28.05.2004 – 10:40

Swarovski International Holding AG

International Event in the Swarovski Crystal Worlds: Crystal - inspired by Africa

Wattens, Austria (ots)

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African supermodel Alek Wek was the
dazzling highlight of a spectacular show staged by Swarovski to
present its Autumn/Winter collection 2004 - "Out of Africa". Just for
the evening, the Swarovski Crystal Worlds, created by Austrian
multi-media artist Andrè Heller, were transformed into a dream world
inspired by Africa. More than 180 international fashion and design
journalists, as well as guests from the world of culture and
business, witnessed a scintillating show which marked the start of a
new direction in the company's brand strategy.

"Our theme collections and new products convey universal values
and emotions such as beauty and joie de vivre. But we will also
continue to depend on our traditional company strengths -
innovativeness, creativity and a constant quest for perfection", says
member of the Executive Board Robert Buchbauer, who, together with
fellow board member Markus Langes-Swarovski, was the host of the
international event in Wattens in the Tyrol.

Emotion, zeitgeist and innovation will be the hallmark of future
twice-yearly collections. The Autumn/Winter collection 2004 draws its
inspiration from the exotic beauty and diversity of the Dark
Continent. It is an exciting range of mix and match jewellery,
fashion accessories,  decorative crystal objects and home décor
accessories, combining cut crystal with typical natural materials
such as buffalo horn, mother-of-pearl, dark woods and leather.

Inspired by nature

The "Out of Africa" collection reflects an important tradition of
the Swarovski company - a name traditionally associated with the
production of crystal jewellery stones. Swarovski crystals have
always been used by designers and couturiers all over the world. But
for Daniel Swarovski, who founded the company in 1895, respect for
nature was a fundamental facet of his company philosophy. Nature has
served as a constant source of inspiration for new creations. The
range of popular crystal animal figurines, launched in the mid
nineteen-seventies, was the first with which Swarovski sought direct
contact with the end-consumer. Since then, the Consumer Goods
Business unit has gone from strength to strength. Today, the animal
figurines have been joined by a large range of decorative and
functional crystal objects, as well as jewellery, watches and fashion
accessories. This Autumn/Winter under the motto "Out of Africa".

Contact:

Swarovski International Holding AG
Frau Simone Feix
Postfach
General Wille Strasse 88
8706 Feldmeilen
Tel. +41/1/925'77'39
E-Mail: simone.feix@swarovski.com