Daniel Libeskind designs the new Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Star
Renowned for his design of cultural spaces, the architect Daniel Libeskind has collaborated with Swarovski and designed the new Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Star.
Renowned architect Daniel Libeskind has designed the new Swarovski Star for the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree in New York. Presented last month at a morning ceremony in Rockefeller Plaza, the Star was raised to the top of the Rockefeller Centre Christmas Tree – but was only lit during the official tree lighting ceremony on the 28th of November.
The new star is the first redesign of Swarovski’s famous crystal tree-topper since the original Swarovski Star was unveiled in 2004, when the company first partnered with the Rockefeller Centre to create and present a star. Famed for his design of cultural spaces, architect Daniel Libeskind has designed an amazing 900-pound (40.8 kilograms) star for the Christmas Tree, which showcases Swarovski’s 120-year heritage; it features 70 spikes covered in 3 million Swarovski crystals.
The dramatic architectural lines of the new star are a perfect reflection of Libeskind’s design vision, which sought to harness Swarovski’s innovative crystal technology, and its mastery of the refraction of light in a three-dimensional structure. Projects like the Swarovski Star also honour Swarovski’s heritage of collaboration and innovation, with the company often partnering with visionary designers.
“The new Swarovski Star for the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is inspired by the beauty of starlight – something that radiates meaning and mystery into the world,” says Libeskind, discussing the star. “The Star is a symbol that represents our greatest ambitions for hope, unity and peace. I am tremendously honoured to collaborate with Swarovski on the Star, and with the entire design team, to bring cutting-edge innovation and design to crystal technology.”
Libeskind has also designed a retail pop-up for Swarovski, which sits alongside the Rockefeller Centre Christmas Tree and is called the Star Boutique. The shop is star-like and crystalline in form, and has been constructed from glass panels and video screens. An exact replica of the new star – also created with 3 million Swarovski crystals – will be on display at ground level next to the Star Boutique, allowing visitors to explore the intricate design up close.
“We are honoured to work with one of the world’s greatest creative talents, Daniel Libeskind, on his thrilling new design for the Star atop the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree,” mentions Swarovshi Executive Board member, Nadja Swarovski. “Each holiday season the Star brings joy to New Yorkers and visitors from around the world, and will shine as a beacon of hope for many years to come.”
