LES NOUVELLES TENDANCES PRINTEMPS/ÉTÉ 2009

FASHION TURNS SPOTLIGHT ON THE BIG ISSUES

NEW TRENDS FOR SPRING/SUMMER 2009 SHOW RESPECT FOR SUSTAINABILITY, CLIMATE CHANGE AND ETHICAL TRADING

Gone are the days of ostentatious displays as new trends for the Spring/Summer 2009 season emphasise the big issues in today’s world. Swarovski’s trend team, following their intensive research into future trends in lifestyle, culture and fashion, have discovered a desire to slow down and reflect on the quality of life, individuality and for the big issues that face our global village. The time is ripe for a thoughtful and often nostalgic de-acceleration.

Designers and creative spirits are actively embracing a softer and unashamedly escapist mood as people reflect beyond the level of ostentation. Instead they are enjoying an increased sense of individualism and elegance. The five new trend themes: MEADOW (Romantic), TRAVELLER (Classic), GYPSY ROSE (Harmony), SAVANNAH (Progressive) and PACIFIC (Glamour) infuse designers with the enthusiasm to embrace the headline issues in our world today and in doing so, to make a statement about their own beliefs.

Meadow is Romantic

The romantic theme moves from the escapism of cyber world into true nature. Meadow embraces sunlight shades and the greens that signify the splendour of our natural world. Technology is hidden in the textures and designs have a touch of 18th century charm and a minimalist aesthetic. Crystal will be used in all-over designs, outlines and floral motifs. Crystal innovations to suit this trend are the Aquiline Bead, Cosmic Baguette Flat Back, the Keystone Bead, the colour Sand Opal and the Galactic Flat Fancy Stone. Crystals will be drop-like, longish, modern and classic, fragile and delicate and often in nature shapes like leaf petals.

Traveller is Classic

This trend is illustrated by the colour orange exemplified by the fruit of the same name with its origins in India. Concern for the big issues sparks the desire to familiarise oneself with exotic locations for a first hand experience of other cultures. Ethnic influences are also seeping into classical urbanity. Crystal reflects ethnic details, calm and monochrome on the inside while brilliant on the outside. Technical fabrics underline the sporty nature of the trend. Indian and Moroccan fabrics and designs will be popular, along with African and Asia design influences. Jewellery will have graphic shapes, rough cuts and may include creative recycling. The new colours Sand Opal and Mocca and the innovations Cosmic Triangle, Cosmic Flat Back in a new size, the Chessboard Crystal Button, the Aquiline Bead and Metal Trimmings in a Gun Metal casing fit the trend.

Gypsy Rose is Harmony

This trend is drenched in the colours mauve and light pink tones mirroring the tenderness of the rose of the same name and a new era of open-heartedness. This trend picks up of a folkloric theme like that of Romania, but with a touch of modernity with its light and graphic elements. Fresh new Slavic folkloric designs, simple embroidery, stylised flowers and ribbons embellish textiles. Jewellery is characterised by charms and filigrees, plaited chains and amulet style pendants. Crystals will be classic round and voluminous sizes and as well as small flower shapes, Beads and Filigrees. Sand Opal and Mocca are also great colours for this trend while crystals will appear as the Princess Baguette Single Stone Setting, the Oval Single Stone Setting, the Coral Pendant with two sprigs and the innovative product Crystal Fabric-it.

Savannah is Elemental

This trend is a tribute to the richness of Mother Earth expressed in browns and cream-white contrasts and tackling surface issues – just as the mineral-like surface of the savannah. The trend will have abstract references to African graphics and interpretations of ready-made design solutions. Crystal Aerial Mesh, Crystal Transfabric and the trend colours Sand Opal and Mocca enhance the trend. Crystals will be big and rough cuts and will include Beads, the three-sprig Coral Pendant with three sprigs, Cosmic Triangle, a new size in the Modular Bead and Chaton Montées in a Gun Metal casing.

Pacific is Glamour

This trend addresses water as a precious resource, focusing on the deep blue of the “peaceful sea”, the Pacific. The glamour colours are those of deep blue water and blue colour gradients touched with creamy white. Crystal reflects light on water in all-over designs with Hotfix Transparent, Transparent and opal mixes. Textiles are glamorous, natural and voluminous. Patterns echo aquatic textures and include generous gathering. Jewellery is inspired by movement and reflections of water. Crystals will be big classic shapes, often oval and sometimes rough cuts.

