Beauty and high-tech combine to innovate the interiors sector

The Austria based company, which has over a century of experience in the crystal market, has combined the beauty of crystal with the latest high-tech LED technology to create Crystal StarLED, a range of highly creative lighting products that will make their first appearance in the Middle East, Africa and Asia at Index 2006 this November.

"We're delighted that Swarovski have chosen Index to showcase these exciting new products,"

said Kim Willis, Exhibition Development Director, dmg world media Dubai, organisers of Index, which has firmly established itself as one of the world's most significant international events for the interiors industry.

The combination of crystal and LED, linked to a collection of crystal colour choices, has resulted in a range of extraordinary lighting effects, all of which will make their debut at this year's Index. Expect to see a wide range of downlights and spotlights which combine precision cut crystals with LED technology to produce a highly effective lighting system.

Fully committed to expand the possibilities that crystal has in interior applications, Swarovski is continually looking for new applications that will enhance modern living, and in association with quality bathroom manufacturer Kludi, has also developed a bathroom concept that demonstrates the unlimited potential of crystal in interior design (The Swarovski Bathroom by Kludi).

The company has a century long tradition as a creative partner in the highest echelons of fashion and jewellery, and since the 1960's this has also included some of the world's leading lighting manufacturers. These creative partnerships, which include top creative designers such as Ingo Maurer, Ron Arad and Tord Boontje, now also extend to the home couture sector, as designers and architects begin to discover whole new dimensions of creativity through the use of crystal.

Modern technology allows crystals to be fixed to a huge range of surfaces, including wood, metal, latex, leather, tiles, building surfaces and even paper, so there are no limits to how they can be used for decorative and practical purposes. The glamour of Swarovski Crystal, with its relationship to light, is now being used in home textiles, wall and window decoration and home accessories.

"Index has built a strong international reputation as being a source of inspiration for the regional interiors industry," added Willis. "This year, it will once again feature many exciting new products that will enable designers and architects to take interiors creativity to new heights."

Index takes place at Dubai International Exhibition Centre from 7-11 November 2006.