Category: Swarovski News 2011

Crystal Christmas by Swarovski…Grand Debut at Harrods

November 5 marked the debut of Harrodâs Swarovski Crystal Christmas!  Can you believe it’S  50 days til Christmas?

Inspired by Swarovski, the large department store has a seven-window display featuring a glitzy woodland landscape with dazzling trees drenched with Swarovski gems.

Harrods Swarovski Wedding Gown
Harrods Swarovski Wedding Gown

When Harrods and Swarovski joined forces, nothing but the finest should be expected.  The fascinating forest scene features mannequins hanging from trees along with wintry branches and garland.

‘We are really excited to be part of A Crystal Christmas, Tamara Ralph said. ‘When I was asked to create my ultimate Swarovski gown, I was instantly inspired by the 1920’s era. I wanted to create a show-stopping and intricate piece that oozed glamour.’  The wedding dress contains approximately 152,000 Swarovski crystal stones.   The gown workforce consisted of more than 25 couturiers working hundreds of hours to completion.

Swarovski will have a pop-up store in four of the seven windows, selling jewelry, including that from the Atelier Swarovski collection.

Check out the display windows.

Harrods Swarovski Window Display
Swarovski Harrods Christmas Window Scene
Swarovski Harrods Christmas Window Scene

I personally thought that the display seemed a bit dark, missing the true meaning of Christmas.  After writing this article, I revisited the web site where I found the news and found LOTS of comments from readers who seemed quite turned off by the display.  Some adjectives and phrases posted by readers include scary, bizarre, depressing  inducing nightmares  and creepy.

Sometimes pictures don’t do justice to the actual live display. I’d be interested to see it personally, but really cannot seeing as it is on a different continent than I live.

In any case, I hope that it is the success that Swarovski and Harrods are hoping for.

Swarovski Article posted by Angie / Crystal Exchange America

Swarovski News: Swarovski Orange Shine Panther, NLE of 888, Sold Out!

Today, we received the official Swarovski news that the Swarovski Orange Shine Panther is now SOLD OUT!  The Orange Shine Panther publicly launched August 29, 2011.  This Swarovski Panther was a limited edition figurine (Swarovski NLE) of 888 units.  The orange wild cat, in a typical cat pose, retailed for $1110.

Despite it being another limited edition panther, I expected a quick sell out, like the Swarovski  Black Panther.  The Swarovski Limited Edition Black Panther (Swarovski NLE) was limited to 500 units and retailed for $960 when it was briefly available at the online Swarovski shoppe in April, 2010.

The Orange Shine Panther and Black Panther are among Swarovski crystal feline friends, .Swarovski also produced a clear Panther figurine, that retired in 2011 and a moroda Panther figurine which is presently available in the Swarovski shoppe. The Kristall Buzz has featured a number of articles about Swarovski Panthers:

I’m wondering what the crystal brand is thinking.

  • Is another colored, limited edition Swarovski panther figurine in the works?
  • Does the extended time available indicate that Swarovski collectors did not like the orange-shine color?
  • Does the extended time available imply that Swarovski collectors might not be interested to purchase another limited edition panther in a different color?

Now, if feline fanatics want to purchase the Swarovski Orange Panther, they will have to turn to the secondary market or online auctions.  At Crystal Exchange America, the Black Panther and Orange Shine Panther, as well as other Swarovski NLE figurines, can be found in the Limited Edition Swarovski category of the store.  Or collectors can use the powerful store search feature, keyword panther to restrict the search results to Swarovski panthers.

Swarovski Article posted by Angie / Crystal Exchange America

Swarovski News: Swarovski Arctic Hare at SCS Online Event Today!

October 27 marks a special online event at the Swarovski website!  The Swarovski Arctic Hare is available to purchase directly from the crystal brand’s online shoppe for a limited 24-hour window (or while stocks last).

