Discover the timeline of Swarovski, from the birth of Austrian House through key milestones, and discover the House’s rich heritage across the world’s of fashion, jewelry 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 Kristallwelten eröffnen anlässlich des hundertjährigen Firmenjubiläums in Wattens, Österreich. Der Multimediakünstler AndrééHeller schuf einen einzigartigen und magischen Ort, der Millionen von Besuchern aus aller Welt anzieht. Kristalle werden in all ihren transformativen Facetten zelebriert, und jedes Jahr erweitern zahlreiche Kollaborationen mit Künstlern, insbesondere in der Wunderkammer, die Grenzen der Kreativität.
Der Riese
UndéDas zentrale Thema von André Heller für die Swarovski Kristallwelten war die Gestalt des Riesen. Er entwickelte die Geschichte eines Riesen, der sich aufmachte, die Welt der Kristalle mit all ihren Schätzen und Wundern zu entdecken.
2004
Swarovski verleiht den Festtagen einen Hauch von Glanz und krönt zum ersten Mal den legendären Weihnachtsbaum am Rockefeller Center. Als Beginn einer jährlichen Tradition erstrahlte der Swarovski Stern des Jahres 2004 mit drei Metern Höhe und 25.000 brillantweißen Kristallen. Eine magische Ergänzung der Skyline von New York City.
2007
Die 79. Oscar-Verleihung zeigte dem Publikum die wahre Bedeutung von Brillanz. Erstmals bildet ein funkelnder Kristallvorhang die Kulisse für die Hollywood-Stars. Der Swarovski Kristallvorhang ist 10 Meter hoch, wiegt über eine Tonne und besteht aus 50.000 einzelnen Kristallen.
2013
Gabriel Lüster
Title:
Swarovski hat sich mit Ronan und Erwan Bouroullec zusammengetan, um den Gabriel Kronleuchter zu kreieren, ein permanentes Kunstwerk, das den Haupteingang des Schlosses Versailles erleuchtet. Mit einer Höhe von über 12 Metern und 800 Swarovski Kristallen, die durch leuchtende LEDs innovativ beleuchtet werden, ist dieses moderne und zugleich majestätische Kunstwerk sowohl eine technische Meisterleistung als auch eine bleibende Hommage an die Kristallluster, die einst die Prunkräume des Palastes schmückten.
© Studio Bouroullec
© Studio Bouroullec
Swarovski Foundation
Title:
„Um dauerhaften Wandel zu erreichen, müssen Sie nicht nur an sich selbst, sondern auch an andere denken“ – Daniel Swarovski.
Die Swarovski Foundation wurde gegründet, um die Philosophie unseres Gründers und das historische Engagement der Marke für Philanthropie in den Mittelpunkt zu stellen. Swarovski unterstützt gemeinnützige Organisationen und Initiativen, um positive soziale und ökologische Auswirkungen zu erzielen. Die Swarovski Foundation'Swarovskis Mission ist es, nachhaltige Lebensgrundlagen durch Bildung zu fördern und so Ungleichheit zu verringern. Der Fokus liegt auf den Bereichen Gleichberechtigung, Wasser und Kreativität, und es gibt drei zentrale Initiativen: Waterschool, Creatives for Our Future und den Action Fund.
2018
Eine Kristallwerkstatt des 21. Jahrhunderts eröffnet in Wattens, Österreich. Die Swarovski Manufaktur ist ein Ort der Inspiration, Co-Kreation, Handwerkskunst und des Savoir-faire. Sie fördert Innovationen durch neue Technologien und vereint visionäre kreative Prozesse.
2019
Swarovski entwickelt eine neue Kristallart für die Gestaltung von sechs Brunnen auf den Champs-Élysées.ÉLichtéSwarovski Kristalle funkeln in Paris. Die rotierenden Installationen der Brüder Bouroullec präsentieren 3.060 Kristalle in einem traumhaften Spiel aus Bewegung und Licht.
© Studio Bouroullec
© Studio Bouroullec
2020
Die Swarovski Foundation gibt ihr neues Programm „Creatives for Our Future“ bekannt, ein globales Mentoring- und Förderprogramm, das in Zusammenarbeit mit einem Berater des Büros der Vereinten Nationen für Partnerschaften entwickelt wurde, um die nächste Generation kreativer Führungskräfte im Bereich Nachhaltigkeit zu identifizieren und zu fördern.
2021
Dieses Jahr markiert eine mutige neue kreative Vision mit der Ernennung des ersten Global Creative Director des Hauses. Giovanna Engelbert kommt zu Swarovski, um die visuelle Ausdruckskraft und die kreative Sprache der Marke weiterzuentwickeln. Die globale Einführung des neuen sensorischen Store-Konzepts „Instant Wonder“ folgt, zusammen mit einer modernen neuen Ästhetik in den Swarovski Markenfarben und einem optimierten Swarovski Schwan-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
Cue the celebrations as Stuart Weitzman enters the Creators Lab, just in time for party season. Combining precision craftsmanship with extravagant embellishment, the Stuart Power Shine pump pairs its new 75mm Stuart Power heels with over 6,000 Swarovski Crystals. Designed to catch the light with every step, this spectacular shoe invites you to stand tall and let your confidence shine.
2022
New Chambers of Wonder are introduced regularly to Kristallwelten. James Turrell - who as an artist is considered a “magician of light” - creates Umbra, a moving light and color installation that appeals to all the senses.
2023
Swarovski is a protagonist of pop culture, and Swarovski Crystals are sprinkled throughout pop culture history. 2023 is another stellar year for the House as it makes the most creative events, and celebrities, shine.
Illuminating Pop Culture
Doja Cat dazzled at the Schiaparelli Haute Couture SS23 Show, with 30,000 crimson Swarovski crystals hand-applied by makeup artist Pat McGrath. The five-hour process created a stunning transformation, merging aesthetic subversion with pure glamour.
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.
130 Years of Joy
In honor of our 130-year anniversary, Swarovski is inviting the world to explore its many facets with a program of unmissable events and limited-edition collections. Rooted in our rich heritage and the vision of our founder, Daniel Swarovski, the House continues to pursue crystal innovation as it enters its next chapter with a multidimensional celebration of light, color, and joy.
World of Swarovski
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.
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.
Disney The Lion King x Swarovski
Title:Commemorate a cherished classic with radiant characters.