Discover the timeline of Swarovski, from the birth of Austrian House through key milestones, and discover the House’s rich heritage across the worlds of fashion, jewellery and pop culture.
1895
Daniel Swarovski invents a machine that is capable of cutting crystals with a precision that has never before been possible.
1900
Daniel draws a sequence of diagrams - Article 1 to Article 6 - that come to define a lexicon of crystal cuts. Daniel takes this lexicon to Wattens in Austria, Swarovski’s country of origin, and they become the first crystals put into production. Article 7 to Article 12 make up his second lexicon of original crystal cuts.
Article 1-6, and Article 7-12.
1950s
Swarovski collaborates with couturiers, who are inspired by the creative possibilities of its ever-evolving materials. After a trip to see the Northern Lights, Daniel creates a coating that emulates the changing colors of the natural phenomenon. Christian Dior was the first designer to discover this effect and used it in one of his last collections in 1957.
1970s
A factory technician in Wattens glues spare chandelier parts together to create a crystallized mouse, which becomes the first Swarovski figurine. Initially, it is gifted to 1000 Swarovski employees, but quickly becomes so popular that it goes on sale at the XII Winter Olympic Games in Innsbruck in 1976. Its popularity leads to a new line of nature-inspired figurines.
1980
Swarovski begins a long-lasting relationship with the Palace of Versailles, recreating the monumental crystal chandelier to illuminate the Sun King’s Chamber. The piece has a distinctly 17th century aesthetic - it features innovative crystal LED candles, which flawlessly replicate a traditional flame, lending a unique ambience to the royal apartments.
1989
In 1989, Swarovski launches a couture range called the Daniel Swarovski Paris collection, named after its founder. The elaborate collection incorporates crystals and has only limited pieces available.
1995
Swarovski Crystal Worlds, Kristallwelten, opens in Wattens, Austria, to mark the brand’s centennial anniversary. Multimedia artist André Heller designed a unique and magical place that attracts millions of visitors from across the globe. Crystals are celebrated in all their transformative facets and every year, multiple collaborations with artists, particularly in the Chamber of Wonder, continue to push the boundaries of creativity.
Le Géant
André Heller a imaginé le Géant comme élément central des Mondes de Cristal Swarovski, créant autour de cette figure l’histoire d’un être colossal parti explorer l’univers du cristal et découvrir ses richesses et ses merveilles.
2004
Swarovski apporte sa magie scintillante aux fêtes de fin d’année en couronnant le légendaire sapin de Noël du Rockefeller Center. Première de ce qui deviendra une tradition annuelle, l’étoile Swarovski de 2004 mesure trois mètres d’envergure et compte 25 000 cristaux blancs étincelants. Une touche de magie en plus pour le mythique panorama new-yorkais.
2007
Los 79.º Premios Óscar muestran al público el verdadero significado del brillo. Por primera vez, una cortina de cristal brillante forma el telón de fondo de las estrellas de Hollywood. La cortina de cristal de Swarovski mide 10 metros de altura, pesa más de una tonelada y consta de 50 000 cristales individuales.
2013
Candelabro Gabriel
Title:
Swarovski une fuerzas con Ronan y Erwan Bouroullec para crear el candelabro Gabriel, una obra de arte permanente que ilumina la entrada principal del Palacio de Versalles. Con más de 12 metros de altura y 800 cristales de Swarovski iluminados de forma innovadora con LED, esta pieza contemporánea y majestuosa es una proeza técnica y un tributo a los candelabros cristalizados que históricamente adornaron las salas ceremoniales del Palacio.
© Studio Bouroullec
© Studio Bouroullec
La Fundación Swarovski
Title:
“Para lograr un cambio duradero, debes pensar no solo en ti mismo, sino también en los demás”, afirmó Daniel Swarovski.
