BACCARAT AT MDW2026 – “CRYSTAL CRYPT”

Images courtesy of Baccarat

Unveiling Mille Fleurs by Bethan L Wood, New Harcourt Expressions, the Haute Cristallerie Collection

At Milan Design Week 2026, Baccarat stages a striking return with Crystal Crypt, an immersive installation set in the heart of Brera. On view from April 21 to 25, the presentation unfolds as a speculative, almost cinematic environment—where crystal becomes both medium and narrative, bridging heritage with a distinctly futuristic imagination.

Conceived by curator Emmanuelle Luciani, Crystal Crypt reimagines the Maison as a “temporal vessel”—part cathedral, part spacecraft—inhabited by artisans whose gestures transcend time. Drawing inspiration from Philip K. Dick’s short story The Crystal Crypt, the scenography merges light, sound, and movement into a total artwork, where objects appear suspended between past and possible futures. Here, Baccarat’s iconic pieces and haute creations are reframed as evolving artefacts—manifestos of craftsmanship in constant transformation.

A central highlight is Mille Fleurs, a new collaboration with British designer Bethan Laura Wood. Reinterpreting the historic Zénith chandelier, Wood introduces a modular system of crystal rings that can be configured horizontally or vertically. The design retains Baccarat’s signature motifs—twisted arms, prisms, and octagonal forms—while infusing them with a vivid chromatic palette and floral exuberance. The result is a dynamic, almost otherworldly structure, oscillating between decorative opulence and futuristic abstraction.

Presented by Interni Cipta Selaras

The Maison also revisits its enduring Harcourt glass, first created in 1841, through two new expressions. Harcourt Color amplifies the material’s brilliance with hues—ranging from gold-infused red to deep blue and emerald green—demonstrating technical mastery in crystal coloration. In contrast, Harcourt Nomade introduces a contemporary, portable iteration crafted from a lightweight, bio-based material, designed to accompany fluid, modern lifestyles across indoor and outdoor settings.

Completing the presentation, the Haute Cristallerie collection underscores Baccarat’s virtuosity through both archival revivals and new creations. From intricately cut decanters to sculptural coupes, each piece exemplifies the precision and artistry of the Maison’s master craftsmen, including the esteemed Meilleurs Ouvriers de France.

With Crystal Crypt, Baccarat propels crystal into a speculative language of light, form, and forward-looking imagination

CRYSTAL CRYPT
Via Marco Formentini, 10 – Brera, Milano
From April 21 – 25, 2026