Franck Muller's "Sparkling Models" iPhone Jackets with Swarovski Crystals for $2,134 each.

above: two of the six Swarovski Crystal- embellished Frank Muller iPhone 4 cases costing $2,143 USD each

When Swiss watchmaker and jeweler Franck Muller created an exclusive case for the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4s as part of their 20th anniversary celebration in early 2011, blogs like TechCrunch and Trendhunter reported on the very expensive ($1,340.) limited edition titanium iPhone cases inspired by the ornate Byzantine numerals symbolic of Franck Muller's watches.


above: the Crazy Family Watches by Franck Muller sport the same ornate arabic numerals as on the iPhone jackets

The 6 original models were designed to not only protect the iPhone from the shocks but also offer the special stateliness and playful spirit of Franck Muller watches and jewellery.


above: the first round of Franck Muller Jackets for the iPhone 4

Limited to 500 units each with a total of 3,000 units sold worldwide and sold through Japan's Softbank, the original models which run $1,339.58 USD. (105,000 Japanese yen), can be bought here.

As if those weren't special or expensive enough, add some Swarovski crystals and you've got "Sparkling Models" of the Franck Muller Jackets for the iPhone 4 and 4S with an even heftier price tag of $2,143.14 USD (168,000.00 JPY).



Below are all the jacket models in the collection with the front of the case shown on the left and the back of the case, on the right:








Buy the Sparkling models here

Distributed by:G.F.M Watchland S.A and WORLD COMMERCE CORPORATION
Copyright:© FRANCK MULLER (FMTM DISTRIBUTION LIMITED)
Manufactured and art works by:GALA[gala]CREATIVE.,ltd
Made in Japan

Franck Muller

Meet The Man (and see his work) Behind Fergie's LEGO Dress.

If you've been on the internet or have seen the news this week, chances are you caught a glimpse of The Black Eyed Peas' Fergie and her fun LEGO dress worn during the 24th Annual Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards Nickelodeon held last Saturday.




The heavily blogged about LEGO dress is a hoot, but hardly impressive when compared to other work by the same designer. The dress was created by Michael Schmidt Studios of Los Angeles and New York. You may not now his name, but you certainly know his work. He's been designing for musical legends like Tina Turner, Cher, Deborah Harry, Joan Jett, Iggy Pop, Steven Tyler and Grace Jones since the late 1980's. He was even nominated for an Emmy Award for Costume Design for a Variety or Music Program, "Cher... At The Mirage" in 1991.


above: Michael's chain maille and crystal designs for Cher and Tina Turner in 1986 and 1989.

More in demand than ever, Michael continues to design for today's popular entertainers like Madonna, Lady Gaga, Dita Von Teese, Rihanna, Brittany Spears and the Chrome Hearts brand. Often working with lots of Swarovski crystals, snake-like imagery and scales, corsets and chain maille, Michael produces sexy, body conscious clothes for concert tours, award shows and other appearances.



above: Michael Schmidt's designs for Lady Gaga, photos by David LaChapelle

Michael has also made several forays into the world of interior design. Projects include the installation of a massive bamboo 'Wave' construction at the restaurant Simon At The Palms, Palms Casino, Las Vegas. Another creation is a knotted rope curtain for the lobby of the Ace Hotel in Palm Springs, CA, woven from more than a mile of white cotton rope. Past projects include designing the VIP rooms of the Palladium nightclub in NYC, featuring the installation of black leather floors upon which silver studs spelled out the lyrics to the classic Iggy Pop song 'Nightclubbing' in Braille.

His costume and accessory designs are nothing short of body sculpture and last year the PMCA (Pasadena Museum of California Arts) featured much of his work in their California Design Biennial: Action/Reaction exhibit.



above: Rihanna wears his denim-printed metal mesh shorts on the cover of last month's Rolling Stone


FERGIE
Working with stylists B. Ackerlund, Schmidt as also created other memorable outfits for Fergie. Hand-sewn snake scale and Swarovski studded body suits and boots for her 2010 appearance on American Idol Gives Back, chromed body armored catsuits, even a vacuum-formed and chromed corset:







MADONNA
Some of his pieces designed for Madonna's 2008-2009 world tour:





DITA VON TEESE
Designs for Dita Von Teese include Swarovski Crystals soldered onto aviator glasses and the Swarovski crystal-embellished outfit and accessories worn in her Opium Den show:






CHROME HEARTS
Michael has created sterling silver and diamond jewelry, accessories and mesh clothes for rock n' roll luxe brand Chrome Hearts:




Designer Michael Schmidt amongst a retrospective of his work at PMCA:

photos: Scott Nathan, Christopher Polk, Steve LaNasa, Steven Meisel, Laurie Stark, Mark Seliger and Shawn Smith
stylists: Arianne Phillips, B. Ackerlund


Michael Schmidt Studios

Karen Beauchamp's New Wallpaper Collection For Swarovski Elements

I've written a few posts on the many items made with Swarovski crystals, including two previous wallpaper designs embellished with the Austrian crystals; Maya Romanoff and Joanna Basford's designs (which you can see here).



above: Feather Palace, Swarovski Crystal Elements Wallpaper


Now, Swarovski Elements has released a collection conceived by British wallpaper designer Karen Beauchamp, who has designed for Cole & Sons as well as Miller & Harris wallpapers, to name a few. These sparkly new wallpapers take interior design to the next level using state-of-the-art technology. Eleven creations were designed using rich colors like royal blue, eggplant and burgundy intertwined with classic designs like damask, paisley and stripes, all topped off with a dash of Swarovski Elements.


above: Diamond Trellis, Swarovski Crystal Elements Wallpaper


Feather Palace:


Plume:


Cashmere:


Diamond Trellis:


Kohinoor Damask:


Venetian Stripe:


Jeweled Stripe:


Versailles:


Silk Ruffe Jaspe:



In addition to the nine styles shown above, orinetal Crackle Texture and Silk Velvet round out the collection. Each is available in multiple colorways, please visit their facebook page to see other examples of color combinations.



Wondering what the heck else is studded with Swarovski Crystals?

• How about a bicycle?

• Animal Skulls?

• Or Bone China Dinnerware?

• Guitars?

• Or Bathroom Sinks?

• and tons more.