The Swarovski Arctic Hare is a crystal moonlight rabbit figurine.  It is a Swarovski crystal figurine normally available for purchase at Swarovski events by SCS members who attend a store reception.  The crystal bunny is about 1.5″ x 2″ in size and retails for $110.  This Swarovski crystal figurine was designed by Anton Hirzinger.

The Arctic Hare is also symbolic in that it marks the Year of the Rabbit: 2011 in the Chinese calendar.

In 2011, the crystal brand released two other Swarovski Hare figurines:

If you are a hare fanatic, you may be interested to purchase all 3 of the crystal hare figurines.  Remember, the Swarovski Arctic Hare can only be purchased by SCS members for the online event.  But once they hit the online auctions or secondary market, anyone can purchase them.  To find other similar figurines on the secondary market, you can visit the web site of Crystal Exchange America (www.CrystalExchange.com).  Use the powerful store search feature with the term bunny, rabbit, or hare to find exactly what you are looking for!

Swarovski Article posted by Angie / Crystal Exchange America

Swarovski News: Swarovski La Lupa Sculpture Details

The La Lupa Sculpture is a Swarovski NLE (numbered limited edition) available at a Swarovski gala event in Italy in mid-October, 2011.

Swarovski La Lupa

Swarovski La Lupa is actually produced in 2 different sizes.

Limited Swarovski La Lupa: available at the event only:

System #: 1145683
Edition Size: 50 units
Dimensions: Width 155 x Height 149,50 x Depth 87,20

Smaller, but still limited, Swarovski  La Lupa: available at select Swarovski retailers in Rome, shortly after the event:

System #: 1145684
Edition Size: 3000 units
Dimensions: Width 91,50 x Height 88,90 x Depth 51,90

The Swarovski La Lupa Sculptures will cost ¬600,00 or¬2550,00 depending upon the product being purchased.

These are very interesting Swarovski crystal sculptures.  I’ll be anxious to see if we find them at the online auctions soon, or better yet, perhaps we’ll get one listed at the Crystal Exchange America web site:  www.CrystalExchange.com .

Swarovski Article posted by Angie / Crystal Exchange America

Swarovski News for Crystal Fanatics in Italy – SCS Gala Dinner and Signing Event October 15-16

Swarovski is hosting a very special event to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Italy as a united nation at Museo Capitolini!

The SCS Gala dinner is October 15, and registration is required.  Swarovski designers Anton Hirzinger and Adi Stocker will be in attendance as well as local celebrities.  Attendees of this magnificent gala event will be offered a private tour and viewing Capitolini Museum, which is the oldest museum in the world.

The crystal brand has produced a special Swarovski NLE crystal sculpture for preview and purchase during this gala event.  The figurine is La Lupa, which is a crystal portrayal of the famous Capitoline Wolf created solely for Italy during this year of celebration.  The Swarovski La Lupa sculptures should be available for purchase during the weekend.

The Swarovski signing event is October 16.  Designers Anton Hirzinger and Adi Stocker will be signing their own Swarovski crystal creation for SCS members in attendance.

Crystal fanatics in Italy can contact Sw

Swarovski Article posted by Angie / Crystal Exchange America

Swarovski Theo, Lovlots House of Cats, becomes a Crystal Globetrotter

Swarovski has produced and uploaded a video to YouTube about the Lovlots Theo traveling the globe.  The video shows Lovlots Theo (not to be confused with Theo the Turtle) at various locations in SouthEast Asia.

 

 

Swarovski Theo is a black cat, posed in a Halloween position and designed by Edith Mair.  Theo the cat is in the Lovlots collection, specifically the grouping House of Cats.  Theo was the Limited Edition Lovlots figurine for 2009.  Other Swarovski House of Cats character kitties that reside in the posh Lovlots Park Hills district include:

  • Swarovski Diane 988017, retires in 2011.  Pale chocolate cat modeling her strand of pearls designed by Edith Mair.
  • Swarovski Emily 995045  Fashion fuschia feline, with a butterfly resting on her ear, designed by Peter Heidegger.
  • Swarovski Marie and Pierre 995011, retires in 2011.  Pale blue and pale burgundy pair of romancing kitties designed by Edith Mair.
  • Swarovski Ines  995008.  Soft seal cat, decorated with a choker, designed by Edith Mair.
  • Swarovski Camille 995006, retires in 2011. A sleeping bronze cat designed by Stefanie Nederegger.

