The Story Of Orlando (a.k.a. Kevin C.Y. Lau)

ORLANDO DE MELO --- an inspiring partial brain injury survivor & an Asian-Canadian multi media Artist from Vancouver, British Columbia, CANADA. Orlando is a remarkable Human Miracle.

Orlando discovered his own artistic talent at a very young age. At age 10 without knowing much about the Fashion business, he had already created his first Amateur Ladies Fashion Collection with over 25 different outfit designs in sketches. 3 years later, honored by a British businessman in Fashion, Orlando was invited to travel to London England to attend his first experience of a high end fashion show, and experienced his memorable first peek to the fashion industry & the modeling world. Enchanted by the glamorous colors and the different shapes & forms of textile fabrics, he embraced his flare in Fashion Design throughout his academic years in Hong Kong, USA & Canada; and explored a wide range of possibilities in fashion styles & designs through different cultures. Soon after his education in 1991, Orlando stepped into the World of Fashion Garments and has been a respected contributor & influence as a Store Buyer, Fashion Merchandiser, Fashion Stylist, Visual Merchandiser and Visual Presentation Member.

In late 1996, an unexpected tragic accident struck his dream of becoming a Fashion Designer in detour. The result of the intensive medical emergency is a near death experience and a devastating invisible disability --- partial brain injury. Overwhelmed and confused by the unfamiliar damage, Orlando realized the need of a major retreat. Without much option, his journey in the Fashion Industry suddenly reached to a temporary end --- a retirement at a young age of 26.

During his rehabilitation at home, he learned a lot about Self & Life and the connection between Body, Mind, and Spirit/Soul. He also gained some knowledge on many alternative healing therapies by experimenting them during his recovery. Although it took Orlando 2 years to understand his new identity, he has never given up the power of his creativity nor his desire to design during these sensitive times. In late 1998, Orlando had a sudden breakthrough and he transformed himself into a new, yet familiar, fashion related world --- Modeling World. He had his first professional photo shoot done in that same year for an award winning hair stylist in Vancouver. By 1999, his face was in SALON Magazine nationwide. Fascinated by the diversity of this new found art form, Orlando took on every opportunity and continuously expressed himself in an on going modeling voyage up to date.

In summer 1999, he started his adventure in making Digital Artwork & Digital Photography. In late 1999, Orlando expanded his talents and created his functional, fashionable, and therapeutic Artist-Made Beading Jewelry line --- ORLANDO DE MELO DESIGNS. Up to today, he had created more than 1200 different designs. His favorite media are natural semi-precious gemstones, fresh water pearls,art glass, crystal glass, and precious metals. Gifted with an unlimited opened mind, his exquisite works are always original and portrays superb skills of craftsmanship. His sensational imagination, unique expression, and appreciation of Mother Nature are all captured in his jewelry work. In addition of promoting timeless beauty, most of his jewelry pieces contain nourishing therapeutic functions such as Color Therapy, Aura & Charkas Energy Balancing, Gemstone Healing, and other New Age Spirituality elements such as Oracles & Symbolism; excellent for meditations and self growth.

In near future, ORLANDO DE MELO DESIGNS will be expanded into 7 different jewelry lines for different target customers with different price point ranging from US$30 to US$1000+. Here are the brief introductions of the 7 jewelry lines:

• ORLANDO DE MELO Artist Exclusive Beading Jewelry Line

• MIAO DE MELO Artist Exclusive Beading Wearable Art

• MADE WITH LOVE Beading Jewelry Line

• MADE WITH LOVE-4-U Handcrafted Bridal Jewelry Line

• MADE WITH LIGHT Healing Jewelry Line

• ODM Fashion Jewelry Line

• MdM Fashion Jewelry Line

As a member of EBSQ, a Self-Representing Artist Organization, Orlando de Melo offers official digital certificates of authenticity for his jewelry artwork, and these are available upon request with no extra cost.

Currently, besides working on the beading jewelry, Orlando is working on Light/Energy Artwork using special pencil colors on black papers. He is also recycling used material such as postal stamps, wine/juice/matchbox labels, and wrapping papers etc to make artistic collages, picture frames, bookmarks, and greeting cards.

Since 2005, on top of creating the jewelry lines, Orlando has re-started his life of being a Visual Merchandiser, executing visual displays, fixturing requirements, and store planograms for retailers in malls, chain stores, individual shops, carts & kiosk across British Columbia & Alberta Canada, and Washington State USA. Service also include store set-up and transformation applications for a wide range of retail categories such as Prestige Duty Free, Cosmetics, Health, Fashions, Accessories, Home Furnishings, Souvenirs, Stationery, Specialty Food, Children’s Categories, Entertainment etc.

To view Orlando’s EBSQ art group portfolio, please go to: http://orlandodemelo.ebsqart.com

To view a complete photo gallery of Orlando’s jewelry artwork, & other artwork, please go to: http://community.webshots.com/user/orlandodemelo

To view Orlando’s modeling portfolio, please go to: http://www.onemodelplace.com/model_list.cfm?ID=65333

If you have any question, OR if you want Orlando to custom made a commission based Jewelry piece for you & your loved ones, please contact Orlando at: orlandodemelo@hotmail.com

THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTERESTS & THANK YOU FOR LOOKING! MANY BLESSINGS WITH LOVE!