the extraordinary archetype of the "prodigy beyond her own lineage." “Graduated from Peking University”, “majoring in finance”, “president of the student union”, and “working in foreign investment banks”, those are all the labels that she could be proud of. By the age of 25, Charlene commanded a remarkable annual income of one million dollars within the realm of foreign investment banking. A mere two years after her entry into the firm, she attained the esteemed position of associate director. Over the ensuing years, she adeptly managed transactions worth billions of dollars annually, earning her place as a paragon among financial elites.
The turning point of the story takes place on a quiet summer day with a gentle breeze that makes people feel comfortable and cozy. Currently, Charlene has dedicated four years to her professional pursuits and has embraced the arrival of her second child.
At this point, Charlene recalled the original intention of giving herself this English name: to embody the essence of an elegant and self-reliant woman - yes, this is what she wants in life.
The idea of change, like a seed sown, is unstoppable once it begins to sprout. In less than half a year, Charlene resigned from her enviable job to devote herself to the realm of exquisite jewellery craftsmanship.
Part 2
For Charlene, entering a completely new field is not as scary as people usually think. Charlene was born in a commercial family, and by the age of 10, she had already embarked on internships within her father's enterprise, acquiring fundamental insights into the underpinnings of commerce. Since the age of 18, she has run small stores, done research reports on different industries, and interned at organizations such as BCG and the CBRC; By 23, she became a part of the global investment bank BNP Paribas, where she dedicated extensive time to studying the institution's organizational framework, risk management protocols, and motivational mechanisms. In Charlene’s perspective, the business realm forms a cohesive tapestry with distinct objectives, and she firmly believes that every experience she has had in the past is a valuable asset in her life and will have an impact on her future. Sooner or later, the dots that seem to be scattered will be connected into a line.
Nonetheless, at the onset of her entrepreneurial journey, Charlene Li, akin to all pioneers in business, encountered a multitude of challenges.
Throughout the initial half-year period, Charlene and her sole collaborator found themselves confined to their house. This phase involved the exhaustive pursuit of suppliers, the quest for proficient designers, the establishment of productive affiliations with manufacturing facilities, the creation of an initial, albeit relatively rudimentary, website, and the meticulous preparations for their first inaugural, well-equipped studio.
It was a hot June day when the studio was being prepared. At six o'clock in the morning, Charlene set off from the fifth ring in the southeast of Beijing to Song Zhuang, which is in the sixth ring in the east, in search of the ideal customized furniture; at noon, she hurriedly ate some simple food in the car and then rushed to the fifth ring in the northwest to pick the appropriate product packaging. As the sun descended, casting a golden hue across the landscape, she finally drove on the way home, at this time she clearly saw in the rear-view mirror the top of her head beads of sweat and steaming hot air.
At that moment, tears unconsciously from the upturned, as thoughts of her earlier days overseeing assets worth billions of dollars contrasted with the current battle to manage every expenditure. jewellery is expected to be a process that creates beauty, but the first thing Charlene encountered was exhaustion. However, the tears remained suspended in her eyes, unshed, for she recognized that challenges are an inherent facet of the entrepreneurial journey. She was aware that these trials would serve not to deter her, but rather to fortify her spirit and propel her closer to the aspirations that resided deep within her heart.
Following an arduous phase of exploration, Charlene Li finally owned her own studio. She scoured the globe for the finest designers, forged partnerships with premier haute couture workshops spanning Beijing, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Italy, and Israel. Moreover, she nurtured profound collaborations with suppliers hailing from diverse origins such as Sri Lanka, Thailand, Australia, and Colombia. This marked a pivotal juncture in Charlene’s jewellery journey, akin to the unfolding of a grand prologue:
In June 2013, the first delivery of senior jewellery to a special client marked a significant moment. The exceptional quality and craftsmanship of the jewellery quickly spread through positive word-of-mouth. This led to a growing number of custom requests, resulting in over 5,000 unique creations so far. The demand is so high that some clients are willing to wait for a year to own a distinctive piece from CHARLENE.
In May 2014, the customer unit price exceeded one million for the first time, swiftly progressing to two million, five million, and eventually ten million.
In January 2014, CHARLENE CLASSIC officially launched its first high-definition series: The Graces, which successfully applied the top Asian technology "stone on stone" for the first time, laying the foundation of the brand's technology.
