View source for Lynn Ban (Bling Empire: New York)

[[File:Lynn Ban profile.png|thumb|''Lynn Ban. Photo from [https://lynnban.com/projects Lynn Ban.]'' ]]
Lynn Ban (born 27 May 1972) is a Singaporean jewellery designer and fashion influencer based in New York City, USA. Her jewellery brand, which shares her name, boasts a star-studded clientele, including celebrities like Rihanna and Beyoncé.<ref name=":0">Ban, Lynn. “[https://lynnban.com/projects Lynn Ban]”. ''Lynn Ban''. n.d. Accessed 17 February 2023.</ref><ref name=":1">Lim, Louisa. “[https://www.straitstimes.com/life/style/meet-lynn-ban-stylish-and-charismatic-singaporean-cast-member-for-bling-empire-new-york Meet Lynn Ban, stylish and charismatic Singaporean in Netflix series Bling Empire: New York]”. ''The Straits Times''. January 19, 2023. Accessed 17 February 2023.</ref><ref name=":2">Tan, Jou Teng. “[https://zula.sg/lynn-ban/ 15 Facts About Lynn Ban, The Singaporean Jewellery Designer In Bling Empire: New York]”. ''ZULA SG''. February 14, 2023. Accessed 17 February, 2023. </ref>

Lynn also made her reality show debut with Bling Empire: New York, a spin-off of the successful Netflix series, Bling Empire; the show first aired in January 2023.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />

As of February 2023, Lynn Ban has over 178,000 followers on Instagram.<ref>lynn_ban. “[https://www.instagram.com/lynn_ban/?hl=en lynn_ban]”. ''Instagram''. n.d. Accessed 17 February 2023.</ref>
== Background ==
=== Family ===
[[File:Lynn Ban with her mother and husband.png|thumb|''Lynn Ban pictured with her mother (left) and her husband (right). Photo from [https://www.instagram.com/lynn_ban/?hl=en Instagram].'' ]]
Lynn Ban was born in 1972 to David and Patricia Ban, who are a property magnate and certified gemologist, respectively. She also has a younger sister.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3">Lim, Leslie Kay. “[https://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/singaporean-lynn-bans-edgy-jewellery-is-worn-by-stars-such-as-rihanna-and-beyonce Singaporean Lynn Ban’s edgy jewellery is worn by stars such as Rihanna and Beyonce]”. ''The Straits Times''. September 1, 2014. Accessed 17 February 2023.</ref>

The former is a successful businessman who helped to franchise Genki Sushi, the Japanese conveyor-belt sushi chain in Singapore and Hong Kong.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" /> David Ban also happens to be the Executive Director of Venus Assets, a Malaysian real-estate company that owns the luxurious properties of Four Seasons Place.<ref name=":2" /> According to Lynn, her mother was a former secretary and gemologist certified by the Gemological Institute of America.<ref name=":3" /> As someone with an eye for style, Patricia had also passed on her love for fashion to her daughter.<ref name=":3" /><blockquote>''“My mother would walk me to and from school and we'd take a short cut though Blooming- dale's.”<ref name=":3" />''</blockquote>As of 2023, Lynn Ban has been married to former MTV producer and reporter, Jett Kain for over 2 decades.<ref name=":2" /> Jett currently works with his wife as a business partner, managing press and marketing for Lynn Ban Jewelry.<ref name=":1" /> They share a son, Sebastian who is currently enrolled at a boarding school in London.<ref name=":1" />
=== Early life ===
As a child, Lynn Ban would travel between and live in various countries, including the US, Hong Kong, and Singapore.<ref name=":2" /> She was born in Singapore but due to her father’s job abroad, her family moved to New York City when she was four years old.<ref name=":1" /> Later on, they would move to Hong Kong, before settling back in Singapore in 1987.<ref name=":1" /><blockquote>''“He was a banker at the time. When the opportunity to work abroad came up, we all went. It’s a classic immigrant story. He studied in business school while he worked.”<ref name=":1" />''</blockquote>
=== Education ===
In the past, Lynn pursued art history and literature at Cornell and New York University (Gallatin School of Individualised Studies).''<ref name=":3" />'' For a brief period of 2 years, she also studied art history at the Paris-Sorbonne University.''<ref name=":3" />''

