LOS ANGELES, Feb. 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — Swarovski has partnered with Tony and Emmy Award®-winning production designer Derek McLane to create a spectacular set design for the 90th Oscars® on Sunday, March 4, 2018. This year’s show will mark Swarovski’s 11th year illuminating the Oscars stage, and the 6th year that McLane will incorporate Swarovski crystals throughout the show’s set design. McLane has earned Primetime Emmy Award® nominations for every year he’s worked on the Oscars telecasts and won in 2014. Key features of this year’s Oscars set design include: a brand-new proscenium; the return of the beloved floating Oscars; and a signature backdrop curtain and opera box covers.
“The Oscars is one of the most glamorous and storied nights of the year, celebrated the world over,” said Nadja Swarovski, Member of the Swarovski Executive Board. “We are proud to collaborate with Oscars production designer Derek McLane to help execute his vision for this momentous 90th anniversary. For generations, Swarovski has demonstrated a dedication to the arts, film, costume designers, architecture and fashion. We strive for symbiotic partnerships and our 11 years illuminating the Oscars stage has been extraordinarily meaningful.”
McLane visited Swarovski’s historic headquarters in Wattens, Austria, earlier this year to experience the heritage of Swarovski firsthand. He harnessed inspiration for this year’s set design from the impressive creativity, innovation and craftsmanship showcased in Kristallwelten’s enchanting grounds, educational exhibits and knowledgeable guides. Following his trip, McLane designed a new proscenium for the 90th Oscars featuring more than 45 million crystals. The piece will be constructed from octagonal tiles with a mix of crystal, metal, mirror and other materials to achieve its complex and beautiful shape.
Returning for a second year will be the spectacular floating Oscars, featuring over 140,000 crystals. The installation will also include an original backdrop curtain, shimmering with over 80,000 crystals. Finally, the theater’s opera boxes will once again be embellished with over 23,000 breathtaking Swarovski stones.
Swarovski’s history on the silver screen goes back to the early days of Hollywood over 85 years ago, when its crystals made their debut in the Marlene Dietrich film Blonde Venus. Swarovski crystals have played a supporting role in some of cinema’s most memorable moments and have dressed its most iconic stars, from Judy Garland in The Wizard of Oz, Marilyn Monroe in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, to Jennifer Hudson in Dreamgirls, Nicole Kidman in Moulin Rouge! and Emma Watson in Beauty and the Beast.
The 90th Oscars will be held on Sunday, March 4, 2018, at the Dolby Theatre® at Hollywood & Highland Center® in Hollywood, and will be broadcast live on the ABC Television Network at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. The Oscars, produced by Michael De Luca and Jennifer Todd and hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, also will be televised in more than 225 countries and territories worldwide. Additionally, “The Oscars: All Access” live stream from the red carpet and backstage will begin at 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT.
Swarovski
Swarovski delivers a diverse portfolio of unmatched quality, craftsmanship, and creativity.
Founded in 1895 in Austria, the company designs, manufactures and markets high-quality crystals, genuine gemstones and created stones as well as finished products such as jewelry, accessories and lighting. The Swarovski Crystal Business is run by the fifth generation of family members and has a global reach with approximately 2,800 stores in around 170 countries, more than 27,000 employees, and revenue of about 2.6 billion euros in 2016. Together with its sister companies Swarovski Optik (optical devices) and Tyrolit (abrasives), Swarovski Crystal Business forms the Swarovski Group. In 2016, the Group generated revenue of about 3.37 billion euros and employed more than 32,000 people. A responsible relationship with people and the planet is an integral part of Swarovski’s heritage. The global Swarovski Waterschool education program has reached 461,000 children on the world’s greatest rivers, and the Swarovski Foundation, set up in 2013, works to support culture and creativity, promote wellbeing, and conserve natural resources to achieve positive social impact
