Swarovski sparked its 130th anniversary celebrations in Hollywood on Tuesday night, hosting the exclusive U.S. opening for its “Masters of Light” exhibition — a glittering tribute to the Austrian crystal house’s century-long dialogue with fashion and film.
The evening drew Cher with Alexander Edwards; Kylie Jenner (who declined to be photographed); Viola Davis; Venus Williams; Elizabeth Olsen; Amelia Gray; Brooks Nader; Emily Ratajkowski; Alex Consani; Jeff Goldblum, and a slew of reporters who were flown out for the occasion, who joined Swarovski’s global creative director Giovanna Engelbert and chief executive officer Alexis Nasard. It was a night of shimmer, with Champagne and crystals galore.
Set inside the former Amoeba Music store, the immersive exhibition traces Swarovski’s history through its most memorable collaborations. Among the standout displays is the original Marilyn Monroe gown that the icon famously wore to serenade President John F. Kennedy (and later worn by Kim Kardashian at the Met Gala) — crafted with more than 2,500 Swarovski crystals.
Visitors particularly marveled at Cinderella’s glass slipper and Dorothy’s ruby heels from “The Wizard of Oz,” reminders of Swarovski’s lasting imprint on Hollywood.
Curated by Alexander Fury, “Masters of Light” also spotlights a Pop Icons gallery, featuring crystal-encrusted stage costumes once worn by the likes of Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, Madonna, Lady Gaga, Grace Jones and Harry Styles, with designs by Christian Dior, Marc Jacobs, Mugler, Schiaparelli, Thom Browne, Tom Ford, Versace, Vivienne Westwood, and more.
The exhibition, which has traveled to Vienna, Milan, Shanghai and Seoul, is open to the public in Los Angeles through Monday. Located at 1440 Cahuenga Boulevard, proceeds from the $10 tickets benefit L.A. nonprofit Baby2Baby.