Faculty

Yici Zhao is a high jewelry designer and founder of her eponymous brand, with over a decade of experience in fine and high jewelry design. Her work has been acquired by private collectors internationally, with signature creations achieving notable auction results and retail presence at Lane Crawford. Zhao’s work has been featured in Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Robb Report, and other leading industry publications, reflecting a sustained commitment to craftsmanship, aesthetic innovation, and storytelling within contemporary high jewelry.

With a strong foundation in gemology and a Graduate Gemologist degree from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), Zhao brings extensive expertise in the selection, grading, and artistic integration of precious gemstones, balancing technical precision with emotional and narrative depth in design. She is committed to mentoring students through a concept-driven, material-aware approach, encouraging critical thinking, craftsmanship, and the integration of design, culture, and personal voice in contemporary creative practice.

University College London, School of Management, Master of Buiness Administration

Gemological Institute of America, Graduate Gemologist (G.G)

Parsons The New School For Design, Bachelor of Fine Arts in Fashion Design