Like any manufacturer, Swarovski is about promoting new and current products.  I’m a bit confused as to their selection of figurines for this video a retired black cat.  Perhaps because Theo photographed well (taking good pictures of crystal can be tricky!)?  Perhaps they are planning to introduce a bigger Theo?  Only Swarovski knows the answer to this question.

Toward the end of the video, they mention taking pictures of Theo on his journey around the world and posting them to Facebook for a prize.  So there is some kind of Swarovski Theo Competition on the horizon, but I was not able to locate any further information on the subject.

If you are planning to participate in the Swarovski Theo Contest, and do not have this Limited Edition Lovlots figurine in your collection, you can find Swarovski Theo at www.crystalexchange.com .  Simply use the search feature and type in ‘Theo’ (without quotes).  Be sure to purchase the limited edition cat as I don’t believe Swarovski wants to see the Theo the Tortoise in photograph submissions!

Swarovski Article posted by Angie / Crystal Exchange America

Swarovski News: Free Itunes App ‘Swarovski Refract’ for Crystal Fanatics

Several days ago, I saw the Swarovski News that the crystal brand had released an appâ in the Apple iTunes store.  This free app, for the iPod Touch, iPhone, and iPad, is called Swarovski Refract.

Swarovski Refract Screen Shots
Actual Swarovski Refract Screen Shots

The Swarovski Refract App allows users to play with triangular shapes, lights, colors, and sounds.  In short, a player generates a triangle with sparkling tips then moves this shape around the screen to change the colors and sounds it generates.  The triangle shapes and sizes can also be modified.  During the play, sounds will be heard based on the various combinations of triangle order, size, and color to produce a brief tune.

Swarovski Refract comes with about 10 predefined compositions ranging in length from 1 to 3 minutes.  There is one that is 22+ minutes long.

The Swan in the upper left corner acts like a home button, bringing up the main menu and options.  There are three features in the app that are initially locked, and can be unlocked by completing simple tasks.  One  feature is Duck J, which adds some funky rhythms and percussion beats to  the sounds. Another feature is the Nirvana Ring Feature, which adds some extra sparkle on the screen.  The remaining feature is Chaton feature, which adds some unique shape-echoing shadowing on the screen.

Swarovski Refract (simulated screen)

Of course, the crystal brand wants to promote Swarovski Refract via  composition-sharing.  Features in the app allow sharing via email, Facebook, and entering it into a competition.

The Swarovski Refract competition runs thru October 14, and the grand prize winner receives an iPad2 with a limited edition Swarovski crystal embellished iPad2 case.  A panel of 5 judges will select the top 10 entries for posting to Facebook, where Facebook fans will then vote on their favorite crystalline composition
I found another app in the iTune store that was an interesting play on touch and lights.  Called Uzu, it costs 99 cents to $1.99 depending on whether a user wants it for an iPod or iPad.  In it, a player touches the screen with 1 to 10 fingers, moving them around to generate some very busy action:  spirals, confetti, falling stars, and more, but without the sound or music.  A demo of Uzu can be found on YouTube.

Swarovski fanatics will find the Swarovski Refract App entertaining.  And with some patience, create a remarkable composition worth sharing, and perhaps winning!  Best of luck to anyone entering the Swarovski Refract competition!

Swarovski Article posted by Angie / Crystal Exchange America

Swarovski SCVNGR London Treasure Hunt – After the Event

Swarovski and SCVNGR teamed up for a scavenger / treasure hunt in London on September 24.  Approximately 500 couples participated in the event .  A few days ago, Swarovski posted a video on YouTube with some highlights of the hunt.

