Its great history the world famous brand Swarovski starts from the end of the XIX century. Born in the heart of Europe, Austrian Innsbruck in 1895, the company evolved from a small family business into an international giant of artificial crystals market. The secret to continued success of Swarovski lies in the unique combination of traditional craftsmanship, precision, performance and the latest technologies introduced in the production and cut of crystals. Being not the only activity, the creation of jewelry is still a priority for the company. At the same time, in addition to presenting their own collections twice a year in Paris during prêt-à-porter weeks, Swarovski actively collaborates all over the world with clothes and jewelry designers using crystals in their prêt-à-porter and haute couture collections.
Nathalie Colin, the Creative Director of the company, took up the post in 2006. Nathalie does not cease to amaze the charmed audience with her talent, each new season inviting us to a fairy trip into a bewitching world of magic invented by her, embodied in a frozen and at the same time volatile multi-faceted beauty of the stone.
The new fall-winter 2013-2014 jewelry collection is named «Secret Treasures». This theme is inspired by memories of the imaginary journey by the Great Silk Road, which runs from medieval China to the Himalayas, and then through multicolor India to distant Venice. Natalie, a passionate traveler, admits that the creation of the collection was influenced by her trips to Asia. In the “Secret Treasures” she placed the legends of the past into a contemporary context, combining seasonal fashion trends and the timeless consistency of style.
In the “Chinese” part of the collection the oriental symbolism of yin and yang is illustrated in the “Stone” theme, while the “Velour” is inspired by the unique weaving of traditional, amazing by their flexibility, Chinese costumes. It is worth paying attention to the big earrings – a key trend of the season.
“Himalayas” are represented by organic line that reflects the magical beauty of the “Roof of the World” – disappearing in the clouds mountains, vast forests and harsh silence of eternal glaciers. In harmony with the nature, this part of the collection is characterized by cold winter tones.
To create a rich in color “Indian” line, Natalie invited to cooperate Shourouk – a talented jewelry designer of Tunisian origin. Shourouk, having previously used Swarovski crystals in their own collections, this time on a request of the creative director of Swarovski created within the “Secret Treasures” the necklace “Vanity” – a massive and at the same time flexible necklace, in which the crystals are attached to the braided cord.
In the “Venice” comes to life the Baroque theme with the splendor of misty palaces and squares. Metal bracelets in the form of cuffs, which became a bestseller, are covered with a layer of pink gold. Bracelet “Vermeil” – the quintessence of this part of the collection – attracts the attention by a large cabochon in the center, the surface of which is composed of small hand-placed crystals.
Versatility, adaptability to any situation – be it a daily trip to the office or a special occasion, the principle that guides Nathalie Colin when creating her collections, is modern and timely. After all, in the age of mass consumption this is jewels that help us maintain our individuality.
Photo credits: Swarovski