The setting of the factory admist hills and mountains could not have been prettier, and we were intruigued by the giant's head, build on top of a 'Tellytubbie land' like hillside, guarding it with his enormous crystal eyes.
It turned out that it was the entrance to the Swarovski 'Crystal Worlds', a subterranean, magical world...
.. featuring crystaline art works by Salvador Dali, Keith Haring and Andy Warhol, installations by André Heller, sculputures by Alexander McQueen and Niki de Saint Phalle, sound worlds by Brian Eno and the largest cut crystal (300,000 karats) in the world. My favorite expo was the crystal dome, where you walk into a dome shaped room, made of 595 elements, and watch in wonder as they transform into every changing worlds, making you feel as if floating in space.
And of course there were amazing displays of fabulous Swarovski creations, sparkling in every corner. The settee below inviting visitors to relax in the retail space (their largest worldwide) was incredible smooth to the touch, even though the surface was made up completely by crystals.
The Crystal World is open all year round, except for the 1st of January and the 2nd and 3rd week of November.
6112 Wattens/Tirol
Austria
Tel: +43 5224 51080
www.swarovki.com/crystal worlds
And as by request from my dear readers, here is what I've been wearing at the wedding. Silk dress in pale aquamarine/cream, cream lace jacket embroidered with pearls and beads, shells and sequins, embroidered linen shoes and pearl earrings.
I was curious as to what you were wearing, but didn't dare ask. It was a gorgeous outfit, Maitai! You look radiant. And the embroidered shoes...Love!
ReplyDeleteI visited Innsbruck many years ago and the photos you posted brought back many memories of the beautiful scenery, although when I visited it was covered in snow!
ReplyDeleteYour outfit is just beautiful. i especially love the shoes. They're so different and elegant.
ReplyDeleteYou look lovely Mai Tai! Merci for indulging us. It's the perfect wedding outfit. I have a pair of crimson embroidered slippers that I wear every Christmas Eve. What a beautiful jacket too.
ReplyDeleteMaitai, you are a glowing vision! What a beautiful, delicate, and romantic outfit - adore the embroidered lace jacket. A huge thank you for granting my shoe wish! You are the sweetest. Sending you a big thank you hug <3 The embroidered shoes are so special - gorgeous and a perfect compliment - love the combination of colors and the fine details. Also love the pearl earrings - so delicate. All of your ensembles look as if each element was made just for that particular outfit - what talent! The Swarovski's world is fascinating - hope one day I can see it in person - sounds like something to be experienced with all the senses. Thank you for sharing your beautiful weekend. Have a great weekend :-)
ReplyDeleteFirst I want to thank Scarf Enthusiast for writing out so nicely, what I was thinking also ;-) You look absolutely divine! Thank you also for sharing those beautiful pics and the detailed information regarding the Swarovski crystal world. Have to get ready now, as the HFT and I are also invited to a wedding today :-). hugs to you, dear MaiTai, HM.
ReplyDeleteI too love the shoes and appreciate Scarf Enthusiast's request for footwear shots!! Thank you as well for the fantasy photos of Swarovski's Crystal Worlds.... how touching that Alexander McQueen lives on through his sculpture there.
ReplyDeleteI went to the Swarovski factory 15 years ago and remember it as being sparkly and fabulous. While the displays are different now, your pics and post capture its essence as I remember; a wonderland for grownups! Thanks Maitai for making me smile and for sharing so much with all of us. I know my world is a little more sparkly and glamorous because of your blog.
ReplyDeletebooksnchocolate, Esprit de la Vie, Lulu, emilyatheart, Scarf Enthusiast, hair-mess, SMR, Bkln Diva ~ I so enjoyed reading your lovely comments, messages and personal stories, our exchanges here bring so much joy. Many thanks also for the sweet compliments, you are so very kind to say so x
ReplyDeleteI’d love to hear what’s on your mind, dear booksnchocolate, and hope that in future you will ask me any question you might have <3
Esprit de la Vie, great to see you posting here, a warm welcome to you. I can just imagine how beautiful Innsbruck would be in winter..the skiing there must be simply fantastic too!
Oh I love the shoes too, Lulu! I was so happy when I discovered them, they truly feel like the cherry on the icing of the cake :-)
emilyatheart, it was a real pleasure! Glad you asked for a pic, and please continue to do so :-) Your crimson slippers sound beautiful, such a wonderful Christmas tradition to wear them every year <3
Scarf Enthusiast, you are very welcome re the shoes, it actually was a superb idea, and something I have not thought of myself. Will try and post footwear pics more frequently. When DS saw me taking photos of the embroidered shoes, he looked at me as if I have lost my mind completely. I sometimes wonder how this shapes his view on woman, lol!
Hope you had a lovely wedding, dear hair-mess. The crystal world truly is a wonder world for grown ups, as Bkln Diva has put it so well, hope you will make there one day. Hugs to you too x
SMR, I am with you re SE request, it truly adds another fun dimension to the capsules! I had the same sentiments as you re AMcQ’s sculpture, it was very special to have seen there a little part of the immense and rich legacy he left behind.
Bkln Diva, oh how I love finding out to have crossed paths with my dear readers and friends, it is just so nice to have that extra connection. And a wonder world for grownups it definitely was! Your post made me smile, so thank you to you too.
SO pretty, feminine and just wedding day perfect !! Amou
ReplyDeleteAll I can say, MT, is that you must have outshone the bride. You truly looked lovely - perfect.
ReplyDeleteOh, and those shoes!
You look gorgeous!! And the embroidered shoes are lovely =) I'm glad we got to meet last week, and am looking forward to Summer!
ReplyDeleteMaiTai, you are very generous to take requests! How can your DS not form a wonderful image of women with you as his mother, who's beauty goes far beyond great sense of style and joie de vivre - huge kind heart, strength of confidence, multitudes of talents which you choose to share with the world, integrity in your work, pouring your heart into something you feel passionate about, true inner grace and beauty, shall I go on?.....And these are only a few of the things which I, and I'm sure many, have taken away from our exchanges on your beautiful blog.
ReplyDeleteThank you to hair-mess and SMR!
I was in Innsbruck as a child... before the Svarovski museum existed; a visit is on my list of things to do with the family!
ReplyDeleteI really adore the light and airy outfit you wore to the wedding. Perfect, down to the very last pearl drop!
How fun to visit Swarovsky Crystals! Thanks for sharing those amazing pictures. And your wedding outfit is lovely!
ReplyDeleteDearest Amou, Jerrine, DD, Scarf Enthusiast, dance and Deja Pseu ~ many thanks for your lovely compliments and kind words <3
ReplyDeleteDear Amou, SO glad you liked the outfit! ;-)
Oh Jerrine, the bride was so elegant and very JackieO like, you would have loved it!
You are so so sweet, dear Scarf Enthusiast, and way too generous. But thank you so much, I truly treasure your kindness and cherish the beauty of your words <3
Have fun at the museum, dear dance, it's a wonderful trip for a family outing! I regret not having had 'my men' with me, I know they would have loved it too!
It was great fun to go and see the HQ, dear Deja Pseu, and it makes me appriciate the Swarovski pieces I have even more :-)
DD, it was such fun to see you last week, looking very much forward to seeing you again in summer! <3
ReplyDeleteJust like a princess :D beautiful
ReplyDeleteI absolutely adore swarovski. One day I will love to visit austria and the crystal world.
Thanks for the beautiful pics
Thank you, dear casiewbao, happily blushing here! Hope you'll make it to the crystal world one day soon, it would be a fabulous outing for the whole family! x
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