By Ase Anderson in London
Don't be fooled if social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram and Facebook are awash with images of people wearing Fabergé jewels this Easter. All is not as it seems, as a Victorian optical toy has been transformed into an innovative digital concept as part of a unique three-way collaboration.
Harrods has teamed up with Fabergé and digital pioneer Miroslava Duma to offer its customers a never-seen-before Easter Eggstravaganza full of rare and precious creations. The exclusive collaboration, 'A Fabergé Easter at Harrods', runs from 1-21 April and will include a window display celebrating the story behind this iconic jewellery house.
An 'egg bar' inside the Brompton Road store will showcase the egg pendants for which Fabergé is renowned, while historic pieces, such as the original 1901 Fabergé Apple Blossom Egg, will also be on display.
Harrods shoppers will also get a chance to style Fabergé jewels their way and share the results on social media, thanks to a 'pop-up salon' featuring jewellery displays and an interactive digital lounge.
The innovative Fabergé Cinescope, created by Miroslava Duma, will enable visitors to try on the jewels via a digital mirror and create an animated portrait that can be tweeted or Instagrammed around the world. Inspired by pre-cinematic Victorian forms of animation, the cinescope places two pictures on either side of a disk to create a trompe-l'oeil effect, which gives the illusion of being only one image when rotated quickly.
Miroslava, the former editor of Harper's Bazaar (Russia) and founder of online platform Buro 24/7, says of the event: "I am really excited to be working with Fabergé and Harrods on this innovative Easter collaboration. Fabergé is the ultimate Russian jewellery house. Together with Harrods, they are reinventing heritage for today's audience."