Prior to that, she began her early education at The Fleming School in New York, before enrolling at the Singapore American School when her family returned to Singapore in 1987.''<ref name=":3" />''
== Financial status ==
=== Net worth ===
According to ZULA SG, Lynn Ban has a net worth of about USD 5 million, which is nearly SGD 7 million.<ref name=":2" />
=== Personal fashion archive ===
[[File:Lynn Ban is Aspen.jpg|thumb|''Lynn Ban dressed up for an Aspen ski trip. Photo from [https://www.instagram.com/p/Cmclgf0uJq_/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link Instagram].'' ]]
Lynn Ban is known for her bold and confident fashion choices, and has confirmed that she owns everything that she wears.<ref name=":4">Socha, Miles. “[https://wwd.com/eye/people/bling-empire-new-york-fashion-cast-ban-1235383381/ Lynn Ban Brings Career Angle to ‘Bling Empire’]”. ''WWD''. October 12, 2022. Accessed 17 February 2023.</ref> With a wardrobe that is “100 percent [hers]”, Lynn Ban’s personal collection boasts an impressive ensemble that ranges from vintage couture pieces from Thierry Mugler, Versace, and Dior to more recent pieces from Rick Owens, Balenciaga, and Maison Margiela.<ref name=":4" />
== Businesses ==
=== Genki Sushi USA (1996 to 2001) ===
After graduating from university in 1996, Lynn decided to follow in her father’s entrepreneurial footsteps to bring Genki Sushi to the United States.''<ref name=":3" />'' The first branch was set up in Manhattan, before a second one was opened at the World Financial Centre.''<ref name=":3" />'' During this time, Lynn sought advice from her experienced father, but was also able to learn and adapt to a managerial role quickly.<blockquote>''“"Lynn was always determined to do well, whether it was in school or at work. She grew up talking shop with me, so when she showed an entrepreneurial streak, I was more than happy to have her try something different."<ref name=":3" />''</blockquote>However, the September 11 attacks in 2001 caused the business to shut down, and Lynn sold the New York franchise in 2002.''<ref name=":3" />''
=== Lynn Ban Vintage (2002 to 2011) ===
In 2002, Lynn Ban started her vintage fashion business, which stemmed from her love for fashion.''<ref name=":3" />'' As a teenage girl, Lynn’s favourite pastime was to collect vintage fashion, which she found “fun and exciting”.''<ref name=":3" />''

In 2002, she began to turn this hobby into a viable business venture, after her cousin introduced her to the fashion designer Donna Karan.''<ref name=":3" />'' She worked hard to source vintage lifestyle and fashion items for the designer. Soon, she was able to stock her pieces in luxury department stores like Barneys and Harvey Nichols.''<ref name=":3" />''

Overtime, her work helped her build up a network of private contacts, while her impressive archives attracted the attention of stylists and designers, who began to borrow pieces for editorial shoots.''<ref name=":3" />''

However, in 2011, she began focusing her attention on designing jewellery. Thus, her vintage business came to a halt.''<ref name=":3" />''
=== Lynn Ban Jewelry (2011 to Present) ===
[[File:Grimes wearing pieces from Lynn Ban Jewelry.jpg|thumb|''Musical artist Grimes sporting cuffs from Lynn Ban Jewelry. Photo from [https://www.instagram.com/p/B9WnbgKB7RW/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link Instagram].'' ]]
Lynn Ban Jewelry is known for its dramatic aesthetic, as well as its A-list clientele. Despite her brand’s unconventional and unique designs, Lynn Ban chose to stay true to her own sense of style.''<ref name=":3" />'' Many of Lynn Bann Jewelry’s pieces retail at four- to five-figure prices.<ref name=":2" /><blockquote>''"In the beginning, the jewellers were a bit taken aback by the hard edge and unconventional designs but over time, they really embraced my aesthetic."<ref name=":3" />''</blockquote>According to an interview with The Straits Times, the production process for each collection can take anywhere between 8 to 10 weeks.''<ref name=":3" />'' During this time, Lynn would come up with her own designs before working with sketch artists who produce the technical drawings to be used for production.<blockquote>''"The years of studying and researching the past cultivated a desire to create something in the present too."<ref name=":3" />''</blockquote>Today, Lynn Ban Jewelry has helped to accessorise a host of celebrities, including Beyoncé, Rihanna, CL, and Billie Eilish.<ref name=":0" /> Many of its pieces have also been spotted on the spreads of major international publications like Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and ELLE.<ref name=":0" />
==== Propelled to fashion stardom by Rihanna (2012) ====
[[File:Rihanna wearing Lynn Ban Jewelry.png|thumb|''Rihanna sports multiple ear cuffs from Lynn Ban Jewelry. Photo from [https://lynnban.com/projects Lynn Ban].'']]
In May 2012, the singer Rihanna took to the American Idol stage wearing a Lynn Ban Jewelry cuff.''<ref name=":3" />'' This proved to be the jewellery line’s big break, and it only continued to receive more requests from celebrity clients.

As Lynn Ban Jewelry’s first celebrity client, Rihanna also continued to endorse the brand for her performances and SAVAGE X FENTY campaigns.<ref name=":1" />''<ref name=":3" />'' The pop star has also once called Lynn her “fairy godmother” on an Instagram post.''<ref name=":3" />''
==== Business affected by the pandemic (2020-2022) ====
During the Covid-19 pandemic, businesses across the world experienced slowdowns and crises, and Lynn Ban Jewelry was no exception.<ref name=":4" /> As a result, Lynn had to cut down on distribution of her products, including restricting the business to private commissions.<ref name=":4" />

However, she made plans to relaunch it in 2023, with a new resort collection for the Como hotel chain.<ref name=":4" />
=== Bling Empire (2023) ===
[[File:Lynn Ban on the Bling Empire red carpet.jpg|thumb|''Lynn Ban at the red carpet premiere for Bling Empire: New York. Photo from [https://www.instagram.com/p/Cnm4EwHO5TM/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link Instagram].'']]
In January 2023, Lynn Ban made her reality show debut on the Netflix series, Bling Empire: New York.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> She is joined by fellow cast members Dorothy Wang, Tina Leung, Stephen Hung, Deborah Valdez-Hung, Blake Abbie, Richard Chang, Vika Abbyaeva, as well as her husband Jett Kain.<ref>Netflix. “[https://www.netflix.com/sg/title/81512574 Bling Empire: New York]”. ''Netflix SG''. n.d. Accessed 17 February 2023.</ref>
== References/citations ==
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[[Category:People of Interest]]