Created by the house’s Creative Director Giovanna Engelbert and curated by journalist Alexander Fury, it celebrates almost 130 years of the brand’s heritage—blending the realms of fashion, high-jewellery and pop culture.
PREMIERED in Shanghai last fall, ‘Swarovski — Masters of Light’ is displayed across the historic salons of the newly-renovated Palazzo Citterio, the sumptuous extension of the Pinacoteca di Brera nestled in the heart of Milan.
This cultural partnership with the museum allows visitors to admire for the first time the new atmosphere of the Palazzo, which will be home to the art collections of Pinacoteca di Brera donated by the Jesi and Vitali families from December 2024.
Swarovski — Masters of Light
Drawing a path through time and space across Swarovski’s rich history, from its foundation in 12895 through the present day, this show is the first exploration of the heritage and revolutionary spirit of one of the older European fashion brands.
Showcasing a wealth of crystal-embellished fashion pieces from houses like Balenciaga, Dior, Gucci, Schiaparelli, Versace and Armani, and glistening looks worn by Harry Styles, Doja Cat, Katy Perry, and Beyoncè, ‘Swarovski — Masters of Light’ highlights Swarovski’s ceaseless creativity and savoir-faire and its inspired collaborations with the most revered names in fashion, cinema and music across over a century.
Swarovski — Masters of Light
It also includes a first-of-its-kind curation of outfits worn by global pop culture icons, from Josephine Baker to Tina Turner, Madonna to Kylie Minogue; a unique pool of stage costumes and red-carpet ensemble drawn from the Swarovski Heritage Collection; and thousands of shining pieces, figurines and crystals including the largest crystal chaton ever created.
Swarovski — Masters of Light
Another highlight can be found in a selection of fine jewelry showpieces made with laboratory grown Swarovski Created Diamonds. The exhibit takes visitors on an immersive journey from the birth of Swarovski in 19th century Vienna to 21st-century Milan and beyond.
It’s divided into seven key themes: roaming through a chronology of the brand (Time Chamber); a specially curated kaleidoscope of Swarovski’ statement bijou (Jewellery Box); the house’s first lab grown diamond collection (Diamonds Of The Future); its inimitable capturing of light through crystal (Masters Of Light).
Swarovski — Masters of Light
Another key aspect is Future History, an exploration of fashion in 20 visual dialogues placed throughout Palazzo Citterio, crafted between outfits of the world’s leading designers. Masters of Light also features a Pop-Up Store where visitors can browse an exclusive Swarovski product range and a Garden cafè in the Palazzo Citterio’s orangery.
by Chidozie Obasi