Active crystals sparkle with sound
Swarovski and Philips unveiled their first collaborative project, a selection of veritable jewels of technology called “Active Crystals”. Synonymous with freedom of movement, energy, design, high fashion and high tech, Philips and Swarovski are merging their design efforts to create technological solutions with a fashionable, sparkling twist.
The in-house design teams joined forces to create a line of ear-phones and USB memory keys made of silver metal and transparent crystal. Music and light, poetry and precision, art and technology; are just a few words to describe how Philips and Swarovski have united to invigorate consumers’ senses.
“Philips consumer products represent the best in style and design for the consumer electronics space,” explains Daniel Cohen, Member of Swarovski’s Executive Board. “The Philips brand continues to grow in stature, notably in the field of sound and ear-phones where its products are considered among the best in the world.
Swarovski is of course a well-known brandname in the fashion and jewellery industry and brings credibility, style, design and opportunity to Philips to create a unique product proposition and engage in a new market space. “We are delighted to be partnering with Swarovski. The alliance enables us to enter the market of luxurious and fashionable electronic accessories for women,” said Rudy Provoost, CEO of Philips Consumer Electronics. “Our cooperation creates a unique value proposition combining Philips leadership in innovation and Swarovski luxury aspiration. These new products will change the way women interact with innovation and technology.”
Technology, Style and Simplicity
Whether enjoying music at home, in the office, sitting on the subway or relaxing at the beach, “Active Crystals” four new pair of ear-phones (Space, Icon, Mirage and Amazone) will allow consumers to enjoy music in luxurious comfort. Space is a totally discreet form of luxury: a facetted crystal moulded in the silver metal of headphones fitted to the ear. In contrast, Icon is accented by a dome of facetted crystal. Lightweight (no more than 20 grams) and set with elegant transparent silver coloured fabric cables, the ear-phones are fitted with comfortable rubber pads.
Through Mirage, Philips and Swarovski raised the tone in elegance and innovation. Fitted around the ears, the ear-phones are adorned with an oval-facetted crystal navette covering a rubber cushion.
A high-tech piece of jewellery, the Amazone necklace is fashioned with grains of silver metallic beads and closed by one magnetic cylinder. On one side, the clasp can hold a featherweight MP3 player; the other side features two headphones in silver metal and facetted crystal.
In order to not lose any working files or 'that presentation', the USB memory keys Heart Ware and Heart Beat are worn as fashionable pendants. Connected by a silver cord, the keys take the form of hearts in polished silver metal connected in asymmetric facetted crystal, or in metal decorated with crystals created with Swarovski’s exclusive Ceralun™ technique. Each heart opens to reveal the essential key with one gigabyte of capacity, enabling the storage up to 1000 photos or 250 songs.
Equally well-conceived and featuring one gigabyte of capacity, the Lock In and Lock Out memory keys attach easily to a key-chain, a loop on a wallet, etc. Blending silver metal and crystal, these truly luxurious USB memory keys blend silver metal and crystal into a sophisticated design. The cylindrical body of Lock In is covered with facetted crystal baguettes while Lock Out is studded with Ceralun ™ crystals. Simply press on the side of the cylinder to release the key from its case.
In the interest of security and the preservation of data, all four models are protected by a user password to protect sensitive information.
Active Crystals collection will be commercially available in department stores, consumer electrons retails and Swarovski stores as of August 2007. In the meantime, in June, Colette (French concept store – Paris) will show a sneak preview of the collection: four products from the forthcoming collection and 2 exclusive USB locks produced in limited edition.
Active Crystals will bright up your day at the office and will illuminate every boardroom....
More information?
Colette Paris at www.colette.fr
Active Crystals at www.activecrystals.com