The History of Swarovski

There’s no jewelry company quite like Swarovski. The Austrian brand has been refining crystals since it was first founded in 1895 by Daniel Swarovski. Since then, the iconic crystals have been worn by celebrities from Marilyn Monroe to Beyoncé as the brand secured its place as one of fashion's most luxurious collaborators. L'OFFICIEL takes a look at the history of Swarovski.

When Swarovski first founded the company, he had invented a machine that cut crystals more accurately than ever before. He registered for the patent in 1891 and moved to Austria to begin crystal production. 

In the 1900s, Parisian ateliers began to notice Swarovski which inspired designers like Coco Chanel. Swarovski created the Tyrolit Group, a manufacturing company for grinding, drilling, and polishing tools in the 1910s and soon enough the brand began to take off.

In the 1920s, Swarovski crystals began to pop up everywhere. The company took advantage of the flapper movement which increased demand for their designs and the crystals decorated everything from American jazz halls to dresses to Parisian couture houses. 

The jewelry company made its first silver screen debut in Blonde Venus in 1932 as actress Marlene Dietrich wore a dress dripping in Swarovski crystals. The company also created the Swarovski Optik sector in the 1940s which continues to produce binoculars, telescopes, and other optical instruments to this day. 

By the 1950s, Swarovski was practically inescapable. The company collaborated with French designer Christian Dior while Spanish fashion house Balenciaga used Swarovski crystals in its Haute Couture collection.

The crystals began to dominate the silver screen as Monroe adorned herself in Swarovski jewelry in the film Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. The jewelry was then featured in Breakfast at Tiffany’s on Audrey Hepburn and once again on Monroe for her iconic "Happy Birthday Mr. President" dress, which was recently worn by Kim Kardashian.

The '70s and ’80s ushered in a new chapter for Swarovski as they introduced classic Swarovski items and opened up their first boutique. The company began to manufacture figurines and created the first annual limited-edition Christmas ornament in 1991 which is a tradition that continues to this day. 

In 1989, the jewelry company replaced its old logo with the classic swan logo that we have come to know as uniquely Swarovski. Swarovski then invented the bespoke textile which went on to be used by Vivienne Westwood and Alexander McQueen, among countless others.

By the 2000s, Swarovski was cemented as one of the world’s most beloved jewelry companies. The crystals appeared on celebrities at award shows, on television specials, in ballets, and on the stage of the Oscars which the brand continues to decorate every year. 

But this was not the end of innovation for Swarovski. The company created the Swarovski Waterschool which helps ensure access to clean water and launched the Atelier Swarovski which collaborated with the likes of Karl Lagerfeld for a couture crystal collection.

It’s been 127 years since Swarovski was founded and the company has retained its charm. Swarovski continues to consistently create luxurious crystals, adding sparkle to the outfits of some of the world’s most influential figures. We’re not sure what’s next for Swarovski, but we cannot wait to find out.