Following on from an Autumn/Winter 2009/10 season which focused on essential design values such as tradition, perfection and beauty, designers are now demonstrating an ever-increasing interest in quality, creativity, exquisite craftsmanship and worth. As consumers bring more awareness to their purchasing decisions, looking to invest in things that clearly express their individuality, so creatives open themselves to new design processes and previously unthought-of solutions. Heralding this period of freedom and experimentation, CRYSTALLIZED™ – Swarovski Elements has named its five new trend themes INTEGRATION (Classic), IMPROVISATION (Harmony), MATERIALS (Romantic), CONSTRUCTION (Progressive) and COLOURS & SURFACES (Glamour). Crystal becomes a means of expressing subtle refinement, an essential creative element with which to frame fluid and constructed forms, surface effects and unique design details.

INTEGRATION evokes the organic lines and contemporary chic of North European design, conjuring pieces destined to become future classics. A focus on ecology and fluid combinations of high-tech and natural materials highlight a newfound sense of creative freedom. The use of crystal is refined and understated, allowing for subtle light reflections on fabrics, jewellery and interior pieces. A gentle, modern design language emerges, in which curved and straight lines, graphic or aerodynamic shapes are crafted in an opalescent range of light mineral shades, including New Crystal Platinum Pearl. Crystal cuts echo the interplay of manmade and natural, drawing on innovations such as the Graphic Cube Bead, the Lily Pendant and the Dragonfly Pendant.

IMPROVISATION embodies the notion of a departure from convention, the freedom to move beyond traditional borders to embrace new social developments and life experiences. The quest is on for alternatives to standardised consumption, giving rise to a new wave of creative activism. Inventive design solutions incorporate crystal as a precious, light-filled detail, offering a spontaneous approach to customisation. A mix and match aesthetic, completely at ease with different cultural influences, sees small and large CRYSTALLIZED™ – Swarovski Elements such as the new Galactic Sew-on Stone, Ring Bead, Disk Pendant and Orchid Pendant juxtaposed with denim patchwork, folkloric patterns, handcrafted and readymade materials. Simple, natural outdoor colours, including the Air Blue Opal and Crystal Red Magma innovations, capture the nomadic mood.

The interplay between soft, geometric forms and strong, sharp folds, between pastel shades and high-tech fabrics is given full rein in MATERIALS. Pale greens, blues, pinks and creams in neoprene and stretchy metallics are sculpted into bold new asymmetric shapes. Graphic, yet feminine, the mood perfectly echoes the cheerful self-confidence of the woman who looks to the future. Concentrations of clear CRYSTALLIZED™ – Swarovski Elements in mosaic, grid-like or mono-block formations create a blurring effect. Base material colours are glimpsed through a semi-transparent veil composed of innovations such as Mini Fancy Stones – Triangle, Pear, Blossom and Heart, the Cosmic Oval Fancy Stone, Ring Bead and new-sized Briolette Bead.

Architectural blueprints provide the inspiration for CONSTRUCTION, a graphic theme focusing on experimentation and conceptual processes. The body serves as a frame for geometric fashion statements that set vividly coloured straight lines, cross-links and sharp angles against solid white backgrounds. The look is refined industrial, evoking a project under construction – a creative work in progress. Sparkling CRYSTALLIZED™ – Swarovski Elements such as the Chessboard Flat Back, Chessboard Sew-on Stone, Button with Metal Shank and Rivet with Stainless Steel casing contrast with matt materials, opaque and elastic fabrics. A strong crystal colour palette, which includes new Crystal Red Magma, highlights technical construct details.

Shimmering mineral hues and wet-look effects combine in COLOURS & SURFACES, offering up the opportunity to slip into a different skin. Reptilian scales, feathers, fringes, top-to-toe surface effects and tight-fitting cuts exert a seductive, futuristic appeal designed to celebrate the beauty of the beast within. Chunky, oversized asymmetric crystals and gleaming Crystal Pearls are embedded into abstract prints, skin-like stretch fabric or metallics to create an opulent camouflage. The mood is expressed through a noble, mineral-like colour spectrum: new Air Blue Opal merges with metallic-accented stones and pearly hues, conjuring fantastical light reflections and an all-over iridescent shine.

Internationally renowned jewellery designer Claudia Arbex draws inspiration from the five new CRYSTALLIZED™ – Swarovski Elements trend directions to create her own unique interpretation of each theme. Brazilian-born Arbex began her jewellery-making career in 1999. After working for established designers, she went on to launch her own collections, becoming known for her use of high-quality materials, expert craftsmanship and exclusive appeal. Her wholly contemporary aesthetic lends itself beautifully to the new season’s trend towards relaxed innovation. Arbex’s distinctive pieces are available in luxurious boutiques in Brazil and around the world.