Swarovski Collective 2017 designers announced

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!”

Swarovski Collective adds new designers

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