Atelier Swarovski

FIONA JAMES GETS INTRIGUED BY ATELIER SWAROVSKI’S AW14 COLLECTION WHICH SEES
THE MASTER OF PRESTIGE CRYSTALS COLLABORATE WITH THREE RENOWNED DESIGNERS.
Atelier Swarovski
LOOKING THROUGH
The Crystal G
S
warovski
is one of the
most
prestigious
jewellery brands in the
world and the leading producer
of precision-cut crystal for fashion,
jewellery, lighting, architecture and
interiors. The legacy of this influential
and esteemed company began when Daniel
Swarovski, a Bohemian inventor and visionary
moved to the village of Wattens, Tyrol in Austria
in 1895, with his newly-invented machine for cutting
and polishing crystal jewellery stones. It was this very
machine that revolutionised the jewellery and fashion
world.Today, the company is still family-owned and run
by 5th generation family members, with a presence in
over 120 countries. As well as producing and selling
loose elements to the industry, Swarovski also create
design-driven finished products. Since 1965, the
company has catered to the fine jewellery industry
with precision-cut genuine gemstones and created
stones. Their own line of accessories, jewellery and
home décor are sold through more than 2,350 retail
outlets worldwide. The Swarovski Crystal Society has
close to 300,000 members across the world, consisting
of keen collectors of the celebrated crystal figurines.
To celebrate Swarovski’s universe of innovation and
inspiration, Swarovski Kristallwelten, the multi-media
crystal museum was opened in Wattens in 1995.
For their autumn/winter 2014 collection, Atelier
Swarovski has collaborated with some of the
strongest names in fashion, jewellery and design.
These include avant-garde fashion house Viktor &
Rolf, founded by Dutch designers Viktor Horsting
and Rolf Snoeren, luxury scarf designer Emma J
Shipley, and Chinese fashion designer Ye Mingzi,
in addition to the luxurious Core Collection. The
Atelier Swarovski collection by Viktor & Rolf consists
of striking statement pieces set with sparkling and
matte crystals in Black Diamond and Jet colour ways,
with two ranges that explore the effect of texture,
matte and shine. The first, Velvet Rock uses a new
technique in which crystals are embedded within
velvet flocking, while the second, Frozen Crystal
juxtaposes matte and sparkling crystals. Within
these collections, the graphic, cut-out designs
evoke a youthful fresh look with a rebellious
feel, whilst the fashion-forward flocking
provides a luxurious textured contrast
to the highly polished crystal stones. The
Viktor & Rolf pieces include the Velvet Rock
Choker and Double Ring in Jet, and Velvet
Rock Wide Cuff and Rock Hoop Earrings in
Black Diamond.
Luxury scarf designer Emma J Shipley’s
designs are skilful and distinctive which
combines her exquisite pencil drawings with a bold
but refined use of colour to create luxury scarves
made from the finest natural Italian fabrics. Her
collection for Atelier Swarovski takes its inspiration
from the elegance, beauty and power of the snow
leopard, one of the most endangered big cats. The
collection consists of silk and cashmere blend of
scarves, bold jewellery pieces, and scarf accessories
in the form of the stylised leopard. These exquisite
pieces are embellished with hundreds of geometric
crystals that express the unique irregular pattern
of the leopard’s spots.The scarves also depict the
snow leopard, with ice-like geometric crystal
shapes growing and shattering away from its
body. The Emma J Shipley pieces include
the Leo Bracelet in Golden Shadow,
Arthemis Bracelet and Petra Ring
in White Opal and Montana, Leo
Ring in Red Magma and Scarf
in Gold.
Meanwhile, Chinese
fashion
designer
Ye Mingzi is best
known
for
creating
stunning