FASHION

SWAROVSKI COLLECTIVE 2016

By Crash redaction

DISCOVER THE FIFTEEN DESIGNERS PART OF SWAROVSKI COLLECTIVE 2016

For over a decade now, Swarovski has been championing emerging and established designers. Every year, the crystal behemoth offers a year-long financial support as well as an exclusive access to crystal products to young creative minds in order to help them in their creative process while preparing their upcoming collections. This initiative was founded in 1999 after the already iconic collaboration between Nadja Swarovski, the young Alexander McQueen and Isabella Blow. In sixteen years of existence, the Swarovski Collective has supported over 150 designers, among which Proenza Schouler, Rodarte, Jason Wu, Hussein Chalayan, Viktor&Rolf, Mary Kantrantzou or Christopher Kane.

This year’s selection is eclectic, international, and very promising. Representing New York, Creatures of the Wind, Rosie Assoulin, Tanya Taylor, Tim Coppens, Tome, ans Vivienne Hu. The London-based designers selected are Alexander Lewis, David Koma, Emilia Wickstead, Haizhen Wang, Peter Pilotto, and Thomas Tait. In Paris, Christian Wijnants, Esteban Cortazar, and Iris Van Herpen will create collections using Swarovski crystals.

As well as a year-long financial and crystal product support, the fifteen designers will enter the run for the annual €25,000 Swarovski Collective Prize awarding their work. The winner will be announced in May 2016. For now, discover the designer’s portraits below.