Swarovski’s first major brand exhibition makes its global premiere at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Shanghai, showcasing the brand’s rich heritage including crystal-embellished couture pieces from Christian Dior, Gucci and Guo Pei alongside shimmering red carpet looks worn by pop icons Harry Styles and Rihanna. At this dazzling occasion, rising young star and fashionista ‘Blue’ Pongtiwat Tangwancharoen made an appearance to represent Thailand and congratulate Swarovski on this special milestone alongside other fashion savvy guests from Malaysia, Singapore, and China.
At this very exclusive event, ‘Blue’ wore sparkling Swarovski jewelry in various sparkling styles. These pieces include the ruthenium plated Dextera pendant, Swiss made watch from the Dextera family, ruthenium plated Matrix tennis bracelet as well as ruthenium plated triangle cut Matrix bracelet and rhodium plated Lucent cocktail ring that help put a suave finishing touch to Blue’s look.
Mapping a journey through time and space across the brand’s history since 1895, Swarovski – Masters of Light is the first exploration of the heritage and revolutionary spirit of one of the oldest European luxury brands. It showcases the creativity and savoir-faire that inspired its collaborations with the greatest names in fashion, cinema and music for over a century.
Swarovski – Masters of Light brings together for the first time an exceptional selection of over 60 outfits designed by the world’s most storied fashion houses. Spanning 128 years and all featuring Swarovski crystals, they include pieces created by Alexander McQueen, Armani Privé, Balenciaga, Christian Dior, Fendi, Gucci, Guo Pei, Jimmy Choo, Louis Vuitton, Robert Wun, Thierry Mugler and Vivienne Westwood.
It also includes an unprecedented curation of outfits worn by global pop culture icons including Michael Jackson, Christina Aguilera and Marilyn Monroe (courtesy Ted Stampfer).
In addition, Swarovski – Masters of Light displays a unique array of stage costumes and red-carpet ensembles drawn from the Swarovski Heritage Collection and presented to the public for the first time, as well as almost 1,000 dazzling pieces of Swarovski jewelry, figurines, and crystals, including the largest crystal chaton ever created.
The exhibition is an immersive experience, taking visitors on a journey from 19th century Vienna to 21st-century Shanghai and beyond through panoramic scenography divided into eight Chambers of Wonder: Time Chamber, Masters of Light, Future History, Jewelry Box, Pop Icons, Mathemagical and Diamonds of the Future.
Reflecting Swarovski’s close ties to contemporary art, the Beijing artist Tian Xiaolei has devised a site-specific installation, reacting to the themes and iconography of Swarovski through the facets of his own work.
Another highlight, to be unveiled for the first time in the Diamonds of the Future chamber, is ‘Galaxy’, the dazzling new fine jewelry collection designed by Global Creative Director Giovanna Engelbert and made with Swarovski Created Diamonds.
Alexis Nasard, Swarovski CEO, commented: ‘We are delighted to be designing and curating the Masters of Light exhibition in Shanghai. Being a cultural protagonist through our creations and artistic collaborations is an essential part of our heritage and values. We look forward to offering visitors in Shanghai a moment of beauty and joyful inspiration’.
Giovanna Engelbert, Swarovski Creative Director said: “It is very emotional for me to see all these astonishing pieces together in our first brand exhibition, which is a celebration of craftsmanship and savoir-faire in every creative discipline. From conceptualization to realization, Masters of Light has been an extraordinary endeavour, and I could not be happier that the exhibition’s journey begins here in Shanghai, a city of culture and creativity, a hub of luxury and a global gateway. I am proud and humbled to be part of this incredible 128-year-old European luxury house that has the courage to continuously evolve into the future.”
This landmark travelling brand exhibition is curated by British fashion journalist, author, critic, and curator Alexander Fury. It premieres in Shanghai, with further locations to be announced soon.
