Swarovski’s First Fine Jewellery Atelier Collection celebrates Mosaic, Art Deco and Concentric themes.

“Inspired by nature and driven by science," Swarovski's new fine jewellery atelier collection combines luxury and innovation, featuring "Swarovski Created Diamonds" and crystals, handcrafted in a Parisian atelier.

This new collection celebrates Swarovski's 10th year collaborating with the world’s greatest design talents.

Created exclusively for the red carpet, the collection includes necklaces, bracelets, earrings and rings were inspired by three key themes: Mosaic, Art Deco and Concentric.

According to its press release, Swarovski Created Diamonds are grown in a “state-of-the-art lab and have the same optical, chemical and physical attributes as mined diamonds. Both are 100% carbon, both have the same hardness and brilliance. This Atelier Swarovski Fine Jewellery Collection reflects an integral part of Swarovski’s heritage of craftsmanship, innovation and excellence as well as a commitment to sustainable practices. “

 Retail versions of the Atelier Swarovski red carpet pieces will be available in 2018.

Best known for its iconic "crystal" and lab-created gemstone jewellery, Swarovski announced in 2015 (when the brand celebrated its 120th anniversary) that it  was stepping up its presence in the high-end market with the release of a new collection that features diamonds set in sterling silver and 14-carat yellow and rose gold.

The move allowed Swarovski to target a new consumer base – jewellery prices range from US$125 to US$1,450 – as part of its 2020 Vision brand development programme.

Although often associated with fashion-focused jewellery, Swarovski had released previously in the category of fine jewellery collection, a range in China as well as another in collaboration with jewellery designer Matthew Campbell Laurenza via its Atelier Swarovski division.

Angular crystal stones and tribal colours form Swarovski's new jewellery inspiration for Autumn/Winter 2017/18

The new season hones in on the crucial human-identity-defining activities of eating, working and travelling, under the influential notion of sustainability and ethical behaviours, with tribal patterns and colours to project the new inspirations for jewellery, according to Austria's leading crystal authority, Swarovski.

Richly fanciful textiles playing up theatrical and spectral decorations as
seen at Premiere Vision Paris fair in September 2016.
To read Swarovski's trend analysis, click HERE. 

Judging from designer collections recently seen on European catwalks, and at major international trade fairs, bold decorative elements and opulent surface treatments bordering on excess are the way forward in a world dominated by technology.

Crystal jewellery with edgy gender-neutral designs forge one of the key trend influences from Swarovski.
New for Autumn-Winter 17-18 include BeCharmed Beads and angular crystals, Dark Rainbow effects, amd metal tones.

For Autumn/Winter 2017/18, the overall title is "The Nature of Us".

Click HERE to read in full.

All photos © Lucia Carpio.

Jean Paul Gaultier goes KAPUTT for Swarovski

In German, the word Kaputt means “broken”.  And that is the name for a new collection of crystals from the Austrian house of Swarovski, designed by French haute couture ‘rebel’ and design genius, Jean Paul Gaultier who champions the art of ‘imperfection’ for the new family of Kaputt crystals.

Photo courtesy of Swarovski

Accordingly, following a visit to Swarovski headquarters in 2013, Gaulter was inspired to create a crystal design of his own and felt that the only way to make something that is already perfect, was to make it new by adding a unique touch of imperfection.

Combined with the technical expertise of Swarovski, Gaultier’s creative idea came into fruition a year later, after much experimentation and adjustments, and the new Kaputt collection was created featuring multi-faceted stones with random rugged surfaces and enhanced by a contrasting effect between clear and matt glass finish.  

The new collection are to complement Swwarovski's Autumn/Winter 2016-17 collection, and consists of two pendants and three fancy stones in rich shimmering metallic colours that highlight the stones' irregular forms.  

Perfectly imperfect – as Gaultier likes it. 