La fundación Swarovski se creó para centrar la atención en la filosofía de nuestro fundador y el compromiso histórico de la marca con la filantropía. Apoya a organizaciones e iniciativas benéficas para lograr un impacto social y medioambiental positivo. La misión de la Fundación Swarovski es promover medios de vida sostenibles a través de la educación para reducir la desigualdad. Se centra en la renta variable, el agua y la creatividad, y hay tres iniciativas clave: Waterschool, Creatives for Our Future y Action Fund.
2018
A 21st century Crystal Workshop opens in Wattens, Austria. Swarovski Manufaktur is a space for inspiration, co-creation, craftsmanship, and savoir-faire, stimulating innovation using new technologies and aligning creative visionary processes.
2019
Swarovski develops a new type of crystal to create six fountains on the Champs-Élysées in Paris. The rotating installations by the Bouroullec brothers feature 3,060 crystals in a dreamlike display of movement and light.
© Studio Bouroullec
© Studio Bouroullec
2020
The Swarovski Foundation announces its new Creatives for Our Future program, a global mentorship and grant program designed with an advisor from the United Nations Office for Partnerships, to identify and accelerate the next generation of creative leaders in sustainability.
2021
This year marks a bold new creative vision with the appointment of the House’s first ever Global Creative Director. Giovanna Engelbert joins to develop a deeper visual expression and creative language for Swarovski. The global roll out of a new sensorial store concept, Instant Wonder, follows, along with a modern new aesthetic expressed in Swarovski’s brand colors, and a streamlined Swarovski Swan logo.
Creators Lab
A new program of creative collaborations launches to push the boundaries of design and craftsmanship, while celebrating Swarovski Crystals. Creators Lab is a natural evolution reflecting the Austrian House’s long heritage of influence in fashion, film, theater and music, and history of championing creativity. The first brands to enter the new Swarovski Creators Lab are Nike, MA®KET, Amina Muaddi, Judith Leiber and FAO Schwarz.
Build-A-Bear
Build-A-Bear has entered the Swarovski Creators Lab to create a limited-edition collectible fully adorned with Swarovski Crystals.
Swarovski x Liberal Youth Ministry
Creators Lab continues to explore creative possibilities and celebrate the spirit of collaborated art that has been part of our culture since the very beginning. Swarovski’s youthful spirit and progressive nature is a perfect match for Liberal Youth Ministry (LYM), where each collection celebrates the universality of youth.
Stuart Weitzman
Stuart Weitzman rejoint le Creators Lab pour illuminer la saison des fêtes. Alliant savoir-faire d’exception et glamour absolu, les escarpins Stuart Power Shine reposent sur des talons de 7,5 cm et se composent de plus de 6 000 cristaux Swarovski. Conçue pour capturer la lumière à chaque pas, cette création spectaculaire inspire assurance et éclat.
Advisory Board Crystals
Exclusif : Sweats à capuche, pantalons de survêtement et casquettes.
2022
De nouvelles Chambres des Merveilles ouvrent régulièrement au Kristallwelten. Surnommé « magicien de la lumière » l’artiste James Turrella a créé Umbra, une installation de lumière et de couleur en mouvement qui captive tous les sens.
2023
Swarovski occupe une place de choix dans la culture pop, et ses cristaux jalonnent l’histoire du divertissement contemporain. L’année 2023 confirme cette position exceptionnelle, la Maison illuminant les événements les plus créatifs, ainsi que les tenues de nombreuses célébrités.
Illuminer la Culture Pop
Doja Cat éblouit tous les regards au défilé Schiaparelli Haute Couture SS23, parée de 30 000 cristaux Swarovski rouge sang appliqués à la main par la maquilleuse Pat McGrath. Cette transformation de cinq heures crée un effet saisissant, alliant provocation esthétique et glamour absolu.
Illuminating Pop Culture
Swarovski Crystals play a significant role in Beyoncé’s Renaissance World Tour, lighting up the custom looks of the world’s top designers.
Illuminating Pop Culture
Harry Styles stunned at the Grammys in a custom EGONLAB jumpsuit made from Swarovski Crystal Mesh, featuring 250,000 crystals in nine colors. Handmade in Paris over 150 hours, the dazzling outfit highlighted his creativity, individuality, and star power.
