Swarovski and Central Saint Martins showcase jewellery design project

By

Barbara Santamaria

Published
Jun 7, 2019

Swarovski hosted an event and cocktail reception at London’s Victoria & Albert Museum this week to showcase a series of jewellery concepts created by students from Central Saint Martins.

Thirty-two students from CSM’s BA Jewellery and Design course were invited to create a jewellery piece inspired by Swarovski’s Aurora Borealis crystal and the V&A’s Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams exhibition, and 10 shortlisted designers had their final works exhibited at the museum.

They were selected by a panel of experts including Swarovski executive VP of operations Kate Filmer-Wilson, CSM course leader Giles Last, V&A programme manager Leanne Manfredi, jewellery designer Shaun Leane, style editor Alice Edwards and jewellery expert Maria Doulton.

CSM student Piran Caseley was announced as the winner of the project for his ‘Scent’ neckpiece, whose shape in acrylic and Aurora Borealis crystals offers a visual representation of perfume.

Course leader Last said: “This year, the opportunity for students to combine Swarovski product with their responses to the Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams exhibition has been a wonderful, insightful and exciting experience for the whole group. It is an extraordinary start to their careers as designers.”

Swarovski is a sponsor of the Dior exhibition, and has worked with the luxury fashion house for more than 70 years. The brand has been using Swarovski crystal to embellish its designs since Christian Dior opened his maison in the 1940s, with the Aurora Borealis crystal becoming a key part of the house’s New Look.

Swarovski has also been supporting Central Saint Martins students since 2014 through scholarships provided by the Swarovski Foundation.