A year ago Swarovski Crystallized commissioned a project to 22 of the greatest established and emerging creative talents worldwide. The task was to design exquisitely crafted, crystal-embellished updates on the Little Black Dress.
The outcome of this major international cooperation - 22 exclusive haute couture dresses lavishly sprinkled with glittering stones - were launched in Paris during couture week on the 27th of January. They are all captured for posterity in a beautiful publication, from which you can see some highlights below.
After launching the dazzling collection of one-of-a-kind show pieces will go on public display from today (28th of January) in parisian hotel Pozzo di Borgo, 51 rue de l’université, 7th arrondissement open from 10:00 am – 6:00 pm. It is Karl Lagerfeld's former residence, who himself has a number of methods for showing black.
The exhibition will then travel to Beijing and will culminate in a grand fund-raising finale in New York City in autumn 2010 before being auctioned for charity at the celebrated Phillips de Pury house in New York renowned for its expertise in high-end, avant-garde design.
All the proceeds will in equal parts be donated to American Cancer Society and La ligue nationale contre le cancer in France, as well as the profits from the book. Among the contributing artists are Vivienne Westwood, Donna Karan, Phillip Lim, Diane von Furstenberg, Sonia Rykiel and Riccardo Tisci for Givenchy.
Ways to say Black dress by Gaspard Yurkievich, photographed by Mark Pillai
Ways to say Black dress by Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci, photographed by Mark Pillai
Ways to say Black dress by Phillip Lim, photographed by Mark Pillai
Ways to say Black dress by Azzaro, photographed by Mark Pillai
Ways to say Black dress by Valentino, photographed by Mark Pillai
Ways to say Black dress by Donna Karan, photographed by Mark Pillai
Ways to say Black dress by Diane von Furstenberg, photographed by Mark Pillai
Ways to say Black dress by Gianfranco Ferré, photographed by Mark Pillai
Ways to say Black dress by Marios Schwab, photographed by Mark Pillai