Swarovski Created Diamonds Galaxy Collection
Inspired by the cosmos, The Galaxy Collection is the first Swarovski Created Diamonds fine jewelry collection designed by Global Creative Director Giovanna Engelbert. Each design is crafted from laboratory grown diamonds that are IGI (International Gemological Institute) certified and 100% identical to mined diamonds in every way but origin.
Swarovski on Fifth
Over two luxurious floors, a world of joyful extravagance and crystal wonder unfolds in a new flagship store on New York’s Fifth Avenue. A palette of the House’s signature shades combined with rich, textured surfaces make the New York flagship a sensory delight full of immersive experiences.
2024
A year of firsts for the House including the appointment of a Global Brand Ambassador, pop icon Ariana Grande, and debuting Swarovski couture looks designed by Giovanna Engelbert at the Met Gala.
Global Brand Ambassador
Ariana Grande is announced as new ambassador and face of the House. The multi award-winning American singer, songwriter and actress is among the world's best-selling music artists. Celebrated for her breathtaking performances and unique personal style, Ariana Grande is a powerful advocate for inclusivity and empowerment. The partnership unites two icons of pop culture.
The 2024 Met Gala
For the first time ever, Swarovski couture looks are presented at the Met Gala. Friends of the House, Karlie Kloss, Imaan Hammam, and Anok Yai shine in ensembles designed by Global Creative Director, Giovanna Engelbert. For the dress code “The Garden of Time”, Giovanna transforms into Nature, Karlie a Flower, Imaan is the Sun, and Anok becomes Water wearing a catsuit teamed with a high jewelry necklace from the Swarovski Created Diamonds Galaxy Collection.
Show Time
Jean Paul Gaultier and Swarovski collaborate on Falling | In Love, the magical Friedrichstadt-Palast Berlin Grand Show. The Berlin-based show is illuminated by 100 million Swarovski Crystals and lights up the extraordinary explosion of colour curated by the celebrity Parisian designer. The hypnotic allure of crystals is unleashed on the world’s largest theatre stage with crystalline gardens filled with flora and fauna forming a shimmering backdrop for a rainbow of bejeweled ensembles.
2025
Born in Austria under the genius vision of our founder, Daniel, Swarovski has been making the world shine bright since 1895. This is our 130th year of breaking the boundaries of creativity and embracing the extraordinary. Swarovski creations are designed to spark joy, bring brilliance in every facet of your life, and wow your individuality.
Ariana Grande X Swarovski
The first creative collaboration with Global Brand Ambassador and face of the brand, Ariana Grande launches.
Co-created by the pop icon and Global Creative Director Giovanna Engelbert, the Ariana Grande x Swarovski Capsule collection celebrates the joy of self-expression and is inspired by a deep love of music that shines through musical notes and heart motifs.
Co-created by the pop icon and Global Creative Director Giovanna Engelbert, the Ariana Grande x Swarovski Capsule collection celebrates the joy of self-expression and is inspired by a deep love of music that shines through musical notes and heart motifs.
Vienna Opera Ball
A collaboration spanning nearly 70 years, the union of Swarovski and the Vienna Opera Ball celebrates the beauty, elegance, and rich culture of our shared Austrian heritage.
It is a true legacy of wonder. Each year a new Swarovski Tiara, a virtuoso display of our mastery of light, illuminates the ball. This year the intricate design is inspired by the Swarovski Swan.
World of Swarovski
Wedding Jewelry & Accessories
Title:Fall in love with beautiful designs infused with the brilliance of crystals. From subtle shimmer to all-out glamour, there’s a piece to complement any wedding style, each deserving of a place on your wedding accessories list.
Ocean-Inspired Jewelry
Title:Our new jewelry families are beautiful works of artistry that feature Swarovski Crystal Pearls, and a palette of blue and green Swarovski Crystals.
Disney The Lion King x Swarovski
Title:Commemorate a cherished classic with radiant characters.