The company said, “No, why would you want to do anything with the chandelier? More. At the time, I lived between New York and London. The chandelier is dead.” I was like, “That’s precisely why. Paul was also announced by London Tech Week as one of its 30 Change Makers 2018, celebrating the companies and people harnessing technology to inspire social and economic impact and drive global innovation. Rihanna takes the stage at the 2014 CFDA fashion awards. Known for their rigorous, unique & adaptable academic programming, experiential learning opportunities, academic & industry partnerships and commitment to research, innovation & entrepreneurship. In 2001, Paul co-founded the International Centre for Transitional Justice (ICTJ) in response to a growing recognition that facing legacies of past abuse and injustice is crucial to protecting human rights around the world. At first it seemed fantastic because suddenly I was in an environment where there were international students—from South America, Korea, all over. I thought chandeliers were an interesting category for Swarovski. That was my first exposure to city life. She continues to advocate for conscious luxury and strives to ensure that sustainability is built into all key business decisions to align Swarovski’s efforts with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. An eye mask, earplugs, a ‘Kashwére’ blanket and lavender oil to ensure sound sleep, my gym clothes to get the oxygen flowing and make jet leg easier, oils and face masks to stay hydrated on the plane, and of course, photos of my children. My aunts and uncles’ houses neighbored ours. We worked with Ilse Crawford, and she coined the “Crystal Palace” concept. It sounds rough. Alexander McQueen needed financial support, so we gave him that, plus any product he wanted. Prior to becoming UCLA TFT’s dean, she successfully served as the founding dean of the Loyola Marymount University School of Film and Television. She is an advisor of the Fund for Global Human Rights and a Member of the Leadership Committee of Women for Women International. In 2002, you launched Swarovski Crystal Palace, for which you started working with designers and architects. She grew up hearing family stories of how her great-great-grandfather Daniel supplied Swarovski crystals to embellish Queen Victoria’s dresses, how her grandfather worked with Christian Dior to create the aurora borealis crystal stone effect; and she saw how her father Helmut Swarovski ensured that Swarovski remained at the forefront of technological advances and new market opportunities, including marketing crystal figurines. I grew up in Wattens, Austria—a tiny town that then had 6,000 inhabitants. Which items are you most likely to pick up on your travels? Nadja Swarovski is the first female member of the Executive Board of Swarovski, the world's leading crystal manufacturer, which was founded in the Austrian alps by her great-great-grandfather Daniel Swarovski in 1895. Add to Compare. These include the Swarovski Collective and Runway Rocks, which aim to support and celebrate both emerging and established talents in fashion and jewelry design, as well as luxury jewelry business Atelier Swarovski, whose designers include Zaha Hadid, Christopher Kane, Viktor & Rolf and Karl Lagerfeld. I hate to admit it, but I saw the movie Class starring Rob Lowe, and I thought, “Oh my gosh, that’s where I want to go.” Boy, was that a rough awakening. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Executive Board Member & Head of Corporate Branding and Communications. Since 2012, Nadja has also led Swarovski’s global sustainability efforts, embedding responsible, ethical and environmental standards into the company’s business practices. She joined the family business in 1995, working for Swarovski in Hong Kong and travelling extensively in Asia to gain an international perspective before returning to New York. Having initiated the company’s sponsorship of both the CFDA as well as the British Fashion Council , Swarovski spearheaded specific awards such as the Swarovski Emerging Talent Awards for ready-to-wear at the British Fashion Awards and the CFDA/Swarovski award for accessories design. As long as Swarovski is creating chandelier components, we have to promote them.”. Global Privacy Statement (Updated: May 2015), *Standard Wi-Fi is free. Because my mother is American, I thought, “Let’s explore what else there is!”, I was really enamored with the concept of a New England boarding school. … My father later called me and said, “I met this woman, come and meet her.” So I flew to London, and we met. [Laughs]. It was there that the young Swarovski served an apprenticeship, becoming skilled in the art of glass-cutting. Jonathan Baillie is Founder of NATURAL STATE, a conservation technology organization that aims secure the earths remaining natural habitat. Nadja Swarovski, the undisputed face of the brand for 25 years, speaks with CNN about modern luxury, Alexander McQueen and believing in yourself. Show . (She also supported many of those she worked with financially.) 1; 2; 3; Quick view . Copyright © GSB Global Speakers Bureau Ltd. 2005 – 2020 /. This laid the foundations for a series of visionary initiatives which have established Nadja as one of the 21st century’s major patrons of design. She elaborates on Swarovski’s initiatives to empower and uplift females through medical care, education, and corporate social responsibility. It was a really tight community. Nadja Swarovski: She wants the world to sparkle, Admittedly, "shine bright like a Swarovski crystal" isn't quite. For more of the interview with Nadja Swarovski, order your copy of the September issue here. Though the initiatives may seem disparate, they’re all rooted in some way in Nadja’s life story—as well as the stories of her family. Fueled by the belief that pure, straightforward design will stand the test of time, Viktor... Nadja Swarovski in Venice. After becoming a US citizen, she became interested in politics and began working at the American Medical Political Action Committee. They live with their daughters Thalia and Jasmine and son Rigby in London. Blow introduced her to young design talents who became long-time Swarovski collaborators, such as Alexander McQueen and Phillip Treacy. I’m half American, but I grew up in Austria, so my English wasn’t good. Ambassador Helene von Damm grew up in a small town in Austria and immigrated to the United States as a young woman. Swarovski is Chairwoman and Executive Producer of Swarovski Entertainment which was established in 2010 to continue the company’s collaboration with the film industry. Being inspired by his vision for America, she joined his campaign and stayed at his side in a variety of positions during his entire political career. !” He was expecting her to say, “Oh, nice rhinestones.”