A special exhibition featuring beautiful leather bags, shoes and accessories adorned with Swarovski crystals and designed by some of the world's top designers like Vivienne Westwood, Viktor & Rolf, Hugo Boss and Escada, is now in Seoul.

Crystallized Swarovski Elements has brought the ``Crystal Loves Leather" exhibit to the Shinsegae Department Store, Myeongdong, in downtown Seoul. The exhibit was first shown at the Palais du Louvre, Paris, as part of the Premiere Classe Fair, and has also been shown in Antwerp, New York and Milan.

The exhibit opened Thursday evening with appearances by actress Kim Ha-neul, who was selected as the brand's ``Crystal Lady" of Korea, and designer Ha Sang-beg. Kim also presented a black leather handbag, which she designed with colorful crystals artfully placed on the side straps.

We have collaborated with many designers around the world to use the crystal components in their designs. We also give the designers a chance to use the label `Made with Crystallized Swarovski Elements'… We are very happy to have this opportunity to show this exhibition in Seoul," said Christoph Kargruber, vice-president for operations of crystal components business, at the event. On display at the exhibit are stunning shoes, including a white pair with crystal-encrusted straps by Vivienne Westwood and a pair of pink sandals with a crystal heel by Victor & Rolf.

Bag lovers will adore the white leather bag with crystals by Spanish brand Loewe, a gold purse by Escada and a slouchy crocodile skin bag by Coccinelle. But the more exciting and distinctive designs came from avant-garde designers, such as Sabrina Dehoff's glittering bunny mask, Federica Moretti's ""Poshat" hat that doubles as a handbag, Valerie Dassa's lovely ""Ice Bag" and Botkier's plum clutch bag. Gaspard Yurkievich designed a sexy leather jacket with various crystals on the lapel, with matching shorts.

Even the popular Ipod was given the ``crystallized" treatment, with the "Ipod Goes Couture" case designed by Valerie Uckermann for Escada, Germany. Dogs can also wear a crystal-studded black leather dog collar, leash and jacket by designers Ann & Bjorn Gardsby for MoS Manfred of Sweden.

Swarovski has come up with new methods of applying crystals on leather. These new methods have allowed designers to incorporate Swarovski crystals in leather bags, shoes, belts, wallets and other accessories, perfectly reflecting stylish designs combining crystals and leather.

Crystallized Swarovski Elements also collaborated with the Shinsegae Department Store for the holiday season. The department store is all decked out with Christmas decorations featuring dazzling Swarovski crystals.

Crystallized Swarovski Elements is the brand name for Swarovski loose crystal components used for fashion. The ``Crystal Loves Leather" exhibit runs through Dec. 18 at the 10th floor of Shinsegae Department Store, Myeongdong. Admission is free. The nearest subway station is Hoehyeon Station Subway Line 4.