Swarovski Exhibition Dazzles in Milan
MILAN — It’s an easy pun, but Swarovski’s exhibition in Milan is nothing short of dazzling.
The Austrian brand is offering a veritable treasure trove with its “Masters of Light: From Vienna to Milan” exhibition, which was unveiled on Sunday with an event that attracted the likes of Jessica Alba and Gwyneth Paltrow.
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Giovanna Engelbert, Swarovski’s global creative director, said the exhibition emphasizes the brand’s “rich history, and its collaborations with the biggest fashion houses and pop icons. It’s a true journey of wonder, discovery, dream, and joy that celebrates Swarovski’s craftsmanship.”
The exhibition showcases more than 50 crystal-embellished outfits designed by the likes of Prada and Miu Miu, Fendi Couture, Gucci, Atelier Versace pieces designed by Gianni Versace and Donatella Versace, and Armani Privé by Giorgio Armani, as well as Alexander McQueen, Louis Vuitton, Thierry Mugler Couture and Vivienne Westwood. An exceptional 1895 couture gown by the House of Worth is shown alongside the first design by Christopher Kane after graduation as the garments are paired “in a visual and intellectual dialogue,” said fashion critic and curator Alexander Fury. This section is dubbed “Future History.”
In the Pop Icons section, stage costumes and red carpet looks from the Swarovski Heritage Collection go as far back as the ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in the 1939 iconic film “The Wizard of Oz” and one of Josephine Baker’s sparkling bralettes, to Harry Styles’ Swarovski-encrusted jumpsuit from Egonlab at the Grammy Awards last year, Katy Perry’s 2019 Met Gala chandelier dress by Jeremy Scott for Moschino and Doja Cat’s red crystallized Schiaparelli couture dress last year.
This is the first leg of the exhibition in Europe after debuting in Shanghai, with several changes and adaptations to the venue, the newly restored 18th century Palazzo Citterio. Chief executive officer Alexis Nasard said “there is no more natural place than Milan, the capital of design, art and fashion” for the exhibition, touting the visit as “an artistic treasure hunt.”
In addition to the Future History and Pop Icons themes, the others are: roaming through a chronology of the brand (Time Chamber); a specially curated kaleidoscope of Swarovski’s statement bijoux (Jewelry Box); the house’s first lab-grown diamond collection (Diamonds of the Future), and its capturing of light through crystal (Masters of Light).
Also newly introduced to the Milanese iteration of the show is Mathemagical, a chamber devoted to Swarovski’s savoir-faire in crystal making and jewelry artisanship. Additionally, this space showcases the jewelry couture looks created by Engelbert for this year’s Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Gala in New York.
The exhibition will be open to the public free of charge until July 14.
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