Prabal Gurung and Mark Fast design for Atelier Swarovski S/S 2011

Every season Atelier Swarovski enlists a group of up and coming or established fashion and jewellery designers to design a collection of crystal jewellery and accessories. In its eighth season, for spring/summer 2010 they’ve teamed up with Prabal Gurung (pictured above), Jenny Manik Mercian, Mark Fast, Joseph Altuzarra and Michael Kaplan who have each designed a range of pieces that have put Swarovski in a new light – in my eyes anyway.

“This season we have had the honour to work with globally renowned fashion, jewellery and costume designers, whose innovative vision and creativity has resulted in a collection of luxurious and wearable crystal accessories which celebrate Swarovski crystal and inspirational design,” says Nadja Swarovski, Vice President International Communications for Swarovski Crystal Business.

Prabal Gurung’s collection is the perfect match to his Spring/Summer 2011 line which included bold injections of blue – much like his Atelier Swarovski S/S 2011 designs. “The collection for Swarovski Atelier was inspired by early 20th century cubist and futurist artists and their experimentation with speed, dynamism and surface deconstruction,” Gurung said.

Our personal favourite is Michael Kaplan‘s collection, better known as a movie costume designer, he’s won awards his work on Blade Runner and nominated for his work on Fight Club and Mr & Mrs Smith. In our opinion, the Michael Kaplan for Atelier Swarovski collection brings a whole new level of edginess to the crystal brand.

“Instead of designing a collection which would present the starry, comet-like qualities of crystals, I became more interested in exploring the larger, individual tile crystals I recently discovered,” Kaplan said of his designs. “I love the solid shapes of the reflective, faceted, foiled back sides, juxtaposed with the depth of the crystals. I also love how the foil backs of the crystals and the solid metals work together looking somewhat monolithic.”

We’re expecting this Spring/Summer 2011 collection to hit stores in March 2011. These five designers join an illustrious list of names who have previously created collections, including: Erickson Beamon, Giles, Christopher Kane, Doo.Ri, Hussein Chalayan, Jsaon Wu, Jonathan Saunders, Karl Lagerfeld, Marios Schwab, Matthew Williamson, Nicholas Kirkwood, Proenza Schouler, Rodate and Viktor & Rolf.

Michael Kaplan for Atelier Swarovski S/S 2011

Mark Fast for Atelier Swarovski S/S 2011

Joseph Altuzzara for Atelier Swarovski S/S 2011

Jenny Manik Mercian for Atelier Swarovski S/S 2011

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