Additionally to complement the Kaputt collection are stones and pearls in a Crystal Scrabaeus Green effect.  The stunning colour is mesmerising, as these take on colours that consist of a combination of green, alternating with blue-purple and tarnished copper like those of the scarab beetle once worshipped by the ancient Egyptians. According to Wikipedia, the scarab was seen as “a symbol of (a) heavenly cycle and of the idea of rebirth or regeneration."

Inspiration for the design also came from the Verdigris roof of the Paris Opera House - a bright bluish-green encrustation or patina formed on copper or brass by atmospheric oxidation, consisting of basic copper carbonate.  The story goes that when Gaultier was a young lad, he would frequently go past the opera house and was fascinated by the green colouring of the tarnished copper roof.

(Click HERE to go to “This is Personal”, to learn how you can customise your unique Swarovski crystal to create a bespoke gem for your own personalised jewellery.)

All photos by Lucia Carpio for My Fashion Connect unless otherwise captioned.

Fabric Inspirations from Swarovski to enhance the pattern and floral print trend

Just a week ago, I was treated to a preview of wonderful presentation of original Liberty fabrics and floral prints which continue to entice us today, and the current exhibitions Liberty in Fashion and the The Art of Pattern both at the Fashiom and Textile Museum present a myriad of design ideas for fashionistas and designers alike.

A couple of days ago, I was shown by leading Austrian crystal house Swarovski how they can add glamour and sparkle by proposing a number of ways to enhance fabric patterns and prints.

Rather than following the lines of the motifs, Swarovski arrange crystals in the shape of feathers and leaves as shown in the picture above, and on the iconic Liberty fabric below, Swarovski crystals and stones add a touch of fantasy to the Art Nouveau pattern.

Swarovski design experts customise and add surface interest by applying a selection of crystal stones in various shapes and beads of different colour effects to these fabrics below, lifting the patterns off the fabric.  They do give designers much food for thought indeed.

Photos by Lucia Carpio for My Fashion Connect.

Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty opens at the V&A London, co-presented by Swarovski

The much-hyped retrospective exhibition Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty has finally come home to London, the "epicentre" of McQueen's creative life, opening at the Victoria & Albert Museum today.

At the Opening Gala, the crème de la crème of the world of fashion, film, royalty and glamour descended onto the V&A for a black-tie do, decked in black, lace and sculptural shapes for a dramatic edge, in the spirit of McQueen.  

Highlights of the gala event and details of the exhibition which is open until 2 August can be viewed on the V&A website.  

Click Here.

THE POWER OF BELIEF (Glamour) is one of Swarovski's
main themes for Spring/Summer 2016. Sacred iconography is re-imagined for a modern era.

As co-presenter of the Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty exhibition, Swarovski - the global house of cut crystal and fashion jewellery - has been associated with McQueen since the 1990s when Isabella Blow introduced the young designer to Nadja Swarovski.  This led to numerous collaborations starting with supporting McQueen’s 1999 collection as well as the creation, alongside Tord Boontje, of the V&A’s Grand Entrance crystal Christmas tree in 2003; and the dramatic Swarovski Gemstone-encrusted Bird’s Nest Headdress for his Autumn/Winter 2006 collection. Swarovski has worked with designers since Daniel Swarovski’s precision-cut crystals became much-valued ingredients in the dressmaking ateliers of Paris, beginning the tradition of close collaboration between Swarovski and haute couture that remains to this day.

Looking at the innovations of Swarovski’s new collection for Spring/Summer 2016, Swarovski focuses the direction of its design innovations on the human quest for happiness, strength,  hope and fulfilment, and the importance of visual representation as a way of expressing these desires. 

Four sub-themes for Spring/Summer 2016 have been identified, with their corresponding crystal innovations: The Blossoming of Happiness (Classic); The Nature of Strength (Progressive); The Mythology of Hope (Romantic); The Power of Belief (Glamour).

