Christian Lacroix designed the Swarovski Tiara for the debutantes of the Vienna Opera Ball 2020

Swarovski will collaborate with legendary French designer Christian Lacroix to create the tiara for the debutantes at the 2020 Vienna Opera Ball. Lacroix’s tiara design has been inspired by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s The Magic Flute and the iconic and powerful character of the Queen of the Night. The headpiece features 72 clear-colored crystals, with three bursts of star-shaped stones, and a line of circular crystals decorating the base. The tiara is designed to conjure the magical allure of music, the night sky, and fairytale stories of princes and princesses.

This collaboration represents the continuation of a long-term partnership following Swarovski’s previous support to embellish costumes for Lacroix’s ballet projects, from the Vienna State Opera (Balanchine ballet evenings) to the Opera Garnier (‘La Source’ Revival) in Paris.
Christian Lacroix, Artistic Director, commented: “I felt truly honored when I was asked to design a tiara for the Vienna Opera Ball – I remember as a child having admired on screen all these couture-clad, beautiful young debutantes waltzing as if in a perfect high-fashion musical. And I have always loved working with crystals in fashion and in my ballet projects: without Swarovski’s crystals these show costumes would have never been the same. For this ball, I was inspired by stars at night and by Mozart’s larger-than-life opera to create something special for the debutantes. I hope that all these tiaras waltzing will create amazing dynamic constellations – fitting for these young Queens of the Night!”

Maria Großbauer, organizer of the Vienna Opera Ball: “My inspiration and the theme for the Vienna Opera Ball 2020, is the famous “Queen of the Night“, as such I asked Monsieur Lacroix to take on this dramatic opera character. The “star-blazing queen“ is a special woman: mystical, magical and brilliant, but also strong, powerful and dangerous. All the debutantes become Queens of the Night with this Swarovski tiara! On the one hand, the tiara sparkles on debutantes’ heads, and on the other, it is a symbol of strength and self-confidence – something which I sincerely wish for these young women.“

Dominique Meyer, Director of the Wiener Staatsoper: “I am very grateful to everyone involved, especially Nadja Swarovski and opera ball organizer Maria Großbauer, who once again found a top international designer to create the tiara for the debutantes of the Vienna Opera Ball. I am particularly pleased that this time, it was Christian Lacroix, who is an enthusiast and nonetheless a connoisseur of our genre: He has over the years contributed to several international opera productions – among others during my tenure as General Director of the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées – and he created the costumes for ballet productions at the Vienna State Opera as well as for the New Year’s Concert. A beautiful, strong connection, I think!“

Nadja Swarovski, Member of the Swarovski Executive Board, commented: “Swarovski has been proud to collaborate with the Vienna Opera Ball on stunning crystal tiaras for the debutantes since the 1950s, and we are delighted to partner with our longstanding creative collaborator Christian Lacroix on the 2020 edition. Celebrating the magic of Mozart’s Queen of the Night, Christian Lacroix’s starbursts of jewels add another layer of sparkle to this extraordinary cultural event.“

The enduring link between Swarovski and the world-famous Vienna Opera Ball was formed back in the 1950s. Swarovski has partnered with a different international designer each year to add sparkle to the debutantes’ tiaras in remarkable ways. Previous designers include Karl Lagerfeld, Donatella Versace and Dolce & Gabbana. With the continuing support of the Opera Ball, Swarovski once again demonstrates its longstanding commitment to artistic tradition and culture.

The Vienna Opera Ball will take place on February 20, 2020 at the Vienna State Opera.