Swarovski brings its 'Masters of Light' exhibition to Los Angeles

Swarovski's traveling exhibition “Masters of Light” made its U.S. debut Wednesday at the Amoeba Music venue in Los Angeles.

Until November 3, the exhibition celebrates the 130th anniversary of the Austrian luxury house and its heritage of creativity, craftsmanship and cultural influence.

Curated by British journalist and fashion critic Alexander Fury, and presented under the creative direction of Swarovski's global creative director Giovanna Engelbert, the latest chapter, Masters of Light — Hollywood, explores Swarovski's deep ties to the entertainment industry and its role in shaping some of the most memorable moments in film and fashion history.

“We are delighted to bring the Masters of Light exhibition to Los Angeles as part of our Years of Joy 130th anniversary celebration,” said Alexis Nasard, CEO of Swarovski.

“As the global epicenter of the music and film industry, this is the ideal setting to honor our intimate connection to Hollywood and our role in its most iconic moments. Swarovski remains a key player in pop culture through the brilliance of our various activities and we are proud to celebrate our legacy through this.”

Among the most notable exhibits is the original dress worn by Marilyn Monroe when she famously sang “Happy Birthday” to US President John F. Kennedy.

The exhibition also features the Pop Icon Chamber, which displays crystal-embellished outfits worn by artists such as Beyoncé, Madonna, Tina Turner and Lady Gaga.

Another section, Silver Screen Style, highlights Swarovski's long-standing collaborations with Hollywood costume designers and filmmakers, while Mathemagical delves into the brand's savoir-faire in crystal making and jewelry design, highlighting couture pieces created by Engelbert for the Met Gala.

Adding a contemporary twist, Engelbert expands Swarovski's narrative to include modern pop culture through displays of its iconic crystal figurines, from Disney princesses to Marvel superheroes, and introduces a limited-edition collaboration with Erewhon, featuring exclusive products available during the exhibition.

“Since I joined as global creative director in 2020, my goal has been to highlight this link between Swarovski and pop culture, fashion, stage and screen,” Engelbert explained.

“It has been a dream to work on this American premiere in the heart of Hollywood. There is no better location to showcase the iconic stories and pieces that have made us a staple of pop culture for 130 years and counting.”