. Yeah, Ilse or Tord Boontje. What made you want to go into design? I normally unpack, head to the gym, shower and then debrief with my team ahead of my day. I flew each of them to the manufacturing plant in Austria and showed them the product. LinkedIn is the world’s largest business network, helping professionals like Nadja Swarovski discover inside connections to recommended job candidates, industry experts, and Nadja Swarovski is the first female member of the Executive Board of Swarovski, the world's leading crystal manufacturer, which was founded in the Austrian alps by her great-great-grandfather Daniel Swarovski in 1895. China’s luxury goods market has shown fantastic growth in the past few years, and more Chinese consumers are making their luxury purchases in China than ever before. Nadja explains that gender equality is central to Swarovski with 90% of their customers being female as well as women making up 70% of their personnel. Eventually, I went to school in Antwerp, where I took the bus every day. That balance of femininity and business is key to my personal style. I tend to pick up gifts for my kids; normally books, pens or other educational toys. Famous for its glittering crystals, inspiring jewelry designs and exciting collaborations with cutting-edge creatives, Swarovski is a brand that’s really going places. After studying there, I went to New York, did a master’s program at Sotheby’s, ended up at Gagosian Gallery, and then eventually worked in public relations under Eleanor Lambert, which was amazing. Sort by. Nadja Swarovski was born in Germany in 1970. I have been to a few of the locations, but I would love to visit them all, especially as we continue to expand. When I was there, there was this rape. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Nobody was talking to each other, and the school split into two camps. Let’s put it this way: These kids were not like my Midwestern American grandparents, the type of American I was used to, so gentle and so kind. So too is its jet-setting board member Nadja Swarovski, here revealing how she achieves her work/life/travel balance. It’s almost like that quietness led to his explosion on the catwalk. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. I also love to source local make-up brands for myself, and the kiddy version for my daughters. What was it like to grow up in the Swarovski family, and then to come to America as a young girl to attend boarding school? At age 13, I went to boarding school, at St. Mark’s in Massachusetts. She studied Art History at Southern Methodist University in Texas, and at Sotheby’s Institute of Art and the Gemological Institute of America in New York City. The following week I was at our Swiss headquarters, followed by a Design Forum in Wattens, Austria the week after. The gown, by Adam Selman, was covered in more than 200,000 crystals and became one of the major headlines to come out of the annual fashion awards. Mimma then went from overseeing global communications for Bulgari to taking over the role of worldwide communications director at Louis Vuitton, and from June 2005 was Executive Vice President of global communications for Gucci Group (now Kering), controlling and coordinating the activity of eight brands. With Eleanor, I was representing Valentino and Missoni. (Photo: Delfino Sisto Legani). It took me twice as long to do my homework because I had to translate everything. In striving to use responsibly sourced materials we are following our own cultural values, and we are committed to driving positive change within our industry — inspiring the designers we work with to embrace sustainability through education and material support. I would have stayed in Europe for school, would have probably gone to university somewhere in New England. He was instrumental in developing the Living Planet Index, Sampled Red List Index and Wildlife Picture Index. She studied international business in Vienna and New York, and graduated from Durham University in the UK with a Bachelor of Business. We have offices around the globe so I'm on the road a lot, but staying fit is important to me and I try to find time to exercise whenever I can. How did that come about? I always travel with my gym kit in case I get the opportunity to work out. In that time it was her close relationship with the late Isabella Blow that helped move the brand into contemporary fashion and design landscape. Baillie completed his undergraduate studies in geography at Queen’s University in Canada. Today she drives the brand strategy of the company, which turns over €3.5 billion a year. After a process of screening of research and due diligence, all Trustees approve every single project the Foundation is involved with. She said, “These pieces would look so much better in crystal.” This then turned into a project with Philip Treacy—and then Alexander McQueen. Daniel Swarovski was born in northern Bohemia (now the Czech Republic), 20 km from the current border with Poland. Nadja Swarovski Nadja has been a member of the Executive Board since 2011 and is based in London, UK. She is the first female Member of the Executive Board at Swarovski Crystal Business. It was a pleasure to name Peter Pilotto and Christopher de Vos as winners of our inaugural Swarovski Collective Prize earlier this year. He received a master’s