 

 

 

The theme of the Swarovski event was Discover Your Light  Teams had 40 to 50 challenges to complete during the affair which appeared to last about 2 hours.

Early in the video, there are some glimpses of the Swarovski Mini Cooper that was previewed just before the Royal Wedding in April, 2011.  (Glad to see it getting a few miles on it!)  At the end of the video, when the winners are making a few comments, the Swarovski Mini Cooper can again be seen.

Swarovski boutiques and notable London landmarks are captured in the video.  Contestants are using their smart phones and iPads in an effort to win that grand prize.

I’m hoping that Swarovski makes notes of all the positive points, looks at the issues that may have caused a few bumps, this brings this adventure to the USA.  It sounds to be great fun, with some Swarovski crystal perks along the way!

Swarovski Article posted by Angie / Crystal Exchange America

Sir Elton John has Swarovski Sparkle in “Million Dollar Piano Show”

Just last week, Sir Elton John has begun a three-year residency in Las Vegas in the Million Dollar Piano Show.

The Swarovski crystal glow will be present in the show as this world-famous singer, tailor and personal friend Richard James, and Swarovski have teamed up creating the most glittering wardrobe ever.  The wardrobe consists of 15 suits, 22 shirts, and 24 pairs of sunglasses worn throughout the concert performances and a sparkling cape worn during the finale.

This YouTube video features Nadja Swarovski and Richard James and their attire collaboration for this incredible artist, Elton John.  In the video, they tell us about the stunning 1.7 million Swarovski Elements stones that were used in the custom costume creation.

Noteworthy quotes from the singer and the crystal brand….

Sir Elton John: “I’ve always been a huge admirer of Swarovski and to work with them in this capacity is a dream come true.

Nadja  Swarovski,  Member  of  the  Executive  Board,  Swarovski  Crystal  Business,  commented:  “I’ve been a fan of Elton’s music for years and so I’m especially excited about Swarovski’s involvement in the ‘Million Dollar Piano’ through working  with  Richard  James  on  these  extraordinary  costumes.  Elton  is one of the most legendary performers and Richard is one of Britain’s best tailors – together they have created a dazzling spectacle that will take audiences breath away.”

More information can be found in the Swarovski Elton John press release. Photos of Elton John in his Swarovski-embellishd suits can be viewed at the Swarovski Press Centre.

Swarovski Crystal Fanatics….If you are in Las Vegas in October, 2011, you can check out his upcoming shows.  He is at The Colosseum at Caeser’s Palace.  TicketMaster shows availability for many weekend dates with ticket prices $55 – $500 depending on the date and seat location.

Swarovski Article posted by Angie / Crystal Exchange America

Swarovski Crystal Skull in the “Swarovski Men’s Collection”

It appears that Swarovski is putting a larger emphasis on the Men’s Collection in their marketing and advertising.  Today, when I was at the Swarovski web site, I noticed the scrolling marquis (below the huge Hello Kitty frame) now contains a section labeled Especially for Men’s N the Skull with a feature picture of the new skull accessory.

Swarovski Skull

 

I think it’s great that men are becoming a target audience for product development, considering just how many male crystal collectors that there are.  As for the Swarovski Skull figurine, I’m still a bit shocked by the masculine figurine.

If you follow the link for Swarovski Men’ section, it leads to the first page of several for a Swarovski Men’s Jewelry line.  On this jewelry page, the 2 different sized skull figurines appear.  While I was surprised to find it mixed in with (men’s) jewelry, I was equally surprised that when I searched the store with the term soul mate  that the skull did not appear in the search results.  After all, the retailer that shared the new product with me indicated that it was a part of the Swarovski Soulmates collection.

In short, if you are looking to purchase the Swarovski Skull figurine, it may be easiest to find it on the Swarovski web site by searching the term skull.

Swarovski Article posted by Angie / Crystal Exchange America