The European runways always captivate and compel and now Tangent knows the secret why, Swarovski Crystallized. Crystallized is the fashion side of the Swarovski empire, that has seen the worlds top designers incorporate glittering crystals into their seasonal collections.

This years SS0910 runways were no different, in fact they were some of the best ever. Fourteen designers took up the challenge of manipulating these precious gemstones into form sculpting garments, loose knits and tapestry style embroidery, from New York to Paris with a few storpodartapovers in between.

The grotesquely beautiful creations of Rodarte were the perfect example of how crystals can make the dress. The two sister designers, Kate and Laura Mulleavy, built crystals into garments comprised of found shredded strips of leather, plastic and macramé.  The result was the manifestation of their inspiration, a girl “mangled and decayed” left bare and lost by a natural disaster, searching through the remainders for pieces of beauty to swathe her broken body in.  She rejoices in the brilliant crystals that emerge from the burnt earth to adorn her in a fragmented cocoon of scintillating beauty.  Crystallized is clearly an integral part of the seasonal Rodarte story, “‘Crystals give depth to fabric,” explains Laura ‘they can also create colours that are broken by the facets, so you see the garment differently.” “ A dress just isn’t finished without a crystal,” Kate adds.

Meanwhile Erdem, in its seventh season of collaboration with Swarovski Crystallized, used crystals to create vivid canvases of modern Japanesque style beauty. Silk Kimono’s became structural cocktail dresses with equally decadent embellishment reminiscent of both the traditional 1920’s and contemporary Japanese ‘Modan gaaru’ girls. Crystallized Colourways from rosewater opals to fuchsia and purple velvet crystals formed stunning apparitions of watershed magnificence.

Things just kept getting better at the Giles Deacon show where Swarovski crystals were veiled by puffs of tulle, creating a sense of elusive surrealism.  The real genius in the Giles Deacon use of crystals though was his accessories, everything from the Scooby doo bags to oversized insects were covered in Swarovski’s dazzling beads and crystals, Two days work went into each one, according to the 39 year old designer, who was inspired by a documentary about the recent discovery of 56 new species in the Bosavi crater in Papua New Guinea. When nature combined with Giles surreal take on design and Swarovski the result was electric, vibrant prom style tulle skirts and bondage metallic corsets complete with Swarovski Crystals became a sparkle in the cheeky wink of the joker’s eye.

Other standouts included Antonio Berardi, who on his return to London fashion week remained faithful to Swarovski using crystals to frame segments of the body into a fragmented armor of stoic fragility. Holly Fulton used crystals to carve vibrant geometric patterns into her art deco inspired designs and Mary Katrantzou mirrored the abstract pigments of glass blowing, decking her models out in effervescent crystal accessories and equally decadent print dresses.

In short the European Runways were one big glittering show of imagination augmented by the raw sparkle of Swarovski. Swarovski is re-writing a famous song with their runway extravaganzas, yep diamonds are out, “ Crystals are a wardrobes best friend,” and it certainly looks like it’s going to be a number one hit so stay tuned.