Emma Sells

When I was a teenager one of my favourite activities was heading to my local bead shop and loading myself up with everything from chunky wooden ethnic beads to brightly coloured glass, paying particular attention to anything with letters that I could use to spell out my name. Nowadays, my tastes may have become (slightly) more sophisticated but it’s hard to resist the lure of a jewellery pick ‘n mix. Imagine my joy, then, on entering the brand spanking new Swarovski store at it’s Fashion Week, fashion pack studded opening earlier this week. Officially known as the Swarovski Crystallized Cosmos and Lounge, the ground floor houses shelf after shelf and tray after tray of glittering crystals, dazzling beads and every bit of hardware you could need to create the jewellery of your dreams.

Through my champagne haze it looked like a sparkling version of heaven. The options are unlimited – use their computer programme to choose something based on ready-made designs or the current trends, find out which colours and styles match your colouring and skin tone, or simply create your own bespoke design. And when it all gets a bit too much you can pop upstairs to the lounge and bar area, complete with exhibition space. A fashion fanatics playground if ever I saw one…