Vaporwave Daydream

In 2021, Swarovski (the company that makes the very sparkly crystals you see in certain jewelry, on figure-skaters' twinkliest outfits, on red carpet dresses), decided they didn't want the grubby fingers of small-time jewelers, clothing designers and costumers and crafters on their shiny beads and rhinestones anymore. They decided to limit their sales to "luxury" and couture creators, not girls who sell stuff on Etsy. The tenor of their press release on the subject was snide and insulting. Resellers (like your favorite bead shop) would no longer be allowed to carry their product; the average Jane on the street would not be able to purchase them. You could only get them if you had an authorized business agreement that bound you to very strict brand behavior. And those of us who still had good stock of the crystals would no longer be "permitted" to use the brand's name in our listings for sale.

Every bead shop and craft supply place and many, many small clothing makers--wedding shops, prom and dancing dress suppliers, the sort of salt of the Earth mom and pop time machines of shops that are the backbone of the field--scrambled to find something that could replace them. The last of the stock dwindled quickly, all of us grabbing what we could get while there was any chance of it, and then it was gone and we no longer had any access.

I was Big Pissed about it at the time. It was just so goddamn stuck-up, when wholesalers and indie jewelers had made them so much money, when some people I knew--when *I!*--had been brand-loyal for decades. But with no recourse, everyone pivoted fairly quickly, most of us to Preciosa Crystals. Those are Czech, quite sparkly, and considerably less expensive than Swarovski. The faceting method they use is different, but not worse; any differences are hardly noticeable when you're seeing them as a hundred pinpoints of light.

Well, out of nowhere, Swarovski just dropped this: https://www.harmanbeads.com/swarovski-brand-policy-update

"Effective June 1, 2026, Swarovski updated the distribution and brand usage policies introduced in 2021. Businesses may now purchase Swarovski Crystals without signing a Brand Control Agreement, and Authorized Distribution Partners may once again sell Swarovski Crystals to resellers, including bead stores and online retailers. Businesses may also use the Swarovski brand name when following Swarovski’s Proper Use Guidelines. Designers, manufacturers, artists, brands, retailers, and resellers are now eligible to purchase Swarovski Crystals through authorized distribution channels."

They want us back. A lot of the companies who could have kept a brand relationship with them also have swapped to Preciosa, over the last half-decade, in solidarity with indie creators and out of a sour awareness that it could be them, next. And it doesn't hurt that Preciosa was able to expand their line quite a bit now that everyone who wanted sparkle had no choice but to go to them.

And I'm not seeing nearly anyone who intends to return. The feeling is, "Y'all told us to fuck off! Off we fucked! And now, that's what you can do, too!" I'm seeing a lot of "How many of us did you stab in the back?" comments from the people whose money they're hoping to attract.

I tried to purchase some AB (aurora borealis) crystals to use in stained glass snowflakes back when the ban first happened and after my application they said lol no your art is not worthy of our brand also u can't reference our brand if you did use them.

Walt Disney Animation Studios Conjures First Trailer and Magical Images For "Hexed".

The first trailer and poster for Walt Disney Animation Studios "Hexed" have poofed into existence! The original story, a magical coming-of-age adventure. The film is Walt Disney Animation Studios’ 65th animated feature and will arrive in theaters on November 25.

Joining previously announced voice cast members Hailee Steinfeld and Rashida Jones . Seven-time Emmy Award winner Tracey Ullman (The Tracey Ullman Show, Tracey Takes On…, Bullets Over Broadway, Robin Hood: Men in Tights), who voices the enchanted feather quill pen Ms. Quill, and Stephen Fry (The Interrogator, The Hobbit trilogy, Gosford Park, Jeeves and Wooster, V for Vendetta) as the magical journal Elias Quire.

"Hexed" introduces the impulsive and unconventional teenage girl Billie (Steinfeld) and her cautious mother Alice (Jones). When Billie accidentally unleashes secret magical abilities, she’s hurtled out of suburbia and into a magical realm called Hexe, where she’s greeted by Ms. Quill (Ullman) and Elias Quire (Fry). As Billie’s spectacle-filled journey unfolds, she discovers family mysteries that could change the magical world of witches forever.

Street Style Fall 2025 RTW

Milan Fashion Week

Source:TheImpression.com