Can porcelain resemble a fairy-tale garden? In the latest Idyllia collection created in collaboration between two icons of European design, jewelry brand Swarovski and German manufactory Rosenthal, this seemingly abstract idea takes on a very concrete, colorful shape.
Swarovski x Rosenthal Idyllia collection
© Swarovski x Rosenthal
Meeting of two worlds
The Idyllia collection was created by Giovanna Engelbert - Swarovski's global creative director, known for her bold and recognizable visual language. For Engelbert, the world of jewelry is a space for storytelling. Now she has transferred that same language to porcelain, inviting Rosenthal, a manufactory with more than 145 years of history, renowned for combining craftsmanship with modern design. The result? A porcelain collection that resembles a cross between a botanical garden and a fairy-tale setting. Plant and animal motifs, such as royal flytraps, cockatoos, pomegranates, lemons, exotic flowers and palm leaves decorate cups, plates, platters and vases. These patterns, familiar from the Idyllia jewelry collection, have now been given a new scale and application. This is a story of fantasy, craftsmanship and beauty of everyday objects.
The collection was designed by Giovanna Engelbert, Swarovski's global creative director
© Swarovski x Rosenthal
Pointiage™ technique, or Swarovski crystal embroidery
Some pieces are also adorned with authentic Swarovski crystals applied using the Pointiage™ technique, known from the brand's jewelry designs. This is a unique method of decorating crystals that involves manually setting small stones with extreme precision and density. This creates an effect reminiscent of mosaic or embroidery. Thanks to this technique, the surface of the object gains depth, luster and richness of detail, and the crystal compositions acquire an almost organic character. Pointiage™ allows the rendering of extremely realistic textures, such as bird feathers or flower petals, combining artisanal mastery with the modern aesthetics of jewelry and decoration. It's a detail that sets the collection apart from others, making it not only utilitarian, but also collectible.
Some pieces are decorated with authentic Swarovski crystals applied using the Pointiage™ technique.
© Swarovski x Rosenthal
Porcelain like jewelry
The form of the dishes is classic. In the collection you will find cups on thin legs, subtly rounded plates, or decorative container lids. However, the patterns and colors give them a light, even surreal character. Pastel colors dominate here: delicate pinks, blues and pistachios, which emphasize the fairy-tale atmosphere. The compositions seem to live a life of their own - plants wrap around the dishes, birds squat on the rants, fruits seem to float in the air. However, the unique marriage of the world of jewelry and porcelain makes Idyllia go beyond the framework of a classic table collection. Here we are dealing with a new way of thinking about decoration - not only of the table, but also of the interior. Some of the elements, such as figurines of tropical birds in flight and stacked fruits and flowers, are also perfect as independent decorative objects. As the creators of the collection emphasize, it is meant to be a celebration of joy, imagination and nature. It is a project on the borderline of applied art and collector's design, aimed at people who appreciate original objects with soul and history.
The collection includes dishes and figurines of animals and fruits
© Swarovski x Rosenthal
From table to streetcar - the Milan premiere of Idyllia, full of surprises
The premiere of the collection took place during Milan Design Week 2025 - an event that attracts the biggest names of the design world every year. In this context, Idyllia fits not only into current trends, but also into a broader conversation about redefining luxury and finding joy in the details around us. In the arrangements presented in Milan, the porcelain was placed against an intense green background reminiscent of a lush garden and juxtaposed with a soft blue reminiscent of the sky. This treatment introduced two different narratives: the garden as a dense, sensual space of nature and the sky as its ethereal, dreamy complement. However, the whole created a coherent fairy-tale atmosphere. Items from the Swarovski x Rosenthal Idyllia collection looked as if they had been taken out of an enchanted garden or an eccentric dream. Also among the displays were figurines of animals, fruits and plants, building a story about nature seen through the prism of luxury and the arrangement of a stylish table.
The collection was presented against an intense green background reminiscent of a lush garden and juxtaposed with a soft blue reminiscent of the sky
© Swarovski x Rosenthal
In addition to these striking presentations, the companies prepared a number of other surprises for visitors to Milan during Design Week. One such attraction was a special streetcar, decorated with crystal motifs, which ran through the streets of the city, offering visitors a 30-minute journey overlooking Milan's monuments. Also on board it were floral workshops inspired by the Idyllia collection - interactive sessions that combined the world of design with nature and allowed visitors to immerse themselves in the brand's aesthetics in a slightly more sensual, personal way.
Florist workshops were conducted in a special streetcar
© Swarovski x Rosenthal
Luxury of the future?
In the modern world, luxury no longer means glamour in the traditional sense. It is increasingly defined by authenticity, artistry and an emotional connection to the object. In this context, Idyllia fits perfectly into the new definition of luxury: as something that stimulates the senses, inspires and (if only for a moment) transports us to another world. With this collection, Swarovski and Rosenthal prove that even the most classic materials and forms can gain freshness if treated with fantasy and boldness. And a porcelain plate, if viewed from the right perspective, can become a portal to an enchanted garden.
The collection resembles a cross between a botanical garden and a fairy-tale setting
© Swarovski x Rosenthal
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Compiled by:KATARZYNA SZOSTAK