degree in conservation biology from Yale University and a Ph.D. in biology from Silwood Park, Imperial College London. Alexander McQueen Savage Beauty Exhibition, supported by Swarovski at the Victoria and Albert Museum. His father was a glass cutter and owned a small glass factory. Nadja Swarovski is the first woman to join the company's executive board. Head of Corporate Communications and Design Services, Digital Conrad Concierge and Complimentary Wi-Fi* when you book at conradhotels.com, FEATURES | Inspired Design, Culture and Innovation, Global Privacy Statement (Updated: May 2015). From the 15-year collaboration with the late British designer Alexander McQueen to the 675,000 crystals that have adorned the Academy Award stage over the past eight years, Swarovski crystals shine everywhere. Nadja joined Swarovski in January 1995 and became a member of the Swarovski Executive Board in 2011. Chaired by Nadja Swarovski, all Trustees are international experts from key fields including human rights, economics, and law. One of New York City’s premier public institutions, FIT is an internationally recognized college for design, fashion, art, communications & business. They included Personal Secretary, Northeast Regional Finance Director during the 1976 presidential campaign and, as the first woman, Assistant to the President for Personnel in the White House. Executive board member, Nadja Swarovski, tells Professional Jeweller: “A commitment to sustainability and positive social impact has been in the DNA of Swarovski since my great-great-grandfather founded the company in 1895. Where did that Swarovski connection to fashion go?” At that time—1995—Swarovski was perceived to be about swans and ducks. From New York City to Indianapolis, Conrad Hotels & Reso... Get the most out of your family vacation at amazing beac... Make the most of your coastal retreat with couples spa t... From London to Tokyo, create your own traditions with th... "The Splendid Table" food writer dishes on storytelling ... How Conrad’s hotels are embracing mixology’s latest ... ©FMS Magazines UK 2018 © Hilton Hotels 2018, all rights reserved This was a time when people didn’t really know Swarovski. Nadja Swarovski joined the Swarovski family firm in 1995, 100 years after it was founded by her great-great-grandfather Daniel Swarovski in 1895 in Wattens, Austria. He created clothes that empowered women while also flattering their figures. Though the Swarovski brand had once collaborated with the likes of Coco Chanel and Christian Dior, by the late 20th century it had practically disappeared from the world of fashion, and until the early aughts it had not really entered the contemporary design sphere. Nadja Swarovski received the Making a Difference Award 2012 from Women for Women International. Nadja is also Chairperson of the Swarovski Foundation, which she established in 2013 to consolidate Swarovski’s long-term commitment to charitable giving, by supporting projects that foster culture and creativity, promote human empowerment and conserve natural resources. Entrepreneur, Writer, Executive and International Consultant. 20.9k Followers, 553 Following, 1,409 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Nadja Swarovski (@nadja.swarovski) Her hobbies include mountaineering and reading and she has a single engine pilot's license. More. She brought me these Julien Macdonald samples that used nylon. The content will be removed from the website. Films Without Borders is a non-political organization that works with young people, between 15-18 years of age, training them in the first stages of film production, resulting in the production of their first subtitled “short” film. While I was her student, she was given the Grand Decoration of Honor by the Austrian government. She ended her political career with her appointment as US Ambassador to Austria in 1983 before becoming an international business consultant. In the same way you can credit McQueen with reigniting a Swarovski connection to fashion, maybe Ilse is the person you could credit for bringing the brand into contemporary design. I walked to school through a field. Born and raised in Lugano, Switzerland, she started her career in marketing advising clients such as Bulgari and Celine. Nadja is interviewed by Bloomberg’s Francine Lacqua in Davos on ‘Bloomberg Surveillance’ during the annual World Economic Forum, where she explains the importance of developing products and production processes that are both sustainable and ethical. More recently, in 2007, she created the Atelier Swarovski jewelry line. But it does seem to have had a profound impact on you. At which point you moved to Texas to attend Southern Methodist University. Helene attended Northwestern University in Chicago and the University of California in Los Angeles. In 2002 Nadja launched Swarovski Crystal Palace, an experimental platform which pushes the boundaries of lighting and design through collaborations with artists, architects and product designers using the medium of crystal. Swarovski Xilion Black XXS 72 pcs 118108. Women for Women International is a non-profit humanitarian organization that provides practical and moral support to women survivors of war. People made fun of me because I had [Jean-Luc] Godard and Gauguin posters in my room. Since joining the Swarovski family business, Nadja has overseen the brand’s successful repositioning within the fashion, jewellery, design, film and art industries. Showing 1 - 24 of 69 items. UCLA Professor Teri Schwartz served as the Dean of the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television (UCLA TFT) from 2009-2019 where she launched a new vision and long-range plan that re-imagines entertainment and performing arts education as an interdisciplinary enterprise grounded in humanistic storytelling, social impact, technology and innovation, and diversity/global diversity. Member of the Executive Board at Swarovski Crystal Business. Isabella asked him, “What do you do?” My father, who was in charge of production for 44 years at Swarovski, always had crystals in his pocket.