12 January 2024

Preview of the Vienna Opera Ball's jewelry. The Swarovski tiara designed by Giovanna Engelbert for the debutantes of the Vienna Opera Ball blends contemporary fashion with the aesthetics of Austria's imperial jewelry.

Today Fashion.at attended the press conference of the Vienna Opera Ball, where the program of the opening with opera stars was announced. The highlight on February 8th will be a premiere - the first ever duet at the opening of the Vienna Opera Ball. Elina Garanca and Serena Sáenz will perform the 'Barcarolle' from 'Les Contes d'Hoffmann' by Jacques Offenbach. Another highlight will be the ballet 'La Séparation', a waltz by Mykola Lysenko, performed by the Vienna State Ballet with choreography by Alexei Ratmansky and costumes by Adeline André. The costumes of the ballet, designed by Adeline André, a member of the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture Parisienne, weren't revealed today. But the design of the most eagerly awaited piece of jewelry, the tiara of the 160 debutantes, was presented by Yelena Aschberger, Swarovski's Head of Global Product Marketing. The tiara was worn by a debutante in a ball gown. She was accompanied by her dance partner in a black tailcoat. His silver cufflinks, with a brilliant-cut diamond in the center of the white mother-of-pearl inlay, are from Vienna Opera Ball men's jewelry partner Heldwein. The Viennese jeweler has been designing cufflinks for the male debutants since 2012. Traditionally, Swarovski provides its own tiara creations each year. These include collaborations with prominent designers such as Karl Lagerfeld and Donatella Versace. This year, as last year, the crystal brand under the direction of Swarovski Global Creative Director Giovanna Engelbert developed a headpiece from a current collection with a reference to Austria's heritage. For the tiara 2024, Giovanna Engelbert drew inspiration from the current 'Mesmera' collection and Austria's imperial jewelry. Today, Swarovski posted a video on Instagram for a closer view of the tiara.

Both Swarovski and Heldwein offer a look at the jewelry in their stores. The cufflinks, designed in-house at the Heldwein studio, are also available in a small limited edition at the Wiener Graben store. The Swarovski tiara is on display in the Swarovski Kristallwelten store at Kärntnerstrasse 24 in Vienna. Selected historical pieces are showcased, such as the first Opera Ball crown from 1956, the first Swarovski tiara 'Red Carpet' as well as tiaras from famous designer collaborations.

Images from the press conference of the Vienna Opera Ball on January 12, 2024 at the Vienna State Opera: The pictures show the Swarovski tiara designed by Swarovski Creative Director Giovanna Engelbert and this year's floral decoration with the rose 'Pink Floyd' created under the direction of Maryam Yeganehfar from the organization team of the ball. Right: Actress Lilian Klebow, jury member of the Couture Salon of the Opera Ball, which will take place on January 17th at the Hotel Bristol (article), and one of the presenters of the ORF live broadcast (on ORF on February 8th at 8:15 pm) is standing next to Yelena Aschberger, Swarovski's Head of Global Product Marketing. Photos: © Katharina Schiffl.