Swarovski opens Designer Collective application for 2017

The Swarovski Collective, which has supported more than 150 designers in the last 15 years, has opened the application process for spring/summer 2017.

The scheme, launched by Nadja Swarovski, provides financial and product support to emerging designers in the world’s four main fashion capitals - London, Paris, New York and Milan.

Designers need to get their applications in before May 20 at SwarovskiCollective.com and will need to submit creative concepts alongside an application form.

If successful, the designers will work with Swarovski for the spring/summer 2017 and autumn/winter 2017 seasons, collaborating with the firm on campaigns, events, and product collaborations, and benefit from support with retail partnerships, as well as using Swarovski’s crystals in their catwalk collections.

Since its launch, the Swarovski Collective has collaborated with fashion designers including Alexander Wang, Proenza Schouler, Marios Schwab, and Alexander McQueen. Last year's successful applicants were Alexander Lewis, Christian Wijnants, Creatures of the Wind, David Koma, Emilia Wickstead, Esteban Cortazar, Haizhen Wang, Iris Van Herpen, Peter Pilotto, Rosie Assoulin, Tanya Taylor, Thomas Tait, Tim Coppens, Tome and Vivienne Hu.

In addition, at the end of the programme, the collective member deemed to be the most innovative in their use of Swarovski crystals will receive the Swarovski Collective award.

Images: Swarovski Collective - Emilia Wickstead