CHINA. Swarovski is celebrating its almost 130-year history with a grand exhibition in Shanghai showcasing the brand’s classic jewellery collections and haute couture pieces, some of them from its century-old collection.
The exhibition, which kicked off on 20 September, is being held at the Museum of Contemporary Art Shanghai in Shanghai until 9 October.
Titled ‘Swarovski – Masters of Light from Vienna to Shanghai’, this event is a tribute to the crystal Maison’s artistry and savoir-faire and its cultural influence throughout its 128 years.
The luxury house was founded in 1895 by Daniel Swarovski, who travelled to Paris, providing its early couturiers with new cuts and colours, and fresh inspiration.
Since the Golden Age of Hollywood until today, Swarovski crystals have sparkled in many illustrious moments, including in classic films and on the red carpet.
Among the highlights will be the public debut of the brand’s array of stage costumes and red-carpet ensembles, including those from the Swarovski Heritage Collection.
The exhibition shines the light on three themes: Swarovski’s Austrian heritage, the savoir-faire it has preserved throughout generations at its headquarters in the Tirolean Alps, and its relationship with fashion and pop culture.
The event will present the crystal house’s memorable journey, from 19th-century Vienna – the birthplace of Swarovski – to 21st-century Shanghai.
There will also be a showcase of the brand’s innovative crystal pieces – it now has more than 300,000 varieties of crystal hues, cuts and effects.
The crystal company will offer a glimpse of its future designs, which include fine jewellery collections crafted with Swarovski-created diamonds.
These jewels are set with laboratory-grown diamonds that have the same composition, hardness, brilliance and fire as mined diamonds – the only difference is how they originate, the company noted.
Swarovski’s jewellery collections are crafted under the leadership of Global Creative Director Giovanna Engelbert, who sets a new creative vision for the company. ✈
