2011 Swarovski Star Revealed for Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree by Actress Olivia Wilde

NEW YORK, Nov. 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Today actress Olivia Wilde joined Swarovski, the leading designer and producer of fashion jewelry and crystal decor objects, to unveil the 2011 Swarovski star crowning the world-famous Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20111116/NY08377 )

The actress shined in stunning Swarovski jewelry from Swarovski's 2011 fall/winter collection, including Phenix Indicolite Necklace, Appolon Ring and Prism Earrings. Swarovski's holiday collection , including the 20th Anniversary Annual Edition Ornament, is available at the Swarovski holiday kiosk at Rockefeller Center, at Swarovski boutiques nationwide, and online at www.swarovski.com.  

"This is such a magical time of year," said Wilde. "I'm proud to help Swarovski make the holidays sparkle with this wonderful tradition."

This holiday season marks the 20th Anniversary of Swarovski's Annual Edition Christmas ornament. To celebrate, the brand will auction five one-of-a-kind artworks inspired by the ornaments from artists Mark Boomershine, Christina Burch, Wojung Choi, Natasha Law, and Irina Volkonskii to benefit The Art of Elysium. Several of the works were unveiled to the public at the star rising, and will remain on view at Swarovski's Rockefeller Center store throughout the holiday season. For more information or to bid, visit www.swarovskiauction.com.

"We are excited Olivia joined us today to unveil the 2011 Swarovski star and these exclusive artworks," said Wayne Page, Vice President of Operations for Swarovski North America Limited's Consumer Goods Business. "Her elegance and style align perfectly with Swarovski's vision."

The 2011 Swarovski Star's 12 rays are outfitted with 720 LED bulbs on 3,000 feet of wire to create a dazzling, twinkling effect through customized light sequencing programmed by a complex computer system.  Comprised of 25,000 crystals, with 1,000,000 facets, the Star measures 9 ½ feet in diameter and is 1 ½ feet deep.  The Star weighs 550 pounds, including 300 pounds of crystal panels, and is composed of six outer rays and six smaller inner rays.

The main surfaces of the rays are made of point-mounted safety glass, the same shatter-proof glass that adorns the facades of New York City buildings.  The crystals are affixed to the inner sides of the glass in a tight, scale-like pattern to ensure maximum brilliance.

A team of nine artisans spent 1,200 hours installing, programming and testing the star to ensure the effects would withstand the challenging winter weather conditions 74- feet above Rockefeller Center.  An exact replica of the Swarovski Star will also be on display in Rockefeller Center to allow visitors the opportunity to get a closer view of the detailing and craftsmanship.

After the reveal, the Star was raised atop the 74-foot-high, 46-foot wide, 10-ton Norway Spruce in Rockefeller Center, where it will sit for the remainder of the 2011 holiday season.  This is the eighth year a Swarovski Star tops the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree.

The 79th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony will be held on Wednesday, November 30, 2011, from 7:00 – 9:00 P.M. The two-hour ceremony will be televised live, locally on WNBC-TV from 7-8 PM and nationally on NBC from 8-9 PM.

Spectators can view the lighted tree each day from 5:30 A.M. - 11:30 P.M.; all day (24 hours) on Christmas; and from 5:30 A.M. – 9 P.M. on New Year's Eve.  The last day to view the tree is January 7, 2012.

ABOUT SWAROVSKI NORTH AMERICA

In 1895, Daniel Swarovski, a Bohemian inventor and visionary, moved to the village of Wattens, Tyrol in Austria, with his newly-invented machine for cutting and polishing crystal jewelry stones. From this beginning that revolutionized the fashion world, Swarovski has grown to be the world's leading producer of precision-cut crystal for fashion, jewelry and more recently lighting, architecture and interiors. Today, the company, still family-owned and run by 4th and 5th generation family members, has a global reach with some 23,000 employees, a presence in over 120 countries and a turnover in 2010 of 2.06 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 jewelry 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, jewelry and home decor items are sold through more than 1,900 retail outlets worldwide. The Swarovski Crystal Society has close to 325,000 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.

ABOUT TISHMAN SPEYER

Tishman Speyer is the co-owner and manager of Rockefeller Center, the world-famous real estate, shopping and dining complex in the heart of midtown Manhattan.  Rockefeller Center is the site of numerous public exhibits and events, including large-scale installations of public art by world-renowned artists including Takashi Murakami, Jeff Koons and Jonathan Borofsky. Tishman Speyer has earned a worldwide reputation for innovative utilization of public art in its signature commercial properties, which include Rockefeller Center and Chrysler Center.  Tishman Speyer is committed to the preservation and restoration of Rockefeller Center and the historic Top of the Rock Observation Deck at Rockefeller Center, one of New York's top attractions.  Each day an estimated 350,000 people visit the Rockefeller Plaza complex, which during the holidays is home to the most famous Christmas Tree in the world. 

SOURCE Swarovski North America