Donatella Versace creates Swarovski tiara for Vienna Opera Ball

By

Godfrey Deeny

Published
Nov 19, 2018

Donatella Versace has created the tiaras for the debutantes at next year’s Vienna Opera Ball, using Swarovski crystals to dramatic effect.

Versace took inspiration from a scene in Richard Wagner’s Das Rheingold, where sunshine suddenly shines through a clearing to reveal that a gold treasure is being protected by three Rhine maidens.
 
All debutantes are invited to wear the tiara when they make their debut at the ball, next scheduled for the night of February 28, 2019.

“I am fascinated by anything that is new, innovative, and future-oriented. In my opinion, the conception of Swarovski crystals was a revolution in the world of fashion and the way in which we embellish clothing. The crystals are now produced under strict compliance with the requirements of protecting the environment and sustainability, which for me is extremely important,” said Versace in a release.
 
“I used them recently for the Green Carpet Awards in Milan to create three sparkling dresses for Atelier Versace. I am proud of the collaboration we have developed with Swarovski. They really give something extra to my designs!” added the artistic director of the Medusa House.

 
Versace was invited by Maria Großbauer, the organizer of the Opera Ball, which in its next edition will feature golden rays set with Swarovski crystal to illuminate the treasure at the center of the set. While Versace used 380 crystals on each Swarovski tiara to create dramatic luminosity.
 
“Swarovski has been a proud partner of the Vienna Opera Ball since the 1950s. We are honored and delighted that with Donatella Versace we have now added another exceptional designer for the creation of the Swarovski Tiara. Inspired by the opera The Ring of the Nibelung and our crystals, Donatella has designed one of the finest Swarovski Tiaras of the past half-century,” said Nadja Swarovski, member of the Swarovski executive board.
 
Swarovski has linked with the world-famous Vienna Opera Ball since in the 1950s, partnering with  different international designers to add sparkle to the debutantes’ tiaras. Previous designers have included Karl Lagerfeld and Dolce & Gabbana.