The charm of a metamorphosis hides in its philosophy. According to Greek mythology, the shape a subject takes in the final stage of its transformation is never brand-new. Rather, it is an expression of something–a quality, a secret–that has been hidden in the subject for too long. Think about it as a sleeping attribute that finally sets free–the final chance for the subject to fully embrace its deepest self.
For Swarovski’s latest campaign, Creative Director Giovanna Engelbert partnered up with fashion photographer Steven Meisel and makeup artist Dame Pat McGrath to evoke this same fascinating concept. “Metamorphosis” is a celebration of joyful self-expression and incitement to voice our dormant selves, those we might have trapped under social constructs or embedded fears.
“Its inspiration is the link between the transformative power of art and the transformative power of jewelry,” said Engelbert.
Relying on the magical power of crystals, Swarovski crafted a series of mythical creatures–Butterfly, Parrot, Pineapple, and Turtle–representing some of the House’s most iconic jewelry families. Swarovski’s Florere, Idyllia, Gema, Dextera, and Millenia take on new shapes with McGrath’s visionary makeup artistry, an essential element in imagining the tropical flora and fauna of Swarovski’s “Metamorphosis” universe.
Engelbert explained the campaign was also inspired by the House’s Austrian heritage, specifically by Empress Maria-Theresa’s Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna. “Maria-Theresa’s garden rooms are populated from her dreams. They are fantastical spaces painted with murals of exotic flora and fauna from around the globe that would never naturally share the same habitat. In the same way, I wanted to create an enchanted crystal garden that does not exist in nature but still brings the same joy.”
Intending to bring the power of crystals to you, Miesel captured the wonder of this natural world and the unique personalities of each Swarovski jewelry design in a series of mesmerizing images.