Crystallized sponsors new award category

A new award will be added to this the third annual Independent Handbag Designer Awards (IHDA). Crystallized – Swarovski Elements, will sponsor a new category, inviting designers to create innovative new handbags and compete for the Award, ‘Best Use of Crystallized’. – Swarovski Elements’. This collaboration will inspire handbag designers to incorporate crystals as a creative ingredient.

For the first time all registered designers may participate by submitting a detailed sketch of their handbag design, incorporating Crystallized – Swarovski Elements. Designers are encouraged to create bags of any material or silhouette while utilizing the Swarovski Elements as embellishment, trimming or as part of the core concept. The five best ideas will be chosen by the Handbag Designer 101 Preliminary Judging Panel, giving the selected designers unlimited access to Crystallized – Swarovski Elements, to execute their final design. The winner will be announced at the annual awards ceremony on June 17, 2009 at The New York Historical Society.

As of January 2009 the Crystallized – Swarovski Elements collection of crystal stones and semi-finished products along with colour charts and application instructions will be available as download, which can be found on Handbag Designer 101's Handbag Awards page to Swarovski's website. In addition, the trend team from Crystallized – Swarovski Elements will begin to provide regular features and tips on Handbag Designer 101, including innovations and product launches, upcoming new colours, trend forecasts and application know how.

Crystallized – Swarovski Elements makes it a priority to support and encourage the creativity and talent of the design community." states Stephan Toljan, VP of Market Management. "It is our pleasure to have Crystallized – Swarovski Elements sponsor this year's Independent Handbag Designer Awards and to create a new handbag category that will both inspire and support designers to incorporate the creative material crystal in their one of a kind pieces.”

The winner of the 2009 ‘Best Use of Crystallized – Swarovski Elements’ award will receive a crystal sponsorship with free access to crystals and Swarovski expertise, to produce a limited edition of the winner bag.

Image: Swarovski Crystallized