For feng shui designer Thierry Chow, the crossover of design and the ancient Chinese practice of positioning objects in harmony with nature is a way of life that runs deep in the family. “One of my most significant memories growing up is of my father [feng shui master Chow Hon Ming] arranging the furniture and decorations in our home. I never realised the impact it had on me until I myself also picked this career path.”

But with a razor-sharp half-blonde-half-black bob, burgundy lipstick, and a neat feline flick at the eye, Thierry does not look like your traditional Feng Shui patron. And for the better – in a field dominated by older men, Thierry’s striking, expressive personal style has become a vehicle for assimilating age-old Chinese wisdom into a younger, modern, and more creative-driven community. “Since I was a child, I was heavily focused on art. I knew from a young age that I was going to be an artist or designer. It’s in my blood and I carry the energy with me every day. I was trained heavily in art since grade school. In high school, I went to a normal day school and then art school at night, so I was trained in everything from water colour, oil painting and life drawing to even stretching canvases. I studied fine art in my first year of university but quickly knew It wasn’t for me. I then graduated from Sheridan College with a bachelor’s degree in applied illustration, which gave me skills in graphic design, drawing, and painting.”

Today, the stylish 32-year-old trailblazer is working to “spread the message of environmental awareness and wellness, and to bring the original core message of feng shui philosophy into the 21st century.” Last year, Thierry released her first book, Love and Fate, a feng shui-influenced guide for love and relationships, and this year she launches her brand Go Lucky with a collection of jewellery and homeware. “Since the day I decided to take the path of feng shui, I’ve always wanted to design a feng shui home product line. I always knew in my heart my calling was to bring creativity into this philosophy. My take is that design and feng shui are largely related and have a significant common ground.”