Faberge in london: romance to revolution
V&A, south kensington, London

Studio ZNA won the commission to provide bespoke lighting design for this exhibition which explored master goldsmith Carl Faberge’s craftsmanship and elegance. It featured the development of the luxury brand  and significance of the Anglo-Russian relationship which saw the opening of the London branch  in 1903.

Studio ZNA worked closely with the V&A design team to delicately light these priceless and fantastical objects and gems as part of the Faberge exhibit. Creating ‘glowing windows’ using concealed linear LEDs with micro spotlights enhancing the glittering jewels.   Ambient light was kept simple and  soft in warm in tones of gold and pink to bring out the setworks and jewels. Each object was carefully considered and lit to ensure stringent  conservation levels were met. 

For the final section we designed a dynamic lit environment choreographed with the designed soundtrack with softly fading in and out with the crescendos of the music. Thus the space becomes almost an exploded jewellery box with the objects and visitors subtly animated within it. Each showcase was thoughtfully designed with fabric wrapped lightsheets in base of the plinths and fiber optic top lights to gently light the precious Faberge eggs, making them sing in the space while at the same time keeping conservation levels in check. With the lighting and objects reflected in the mirrored ceiling above, the space was given an infinite sense for this fittingly elegant finale.

Exhibition Design :  V&A design studio
Sound Design : Father
Photography by FRENCH+TYE