SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS @ Philips de Pury & Co

Gianfranco Ferré. Estimate 4,000-6,000 USD. photo courtesy Philips de Pury & Co

Under the high-patronage of Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, Swarovski Elements presents 22 Ways To Say Black, a charity auction of original couture to benefit breast cancer research.

SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS has commissioned 22 of fashion’s most notable known names and talented newcomers to design one-of-a-kind little black dresses for the initiative 22 Ways To Say Black. On September 20, 2010 at the acclaimed gallery, Phillips de Pury & Company in New York City, under the high-patronage of Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, the one-of-a-kind dresses will be auctioned off by Simon de Pury, with 100% of the proceeds to benefit the American Cancer Society and La ligue nationale contre le cancer in France.

3.1 Philip Lim. Estimate 3,000-5,000 USD. photo courtesy Philips de Pury & Co

Black has often been referred to as “basic,” but in the world of fashion, the celebrated “little black dress” is anything but. A starting point of haute couture both modern and in times past, the “little black dress” is where creative talent has truly shined.

Catherine Malandrino. Estimate 2,500-4,500 USD. photo courtesy Philips de Pury & Co

With this in mind, SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS commissioned Giorgio Armani Privé, Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci, Lanvin by Alber Elbaz, Sonia Rykiel, Vivienne Westwood, among other designers, to explore the aesthetic possibilities of precision cut crystals and the iconic little black dress. These original creations, all embellished with SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS, are now being put to their highest purpose, to be auctioned off to benefit the American Cancer Society and La ligue national contre le cancer, two leading cancer charities.

Gaspard Yurkievitch. Estimate 4,000-6,000 USD. photo courtesy Philips de Pury & Co

Throughout New York Fashion Week, beginning September 7 through September 20, visitors to the New York Meatpacking District outpost of Phillips de Pury & Company can preview these unique pieces which will be on display prior to the auction on the evening ofpreview these unique pieces which will be on display prior to the auction on the evening of the September 20.

Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci. Estimate 10,000-12,000 USD. photo courtesy Philips de Pury & Co 

One hundred percent of the proceeds of the auction and its accompanying catalogue, 22 Ways to Say Black, will benefit the designated charities. Published by Éditions Dilecta, the noted Paris-based art publishing house, the catalogue is available on Amazon.com and at select outlets in the United States and abroad.

In 1895, Daniel Swarovski I, a Bohemian inventor and visionary, moved to the village of Wattens, Tyrol in Austria, with his newly-invented machine for cutting and polishing crystal jewellery stones. From this beginning that revolutionised the fashion world, Swarovski has grown to be the world’s leading producer of precision-cut crystal for fashion, jewellery and more recently lighting, architecture and interiors. Today, the Swarovski group, still familyowned and run by 4th and 5th generation family members, has a global reach with some 24,800 employees, a presence in over 120 countries and a turnover in 2009 of 2.25 billion Euros. Swarovski comprises two major businesses, one producing and selling loose elements to the industry and the other creating design-driven finished products. Swarovski crystals have become an essential ingredient of international design. Since 1965 the company has also catered to the fine jewellery industry with precision-cut genuine and created gemstones. Showing the creativity that lies at the heart of the company, Swarovski’s own brand lines of accessories, jewellery and home décor items are sold through more than 1,800 retail outlets worldwide. The Swarovski Crystal Society has close to 350,000 members across the world, keen collectors of the celebrated crystal figurines. And in Wattens, Swarovski Kristallwelten, the multi-media crystal museum, was opened in 1995 as a celebration of Swarovski’s universe of innovation and inspiration. The Swarovski group also includes Tyrolit

®, manufacturing grinding tools, Swareflex, for road safety reflectors and Swarovski Optik, producing precision optical instruments.