When you’re Swarovski, a brand beloved for your glittering creations, there’s only one logical place to stage the American stop of your traveling immersive exhibit: Los Angeles. Tinseltown plays home to the final stop of Masters of Light, a retrospective curated by British fashion critic Alexander Fury and envisioned by Swarovski’s global creative director Giovanna Engelbert spans 130 years and serves as a tribute to the Austrian’s history of craftsmanship and creativity. Running from now through November 3 at Amoeba Music, you’ll find installations like Pop Icons, Silver Screen Style, Mathemagical and more. Highlights include Marilyn Monroe’s gown to costumes worn by the likes of Beyoncé, Madonna and Lady Gaga to playful discoveries like a sparkling Minion.
Yesterday, we caught up with Engelbert to chat through the exhibit from her favourite section to how movies play a role in the process, and why she has a healthy obsession with a certain floppy haired actor.
1. Los Angeles is the latest stop for this exhibit, how does it differ from the other cities?
This is our third, after Shanghai and Milan. I wanted to curate the fashion with each city in mind. So Shanghai was our starting point then Milan had a focus on Italian style including the savoir faire of the brand. For Los Angeles, it’s pop icons and the silver screen. We have to pay tribute to the origins of the golden era of Hollywood – it’s almost 100 years old. So we go from the ’20s, ’30s, all of the decades.
2. What is your favourite section in this exhibit?
Oh, that’s asking to choose your favorite child! Silver Screen Style I love and of course, Mathemagical is very dear to me. What is it they say? The newest and the youngest child is always the favorite child? Let’s put it this way, because it is fresh, the whole exhibition here is my favourite!
3. What is a piece visitors should keep an eye out for when walking through the exhibit?
Every room is a must see!
4. What surprised you as you were working on this project?
There’s so much history behind each costume – which was considered the most beautiful dress at that time and by whom. It’s also surprising to see how touched people are about beauty. So there’s still hope for beauty!
5. Was there anything that didn’t make the cut that you wished you could have included?
I’m not gonna tell you? Are you kidding me? Not one thing! Hahaha. But no, all the really important parts, it’s absolutely here. We did our homework.
6. What is the one takeaway you hope guests will leave with?
It’s really about feeling uplifted and filled with joy – the essence of what Swarovski is about.
7. Given that this is an ode to Hollywood, what movie inspires you?
Swarovski as a brand, is Willy Wonka, for sure. But of course I loved Moulin Rouge – those costumes gave me that rush when it came out, like the necklace that we have in the exhibition here. Also, Cher! She’s not a movie but she’s everything.
8. If you could dress any star, dead or alive, in Swarovski, who would it be?
9. What three things would you bring to a deserted island?
Probably Timothée Chalamet too!
10. What’s your favourite thank you gift?
Definitely Timothée Chalamet! Hahaha.
Photography courtesy of Swarovski.
