And just like that, the spectacle that is Eurovision is over for another year; the 26 acts probably forgotten already. But there was one show stopping moment that will be talked about for a long time to come – Sam Ryder’s performance of his latest single ‘Mountain’.
Photography: Jack Robinson
Last year’s runner up, and the UK’s most successful Eurovision entry for a long time, took to the stage during the shows interval to perform with Queen drummer Roger Taylor. Sam, in his trademark rhinestone jumpsuit, was joined on stage by backing dancers with disabilities and prosthetics, who blew the audience away with a poignant dance routine and dramatic fire spitting drums.
Everyone’s talking about that jumpsuit
Ever since his first appearance at the 2022 Eurovision song contest, Sam has donned a glittering rhinestone outfit, which quickly became his signature look. And after the success of the embellished boiler suit, Crystal Parade rhinestones have adorned even more of Sam’s outfits, with Zodiac crystals featuring on stage at the Taylor Hawkins tribute concert last September, in a performance on the Graham Norton Show and more recently on stage at the Brits.
From his red, white and blue crystal encrusted Union Jack boiler suit, to his ‘New Year Rocks’ glittering jumpsuit, and everything in between, here at Crystal Parade, we are so proud to have supplied the Preciosa crystals that brought the sparkle to the stage this year.
We were approached once again by the amazingly talented stylist and GQ Style editor Luke Jefferson Day, who had a vision of gold for Sam’s outfit – a step up in luxury from last year’s silver and crystal clear galactic theme, perhaps mirroring the elevation of Sam’s stardom. The team used a mix of different gold non hotfix rhinestones, from bright metallic Aurum, to pale champagne Gold Quartz, with Topaz and Sunrise rhinestones scattered throughout.
For the main feature of the suit, the mountains, Luke and his team chose some darker crystal shades including Jet black and smokey Nightfall to add shadows, then a bright diamond effect clear colour called Argent Flare to depict the highlights.
Each flatback rhinestone was individually applied by hand, taking 75 hours and four dedicated people, but we think you’ll agree, the overall effect of the thousands of crystals is stunning; Sam and his jumpsuit certainly stole the show for us!
What a fantastic accolade for Crystal Parade and our crystals, which will once again be hitting the stage soon and dazzling the crowds with their brilliant sparkle. We can’t wait to see what Luke Day and Sam Ryder do next.