London-based designers Sadie Williams, Emilia Wickstead and Faustine
Steinmetz are among the 11 designers named to be part of the Swarovski
Collective 2017, a 12-month scheme that supports designers with financial
aid and crystals for their spring/summer 2017 and autumn/winter 2017
collections.
They are joined by Tome, Creatures of the Wind, Aalto, Anne Sofie
Madsen, Arthur Arbesser, Vivetta and Wanda Nylon, as well as the winner of
the Swarovski Collective Award 2016, Rosie Assoulin. The 11 designers will
showcase their collections during New York, London, Milan and Paris fashion
weeks from September.
Commenting on her win, Faustine Steinmetz said: “I’m extremely honoured
to have been chosen for the Swarovski Collective. Exploring new techniques
is something that has always inspired my work so I’m looking forward to
seeing where the almost endless possibilities of working with Swarovski
will take me.”
Returning member Rosie Assoulin, added: “We could not be more thrilled
to be a part of this program again! I always say that it’s like digging
into a treasure trove. Being a part of the Collective means we have access
to amazing materials and to an amazing team that provides an invaluable
amount of support. We are extremely lucky and honoured to be selected and
are so excited to get working on new pieces!”
The designers were selected by members of the Swarovski executive board
Nadja Swarovski alongside a newly created panel, which included fashion
editors Jefferson Hack, Imran Amed, and Lucy Yeomans, and Matches Fashion
buying director Natalie Kingham.
Amed commented: “Once again, this year’s crop of talent in the Swarovski
Collective proves there is no single formula for creative and business
success in fashion, and indeed that creativity can flourish anywhere.”
One of the 11 designers will win the 25,000 euro Swarovski Collective
Prize in June 2017.
The Swarovski Collective was launched in 1999 to showcase the brand’s
crystals within fashion collections. Previous participants include
Alexander McQueen, Altuzarra, Proenza Schouler, Jason Wu, Rodarte,
Alexander Wang, Hussein Chalayan, Viktor&Rolf, Christopher Kane, Erdem,
Mary Katrantzou and Anthony Vaccarello.
Image: courtesy of Swarovski