Christmas in Paris sees Silvera’s store windows in Avenue Kleber ablaze with thousands of glittering Swarovski crystals. They are the crystal stones embedded in Tatlin, Getsuen, Sushi and Flap, designer items by Edra, the acclaimed Italian furniture design and research company. Edra joined forces with the famous Austrian crystal glass manufacturer back in 2001 when the hugely successful Flap, the variable configuration sofa designed by Francesco Binfaré in 2000, was the first article to be studded with no less than 750,000 crystal nuggets using an exclusive procedure developed especially by the firm from Wattens in Austria. The crystal gems are first placed on a transparent plastic film and then transferred to the pre-cut upholstery fabric containing Kevlar by patented "Hot-Fix" technology using a special, heat-activated, permanent glue. These glittering gowns are then stitched to the frames by expert hands in Edra’s couture department. 2005 saw the two firms work on another project. This time Damier, Getsuen, Tatlin, Sushi and the backrest of On the Rocks were crystal encrusted. The result was the first Crystalliaed Collection. With the addition of these gleaming stones, upholstered sofas and armchairs learned the art of seduction.
Gem-studded fabrics highlight the clean lines and elegance of the underlying design. Designer items now have definite sex appeal. For Crystallized sofas and armchairs are unabashedly luxurious. Their sheer elegance lifts the designer object into the realm of dreams, usually the preserve of haute couture.
Every Crystallized article carries a numbered metal identity tag with the Edra and Swarovski logos stamped on it. As well as an original product guarantee, it testifies to a very special collaboration that has made design an object of desire.
Silvera’s gorgeous window displays demonstrate just how sexy design can be. Centre stage are some of Edra’s icon articles studded with Swarovski crystals.
On the Rocks, Francesco Binfaré’s innovative, sinuous sofa designed in 2004 has been given pride of place in Silvera’s other store in Faubourg Saint Antoine. The adjustable backrest sparkles with Swarovski crystals, the seductive appeal of things beautiful creating a bridge between these very different quarters of Paris.
The magical ‘diamond-studded’ effect is achieved using a high-resistance fabric containing Kevlar. The crystal nuggets are first positioned on a transparent plastic film and then transferred to the pre-cut fabric by a patented hot-application process known as "Hot-Fix". A special glue, used at high temperatures, ensures permanent adhesion of the crystals. These glittering gowns are then stitched to the frames by expert hands in Edra’s couture department.
Every Crystallized article has a numbered metal identity tag with the Edra and Swarovski logos. As well as an original product guarantee, it testifies to a special collaboration that has made design an object of desire.
Edra - Diamond Collection 2005
Following on from their first joint effort in 2000 with the Diamond Sofa - the Flap studded with 750,000 crystals - Edra and Swarovski created the Crystallized Collection, encrusting the fabrics of Damier, Getsuen Tatlin, Sushi and the backrest of On the Rocks. With these glittering cloaks, furniture too has learned the art of seduction. Studded fabrics highlight the clean lines and elegance of the underlying design. Designer items now have definite sex appeal. For Crystallized sofas and armchairs are unabashedly luxurious. Their sheer elegance lifts the designer object into the realm of dreams, usually the preserve of haute couture.
Edra’s Milan showroom exhibits the sofas and armchairs of the new Diamond Collection alongside a series of exquisitely beautiful and rare crystal objects taken from the world of art and design. A huge crouching tiger (courtesy Galleria Corso Venezia 8) is one of the works on display. Turin sculpture Nicola Bolla creates realistic animal figures which he then transforms with Swarovski crystals. This is yet another example of how design and art have developed new synergies thanks to the intriguing beauty of glittering crystals.
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text & photo: edra
