LOS ANGELES, March 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The elegant, modern set of the 83rd Academy Awards®, designed by Steve Bass, prominently featured shimmering Swarovski crystals, which intensified this year's radiant display of Hollywood stars.  A Tinseltown staple in every way, Swarovski crystals enhanced not only the set, but also the atmosphere of this prestigious Awards ceremony. The illuminating crystals were incorporated into the circular stage piece where winners accepted their awards, and created a shining path accenting the steps leading up to the stage and on stage.  

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110301/NY56881-a )

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110301/NY56881-b )

In total, the room glittered with over 55,000 Swarovski crystals, especially flown in from the company's headquarters in Austria, in 11 different shapes and various sizes.  This is the fourth time that Swarovski has graced the stage of the Academy Awards® and this year the crystals continued to give the room the Swarovski aura of poetic beauty, glamour and sparkle.

The 83rd Academy Awards® aired on ABC on Sunday, February 27, 2011 from 5-8:30 pm (PST) and 8-11:30 pm (EST) live from The Kodak Theatre.  

"There is such an intimate and intricate beauty to Swarovski crystals that they became a fundamental part of the creative vision for this year's Oscar set. We chose to use Swarovski crystals because the Oscars are the most glamorous event in the world and nothing says glamour quite like Swarovski. It's the perfect pairing," said production designer, Steve Bass.

"Once again Swarovski is thrilled to be a sparkling element at the Academy Awards®, continuing our support of the Academy, Hollywood and creativity on Hollywood's biggest night," said Nadja Swarovski, Vice President of International Communications & Creative Director. "This year, we were honored to collaborate with Steve Bass on the incredible set design and look forward to seeing the shining stage on Sunday."

Additionally, the 83rd Annual Academy Awards Governors Ball sparkled with 250 strands of Swarovski crystal featuring more than 10,000 individual crystals of eight different shapes and sizes and weighing over 350 lbs.

View exclusive behind the scenes footage of the creation of the 83rd Academy Awards® set design on www.swarovski.tv.

About Swarovski

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 family-owned 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 decor 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.

SOURCE Swarovski

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