New York, NY — December 2025

New York’s creative community gathered on December 6th for “Light Between Us,” the first-ever event hosted by Ling Meng, founder of the contemporary jewelry brand lING. Co-led with fashion designer Shun Oyama, creator of PALATI1997, the evening transformed Upon the Palace (a Chinese fine dining restaurant located in Tribeca) into a multidisciplinary environment of live art, performance, and emerging technology. 

Upon the Palace, a premier Asian Fusion restaurant in Tribeca, New York, seamlessly blends the grandeur of ancient China with modern culinary artistry. Known for its bold flavors, fresh ingredients, and handcrafted sushi, Upon the Palace offers an immersive dining experience inspired by the legendary Epang Palace. Whether for a relaxed lunch, luxurious dinner, or celebratory gathering, guests are treated to an environment that is both refined and dynamic.

With more than one hundred guests in attendance—including entrepreneurs, artists, government officials, supermodels, influencers, and members of New York’s cultural network—the event signaled the arrival of two rising creative voices shaping the future of the city’s independent design scene.

Introducing Ling Meng: A New Creative Force in New York

Originally from China and now based in New York, Ling Meng represents the increasingly cross-disciplinary direction of contemporary creative work. She holds a Master’s degree in Design Management from Pratt Institute, where she trained in strategic innovation and creative leadership.

Before entering the design world, Ling spent over a decade studying classical music, winning awards in bel canto competitions. At 17, she won the championship title in a major modeling competition, later appearing in fashion weeks and brand campaigns across Asia and the U.S.

These diverse artistic experiences now converge in her brand lING, which approaches jewelry as a medium for emotion, identity, and contemporary craftsmanship. “Light Between Us” marked Ling’s first time hosting an event of her own, signaling the beginning of a new chapter in her creative trajectory.

The Collaborative Vision of Ling × Shun Oyama

The event’s aesthetic coherence and spatial rhythm were shaped jointly by Ling and Shun Oyama, founder and designer of PALATI1997. Known for sculptural silhouettes and conceptual craftsmanship, Shun has shown multiple seasons at New York Fashion Week, earning recognition for his architectural approach to fashion and his sensitivity to atmosphere.

At “Light Between Us,” Shun’s understanding of space, movement, and emotional tone helped shape the evening’s visual identity—bringing his fashion language into conversation with Ling’s jewelry narrative.

Together, Ling and Shun form a creative duo whose partnership bridges jewelry, fashion, and contemporary art. Their collaboration reflects a broader shift in New York’s cultural landscape, where design is increasingly treated as a fluid, multidisciplinary language.

“Light Between Us”: A Theme About Human Connection

The evening was built around the theme “Light Between Us,” a concept Ling uses to describe the intangible connection that arises when people gather around creativity.

Rather than functioning as a slogan, the theme served as the philosophical anchor of the event—positioning creativity as a subtle “light” that moves between individuals, shaping empathy, resonance, and shared experience. This framework distinguished the gathering from traditional pop-ups and gave the night its emotional center.

Live Art as the Emotional Core

A series of live performances defined the atmosphere:

• Michelle Warchol presented a live sculpture that invited collective stillness.
• Dasha Bough led a collaborative painting session, transforming guests into co-creators.
• Katya Goltseva performed live painting alongside a jewelry showcase, merging fine art with contemporary ornament.
• DJ Marrow curated the sonic landscape, guiding the emotional tempo of the night.

These performances created an immersive environment where art served not only as expression but as connection.

A Subtle Touch of Technology: lING × New York Culture Club

A notable highlight of the evening was the introduction of NFC-enabled jewelry, created through a collaboration with Brian, founder of New York Culture Club.

The activation added a subtle technological layer—suggesting how digital interaction can expand the narrative potential of contemporary jewelry without overshadowing its craftsmanship.

This collaboration hinted at lING’s future direction:
merging tactile beauty with modern connectivity.

Documenting the Night

The evening’s narrative was captured by:

• Videographer Jelani Paul, who preserved the movement and atmosphere of the night.
• Photographer Jorge Andres Franco, who documented its aesthetic and emotional details.
• Hairstylist Mami, who shaped Ling’s visual presence for her first hosted event.

Their work ensures that the essence of “Light Between Us” continues beyond the evening itself.

A Gathering That Signals Cultural Momentum

Attendees described the event as intentional, intimate, and creatively charged—noting its rare synthesis of jewelry, fashion, art, and technology.

For a first-time hosted event, the turnout and response exceeded expectations, positioning lING, Ling Meng, and Shun Oyama as emerging contributors to New York’s evolving multidisciplinary creative movement.

A New Beginning

By weaving together jewelry, fashion, art, and technology, “Light Between Us” marks a defining new chapter for lING, and for the collaborative vision of Ling Meng and Shun Oyama.

Their work embodies a cultural shift in New York—one led by young designers who approach creativity without boundaries, using their disciplines not as limits, but as languages.

As Ling and Shun continue to expand their partnership, the evening stands not only as a milestone but as a preview of the cultural impact they are poised to bring to the city’s future.

lING Jewelry_official:  Lingjewelry_official

Ling: blessedlingg

Shun: shunthedesigner