Swan by Kwan was founded by Sundance award-winning Chinese-Canadian filmmaker, Julia Kwan.  In 2012, Julia discovered the healing and emollient properties of camellia tea oil while shooting a film in Vancouver Chinatown’s first premium tea shop, Treasure Green.  Having been diagnosed with cancer and wanting an alternative to commercial skin care products, Julia began to make her own skin care products.  She found making her own products empowering. 

Julia remembers how her grandmother made these misshapen slabs of soap.  Even years after her grandmother’s death, her Mother treasured those rustic soaps, down to their last nubby bits.  With Swan by Kwan, Julia’s goal is to provide a simple and natural balm in an artful, reusable package.   

Check out the film, Everything Will Be, a National Film Board documentary, about the transitioning Chinatown in Vancouver.

The labels are designed by award winning designer/sculptor Mary Ann Liu.  The design was inspired by the Shanghai ad posters in the 1930’s.  Check out Mary Ann Liu’s website.

Photography credit: Athena Wong
Model credit: Valerie Tian

SwanbyKwan is part of Fire Horse Productions Limited group of companies.