“Malcolm Guerre” jewellery label inspired by Spring/Summer 2009 Trends

Yukiko Ohno and Yohji Ohno are the creative faces behind the jewellery label Malcolm Guerre. They have been inspired by the five new Swarovski trend directions for the new season, creating unique pieces to interpret these trends. The Malcolm Guerre jewellery brand is recognised as aggressive, unique and challenging. The Ohnos often choose outstanding and unusual venues to display their creations and they always do it to significant public acclaim. Yukiko studied in the United Kingdom and has worked, among others, for Erik Halley, the designer who interpreted the last season’s Swarovski trends. In 2005, Malcolm Guerre participated in CRYSTALLIZED? Trend Cosmos Hong Kong and also collaborated with CRYSTALLIZED? INSPIRATION 2005 TOKYO for which the two designers created a crystal art installation.

NEW CRYSTALLIZED™ – Swarovski Elements ENHANCE FEEL-GOOD SPRING/SUMMER 2009 SEASON

The Spring/Summer 2009 trends indicate a move to the world’s big issues. People are now reflecting on life values rather than excesses. They are seeking a close to nature feeling, that has been missing in the early part of the century and now Swarovski has created exciting new products, colours and shapes to reflect those trends. The world leader in precision-cut crystal thus continues its practice of placing trend-oriented additions to its product range into the hands of inspired designers, allowing them to explore their creativity when creating for the new fashion season.

Two new exciting colours for the Swarovski range

Nothing is more precious or worthy of protection than our Mother Earth. That is why it is fitting and appropriate the new colours – Mocca comes in a truly earth shades, while the second addition to the colour pallet is Sand Opal, a near white shade so reminiscent of the tones reflected in sparkling beach sand.

Mocca is a rich dark brown, strongly related to warmth, cosiness and intensity. The luxurious appearance of the colour is a perfect compliment to the entire CRYSTALLIZED™ - Swarovski Elements range, adding both elegance and beauty.

Sand Opal is a delicate tone closely related to white, the divine shade interpreted as purity and goodness. Sand Opal is therefore a very soft shade of white with a touch of yellow able to blend perfectly with the popular vintage coloured crystals.

Exciting additions to the Crystal Stones range

Typical of Swarovski’s innovative spirit is the new Aquiline Bead coming in two hole varieties – a centre and a top hole version. This unique and extraordinary shape offers a whole range of exciting application possibilities, particularly when teamed together. Coming in 18, 28 and 36 mm these two Beads are available in Crystal, seven additional colours and four different effects.

New to the collection is also the Keystone Bead, a new novelty with two holes for entirely new application possibilities. The Keystone Bead, with its architectural cut and shape and coming in 13x7 and 17x9 mm and is available in Crystal, four effects and six colours. It is a unique combination of a classic, yet modern element on one article.

The Cosmic Triangle is a new family member that has been added to the ring-shaped Fancy Stones. Its retro touch adds sparkling accents to both classical and modern designs and can be applied in settings, sewn on, glued or used as a pendant or connector. Coming in sizes 14, 20 and 30 mm, it is available in Crystal, Crystal CAL V SI, Jet and 12 effects. It is a perfect partner to the Square and Cosmic Rings.

The three and two-sprigged Coral Pendants are another direct tribute to the beauty of nature, representing a glamorous interpretation of coral in crystal. The cut of the crystal is inspired by a real coral branch, an important symbol and design element within the jewellery industry. Ideally suited as centrepieces for creations, the three sprigged Coral Pendant comes in 30 and 40 mm and is available in Crystal, five colours and four effects. The two-sprigged Coral Pendant comes in 25 and 34 mm and is available in Crystal, six colours and four effects.

Brand new Crystal Button completes new novelties for Spring/Summer 2009

The Chessboard Crystal Button is a classic, yet outstandingly brilliant new cut for the Crystal Button range. Its big facets are perfect for refracting light and splintering it into all of its spectral elements. The button, coming in 21x11 and 30x16 mm, can be easily and quickly applied by machine or hand on all kinds of materials – from cotton to cashmere, from wool to leather. It is available in Crystal, three colours and six effects.

The inclusion of the new colours and novelties into the Swarovski collection underlines the importance the family-owned company places on its own trend research and its passion and desire to create beautiful and innovative precision-cut crystals in tune with the latest fashion trends.

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Farouk CHEKOUFI