In June 2016, drawing inspiration from flower and bird sketches of the Chinese Song Dynasty, CHARLENE CLASSIC introduced its pioneering design concept of "Oriental High jewellery." This concept championed the notion that Oriental cultural design should transcend mere figurative symbols, instead emphasizing the expression of the core of Oriental culture. This collection prominently graced the premier exhibition spaces of the three major international jewellery expos, receiving widespread acclaim from the global audience.
In January 2017, the jewellery design concept of "Oriental High-end jewellery" impressed Forbidden City and Phoenix, beating out many competitors and becoming the first brand to customize jewellery for the Forbidden City.
Part 3
In the company's fourth year of growth, Charlene welcomed her third child, a delightful and charming little princess. Playfully, she occasionally referred to this little princess as her "fourth" child, humorously ranking her brand, CHARLENE CLASSIC, as the "third" in line. From an early age, this endearing little princess was immersed in the enchanting realm of jewellery, accompanying her mother to work every day when she was just three months old. While her mother attended to her tasks, the little princess serenely slumbered in her crib. Upon waking, she would sit on the bench, her wide eyes fixated, silently absorbing the tales of jewellery's beauty spun by her mother.
Many mothers believe that their children's growth requires constant companionship. Yet, in Charlene’s perspective, her unwavering pursuit of her ideals is poised to positively shape her children's character and values. During weekends, her children frequently accompany her to work, engaging in reading activities. Evenings entail story time, where her children are privy to tales about jewellery, a topic uncommon in most children's story time. These vibrant narratives plant the seeds of refined beauty within their young minds.
When asked about attaining equilibrium between family and career, Charlene responded with a smile, stating that there is no absolute balance, and burnt-out situations happen all the time. She emphasized that dwelling on anxiety and complaints doesn't offer solutions. Life inevitably presents challenges, yet regardless of the hurdles faced, the key is to persist step by step and maintain the belief that things will always get better.
This is the woman who carefully raises three children while running her own jewellery business to the hilt. And even though she's been lauded by millions of people, she remains as calm as ever. She said, what she's doing isn't that hard.
It's just that “The details you ignore, we handle with all our heart.”
Charlene Li, a female alumnus of Peking University's School of Economics, pursued her undergraduate degree in 2001 and continued to achieve her master's degree in 2005. She stands as the founder and CEO of CHARLENE CLASSIC, bearing the title of a gemological appraiser accredited by the International Gemological Institute (IGI).
In her earlier academic years, she exhibited remarkable leadership qualities by serving as the President of the Youth League within the Faculty of Economics during 2003-2004, earning accolades such as the "Beijing Outstanding Student Cadre" and "Beijing Outstanding Graduate."
Her journey continued with an outstanding academic performance, leading to her admission to the University of Hong Kong in 2005. Notably, her exceptional scholastic achievements secured her a coveted spot in the finance master's degree program at the School of Economics. Throughout her academic journey, she garnered diverse experience through internships with institutions like BCG, the China Banking Regulatory Commission, and the State Administration of Taxation.
Previously, she served as the Associate Director of BNP Paribas' Fixed Income Department, playing a pivotal role in derivatives investment and sales over a notable span of six years.
This role encompassed overseeing the sales efforts for major corporations in Northern China, which included esteemed entities such as China's prominent state-owned enterprises, multinational corporations of global stature, and publicly listed private companies.
Her entrepreneurial spirit manifested in 2013 when she established her own venture, CHARLENE CLASSIC, dedicated to crafting high-quality customized jewellery. Under her leadership, the brand earned esteemed recognition, with a notable milestone in 2017 when CHARLENE CLASSIC was selected to create theme jewellery for the Forbidden City and Phoenix, subsequently showcased within the historic Forbidden City itself.
The brand's acclaim further solidified in April 2018, as the CHARLENE CLASSIC Airs of Virtue · The Imperial Palace Collection gained a prominent platform at the Milan Design Week, culminating in the prestigious Milan Design Special Award.
Co-founder and Chairman of CHARLENE CLASSIC:
Cheng Chi, B.S. in International Trade, Peking University School of Economics, Class of 2003, worked for PetroChina and engaged in strategic planning for centralized enterprises for 7 years.
附：新闻参考链接
1、《她刊》——这个生了3个娃、放弃百万年薪的北大美女学霸，最后给皇上做起珠宝！
2、《独一传媒》——“开轩览物华”轩灵珠宝艺术展故宫启幕，看人生赢家如何为皇上做珠宝
3、《China Daily》--- Winning fans of Chinese jewellry
4、CHARLENE CLASSIC 2014-2016年毕业礼物展示
