Nadja Swarovski facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Nadja Swarovski
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| Born | 5 May 1970 Germany
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| Nationality | Austrian, American |
| Occupation | Chair Emeritus of Swarovski Foundation |
| Spouse(s) | Rupert Adams |
| Children | 3 |
Nadja Lyn Swarovski, born on May 5, 1970, is a businesswoman from Austria and America. She joined her family's company, Swarovski, in 1995. This was 100 years after her great-great-grandfather, Daniel Swarovski, started the company in 1895 in Wattens, Austria. Nadja was the first woman on the company's main leadership team. She guided the company's worldwide brand plans and how it talked to the public. In 2017, the business made about €3.5 billion. She was also the leader of the Swarovski Foundation and the global Swarovski Waterschool program. She left the company at the end of 2021.
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Nadja Swarovski's Early Life and Learning
Nadja Swarovski was born in Germany and grew up in Austria. She is the fifth generation of her family to work in the Swarovski Crystal Business. Her great-great-grandfather, Daniel, made Swarovski crystals to decorate dresses for Queen Victoria. Her grandfather, Manfred Swarovski, worked with Christian Dior to create special 'Aurora Borealis' stones. Her father, Helmut Swarovski, made sure the company stayed modern and found new ways to grow.
Nadja studied Art History and foreign languages at Southern Methodist University in Texas. She also learned about art at Sotheby's Institute of Art and studied gems at the Gemological Institute of America in New York City.
Nadja Swarovski's Career Journey
Nadja Swarovski started her career at the Gagosian Gallery. Then, she worked for New York fashion public relations expert Eleanor Lambert. She first worked for the Swarovski Crystal Business in Hong Kong. Later, she helped build its brand and creative teams in New York, Paris, London, and Singapore.
When she joined the family business in the mid-1990s, she started working with famous people. These collaborations were with leaders in fashion, jewelry, design, architecture, and entertainment. Through these projects, she wanted the company to be a leader in creative and lifestyle trends. She became known for supporting creativity.
Fashion and Design Collaborations
Nadja led Swarovski's work with over 200 designers in fashion. These included Alexander McQueen, Philip Treacy, Jason Wu, Hussein Chalayan, Erdem, and Mary Katrantzou. She also helped new and famous designers through the Swarovski Collective program. Swarovski supported the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) Awards since 2002. The company also partnered with the British Fashion Council for the Fashion Awards in London.
In 2002, Nadja launched Swarovski Crystal Palace. This program asked designers to create new versions of traditional chandeliers using Swarovski crystal. Famous designers like Zaha Hadid, John Pawson, Tom Dixon, and Ross Lovegrove took part.
Swarovski in Movies and Music
Nadja also strengthened the company's long history with the film industry. Swarovski crystals have appeared in movies since the 1930s. You can see them in Blonde Venus, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, and Breakfast at Tiffany’s. More recently, Swarovski crystals were in Moulin Rouge!, Black Swan, Skyfall, and Disney's live-action Cinderella. In music, Nadja oversaw collaborations for performers like Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, Jennifer Lopez, and Madonna.
Atelier Swarovski: Luxury and Innovation
In 2007, Nadja created Atelier Swarovski. This was a luxury line of fashion jewelry and accessories. It featured modern pieces made with designers, showing off creativity and new ideas. Designers like Christopher Kane, Viktor & Rolf, Jean Paul Gaultier, and Karl Lagerfeld worked on these pieces. In 2016, Atelier Swarovski launched home décor items. They partnered with designers such as Daniel Libeskind and Ron Arad.
In 2017, Nadja launched Atelier Swarovski Fine Jewelry. These pieces used Swarovski Created Diamonds. This showed the brand's focus on 'conscious luxury.' This means making beautiful products using the best materials in a responsible way.
In 2018, Nadja worked with filmmaker Eric Valli and fashion designer Jean-Paul Gaultier. They made The Soul of Swarovski, a short film about how Swarovski crystal collaborations are created.
Leading Sustainability Efforts
From 2012 to 2020, Nadja led the company's plans for sustainability. She also oversaw its efforts to be a responsible company. Daniel Swarovski, the founder, believed in doing business in a way that respects people and the planet. Nadja guided the company to make luxury goods that are sustainable and ethical. She also made sure Swarovski's efforts matched the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Nadja supports gender equality around the world. She helps empower women through the Swarovski Foundation. She signed the United Nations’ Women's Empowerment Principles (WEPs). She is also part of the UN Women UK National Committee Corporate Advisory Group. In 2018, the company supported research to improve the lives of women working in the jewelry supply chain.
The Swarovski Foundation and Waterschool
Nadja started and leads the Swarovski Foundation, which helps good causes. It began in 2013 to support groups working in three areas: culture and creativity, helping people, and protecting the environment. Key partners include Women for Women International and The Nature Conservancy. The foundation also helped create the Swarovski Foundation Centre for Learning at the Design Museum in London.
Nadja also leads the Swarovski Waterschool. This is the company's main community program. It teaches students on six continents about using water safely and wisely. In 2018, Nadja worked with UCLA to create Waterschool, a full-length movie. It first showed at the Sundance Film Festival and was later released globally on Netflix.
In 2015, she became the UK ambassador for Women for Women International. This group helps women who have survived war. In 2018, she also became their German ambassador.
In December 2021, Nadja announced she was leaving her family firm after 26 years. She wanted to start a new part of her career. She will still be involved with the Swarovski Foundation as Chair Emeritus.
Awards and Recognition for Nadja Swarovski
Nadja Swarovski has received many awards for her work:
- In 2020, she was named to the Business of Fashion’s BoF 500 list of people shaping the fashion industry.
- Also in 2020, she received the Business Leader of the Year Award from Positive Luxury for her work in sustainability.
- In 2019, she received the Fashion Institute of Technology Social Impact in Sustainability Award.
- In 2019, she received an honorary doctorate from University of the Arts London.
- In 2018, she received the Fellowship Award at the Society of British and International Design awards.
- In 2018, she was awarded the Luxury Briefing Award for Outstanding Individual.
- In 2018, the Canadian Arts & Fashion Awards gave her the Global Fashion Business Leader Award.
- In 2018, she received the Visionary Award from the Women's Jewelry Association.
- In 2017, she received a Stephan Weiss Apple Award from Donna Karan's Urban Zen Foundation.
- In 2016, she was made a Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres. This was for Swarovski's support of the Palace of Versailles in France.
- In 2013, she received the NatWest UK Fashion & Textile Award for Outstanding Achievement.
- In 2012, she received the Making a Difference Award from Women for Women International.
- In 2011, the Council of Fashion Designers of America honored Nadja for the company's support of American fashion.
- In 2007, she received a Visionaries Award from New York's Museum of Arts and Design.
- In 2022, she received the Women's Entrepreneurship Day Organization’s Accessories Pioneer Award at the United Nations. This award celebrates women entrepreneurs who make a big impact.
Nadja Swarovski's Personal Life
Nadja Swarovski is married to Rupert Adams, who manages investments. They have a son and two daughters.