Swarovski has attributed the season’s inspiration to simply “Between Heaven and Earth”, featuring a collection of loose crystal assortment of cuts, colours, effects and line extensions, 

  THE MYTHOLOGY OF HOPE (Romantic) is another of Swarovski's theme for Spring/summer 2016.

Modern yet mythological, romantic design takes its influence from ancient Greek goddesses, folkloric winged creatures, and the soft dappled light of dawn and dusk. 

The two photos above are among the inspirational images provided by Swarovski from their new Spring Summer 2016 collection.  I have included them here because to me they seem to embody the spirit of McQueen, who is regarded by many not only as a maverick designer, but also an artist.  The Savage Beauty exhibition at the V&A is a celebration of McQueen's life's work, his talent, skills and creativity that elevated him above the rest of his generation.

Harrods and Disney celebrate the Cinderella movie with magical window displays

London's iconic department store Harrods and Disney have unveiled a series of magical window displays, which bring to life iconic scenes from the new Disney live-action Cinderella film, inspired by the classic fairy tale.  

The Wedding Scene

During the month-long celebration of Cinderella, Harrods is offering the opportunity to view the sparkling glass slipper created by Swarovski and stunning original costumes designed by Academy Award® winner Sandy Powell for the new film.  

Swarovski in collaboration with Sandy Powell have provided more than 1.7 million crystals for the costumes and create a unique slipper fit for a princess.  The glass slipper worn by Cinderella, played by Lily James will also be displayed in a Harrods window.

If the shoe fits.

Six scenes from the film have been recreated in the Harrods windows, bringing to life Cinderella’s magical journey of courage and kindness.

Additionally, luxury designer shoes and collections inspired by the iconic Disney Princess can be viewed along the Harrods' Brompton Road façade, providing a window into the magical Cinderella product offering and experiences in store.   

Jimmy Choo

World-renowned shoe designers Paul Andrew, Alexandre Birman, Rene Caovilla, Jimmy Choo, Salvatore Ferragamo, Nicholas Kirkwood, Charlotte Olympia, Jerome Rousseau and Stuart Weitzman have created nine styles inspired by a reimagining of the iconic glass slipper that Cinderella leaves behind at the ball. 

Stuart Weitzman

The shoes will feature in the Harrods Brompton Road windows and will also be available to exclusively purchase from Harrods Shoe Heaven on the Fifth Floor.

Cinderella's Glass Slipper re-imagined by top designer footwear designers and brands

Feast your eyes on these glamorous and elegant ladies footwear.

Stuart Weitzman

Disney is celebrating the European premiere of its highly anticipated live action film “Cinderella” at the Berlin Film Festival, and has revealed for the first time an enchanting collection of re-imagined Cinderella’s iconic glass slipper.  It was at this festival that the movie "Fifty Shades of Grey" was premiered earlier this week.

Jimmy Choo

The captivating collection was on display at the Cinderella Exhibit and presented by the Austrian crystal company, Swarovski.

Paul Andrew

Disney has collaborated with 11 renowned shoe designers and luxury designer shoe brands across the globe on the project. The designers in alphabetical order are: Paul Andrew, Alexandre Birman, Manolo Blahnik, Rene Caovilla, Jimmy Choo, Salvatore Ferragamo, Nicholas Kirkwood, Christian Louboutin, Charlotte Olympia, Jerome C. Rousseau, and Stuart Weitzman.  A few of their desirable creations are shown here.

Nicholas Kirkwood

 “We’re delighted to reveal the collection for the first time here in Berlin; it is a wonderful moment for everyone involved in this spectacular global project,” said David Lee, Director, Footwear, The Walt Disney Company EMEA. 

Jerome C. Rousseau

“It has been truly inspiring working with such passionate designers and the shoes they are presenting are exquisite. They have skillfully captured Cinderella’s elegance and style in their interpretations of her iconic glass slipper. The end result is a great example of how we at Disney can work with fashion brands to create one-of-a-kind imaginative products.”