Features: Magazine | Literary Review | Life | Metro Plus | Open Page | Education Plus | Book Review | Business | SciTech | Friday Review | Young World | Property Plus | Quest | Folio |

The past sparkles in the present

Swarovski interprets Art Nouveau with contemporary notes in its Fall/Winter 2006 collection

INSPIRED BY ASIAN DESIGNS Models showcasing the Poetic Night collection.

David Bowie's `Fashion' booms on the high streets of Shanghai, lined with stand-alone stores of Gucci, Hermes, Armani and other haute couture labels. Also, Xiang Yang or the `fake market', till its closure recently, churned out copies of Mont Blanc and Louis Vuitton along with `The Da Vinci Code' DVDs for a song, for the fashion savvy populace. It was not a surprise then that Swarovski, which has a significant presence in this world city, decided to launch the Fall/Winter 2006 collection here.

Poetic Night, the recent haute event featuring fashion jewellery, accessories and crystal-studded ensemble, had all the drama for fashionistas who gathered at Shanghai Sculpture Centre to absorb new trends along with sparkling wine and sushi. Much like the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra that featured an Aria from "Madame Butterfly" with its Baroque tones and the eclectic blend of electronica from DJ Andrea, who took centre stage next, the collection showcased a contemporary interpretation of an inspiration from the past.

"Poetic Night is a tribute to Daniel Swarovski. When he started the company 111 years ago, it was the Art Nouveau period. We have translated that to meet the contemporary requirement," said Markus Langes-Swarovski, international member of the executive board, unveiling the Fall/Winter 2006 Collection at the Asia Pacific do. Marcus represents the fifth generation of this family.

Dynamic, flowing lines symbolic of Art Nouveau, naturalism, as seen in insect, floral and more organic motifs and shells and more abstract elements of Rococo style, came alive as also French designer-jeweller René Lalique's dragonflies inspired by his encounter with Japanese art. The event revealed 34 looks showcased by Rosemary Vanderbourke, Eunis Chan, Janel Tsai and other leading models from China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Interlace of hematite crystal pearls and faceted pebbles, shaded fur pouch in patchwork embroidery of crocodile and python with a lacquered and pave gold crystal clasp and more themes from creative directors Rosemarie Le Gallais and Nathalie Colin-Roblique made for avant garde, prêt and couture lines.

"The dark tones represent the colours and sparkle you see at night," said Nathalie forecasting Zennesque black and red as the colours for the Fall/Winter ahead.

Unveiled along with this collection was the Three Graces theme, a contemporary narrative of the three beautiful daughters of Zeus, from Olivier Van Doorne of Select NY (of the famous Joop!, Jennifer Lopez and Marc Jacobs' campaigns) featuring international models for the sand, water and fire campaigns. Does the brand have an ambassador? "Then the crystal effect of the product would have disappeared. But we do have film actors and celebrities wearing our lines. Coco Chanel used our crystals in the 1930s while Audrey Tautau, Cameron Diaz, Angelina Jolie and Madonna are regularly seen sporting Swarovski handbags, glasses and jewellery," Doorne said.

Very different from the earlier "In the Mood for Ice" theme of Autumn/Winter 2005-06 that was inspired by the Arctic world, Poetic Night has a predominant Asian, read Japanese, influence and is one to watch out for in weeks to come. The collections hits stores in India in mid-August.

SYEDA FARIDA

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail