CollectionsApr 08, 2026
Hearts On Fire Celebrates 30 Years By Asking a QuestionThe “What’s Your Signature?” campaign invites women to think about how they see themselves.
MajorsMay 21, 2020
Swarovski Names First Company-Wide Creative Director Amid Exec Shake-Up
Fashion industry veteran Giovanna Battaglia Engelbert will oversee the crystal company’s creative elements.
Giovanna Battaglia Engelbert has been appointed as Swarovski’s first creative director, following the appointment of a CEO and changes to its executive structure.
Wattens, Austria—Swarovski has named fashion veteran Giovanna Battaglia Engelbert its first company-wide global creative director, the crystal company announced earlier this week following recent changes to its executive board.
“For decades, Swarovski has been illuminating the world of fashion, design, entertainment, in general the whole creative industry. I am thrilled to be leading the creative vision of a cultural powerhouse like Swarovski in the future,” said Engelbert in a press release.
Engelbert, who confirmed the appointment on her website, will be tasked with overseeing the creative side of the Swarovski crystal business, including brand image, products, communications, campaigns, stores and events.
Born and raised in Milan, Engelbert has been an editor and fashion consultant for more than 20 years, working with big-name brands like Dolce & Gabbana, Michael Kors, Christian Dior, and Carolina Herrera.
The former Dolce & Gabbana model was a force behind Vogue Gioello, the now-defunct Vogue publication dedicated to jewelry, and also served in editorial roles for L’Uomo Vogue, Vogue Japan, Vogue Pelle, and W Magazine.
She also rose to fame for her oft-photographed street style outside of fashion week shows around the world, becoming one of the industry’s biggest and earliest street style stars.
In 2016, Engelbert took on a consultant role for Swarovski Professional, the company’s business-to-business division.
She created the “Book of Dreams,” a limited-edition coffee table magazine showcasing artwork created using the company’s crystals and pearls.
Englebert’s first product designs will be showcased in Swarovksi’s Spring/Summer 2021 collection.
The announcement follows a recent restructuring at the company, which included the appointment of CEO Robert Buchbauer, the great-great-grandson of the company's founder, Daniel Swarovski.
“Our 125-year history is witness for the power of our company to transform and reinvent itself and I am pleased to welcome a brilliant creative mind and strong female leader like Giovanna to our company,” said Buchbauer in a press release.
As far as other executive changes, a source told WWD that Nadja Swarovski, also a great-great-grandchild of the company’s founder, had “lost all oversight of her main responsibilities, which was the Atelier Swarovski business, corporate branding, communications and corporate social responsibility.”
A company spokesperson declined to address a change to Nadja’s role, but noted she was still a member of the executive board.
Markus Langes-Swarovski, however, is no longer a member of the executive board, a spokesperson confirmed, but remains on the advisory board and is the chairman of the board of directors.
The executive board, the board of directors, and the advisory board are separate entities, said Swarovski.
The executive board, which held the reins prior to the appointment of a CEO, now includes Buchbauer, Mathias Margreiter, and Nadja Swarovski.
“For decades, Swarovski has been illuminating the world of fashion, design, entertainment, in general the whole creative industry. I am thrilled to be leading the creative vision of a cultural powerhouse like Swarovski in the future,” said Engelbert in a press release.
Engelbert, who confirmed the appointment on her website, will be tasked with overseeing the creative side of the Swarovski crystal business, including brand image, products, communications, campaigns, stores and events.
Born and raised in Milan, Engelbert has been an editor and fashion consultant for more than 20 years, working with big-name brands like Dolce & Gabbana, Michael Kors, Christian Dior, and Carolina Herrera.
The former Dolce & Gabbana model was a force behind Vogue Gioello, the now-defunct Vogue publication dedicated to jewelry, and also served in editorial roles for L’Uomo Vogue, Vogue Japan, Vogue Pelle, and W Magazine.
She also rose to fame for her oft-photographed street style outside of fashion week shows around the world, becoming one of the industry’s biggest and earliest street style stars.
In 2016, Engelbert took on a consultant role for Swarovski Professional, the company’s business-to-business division.
She created the “Book of Dreams,” a limited-edition coffee table magazine showcasing artwork created using the company’s crystals and pearls.
Englebert’s first product designs will be showcased in Swarovksi’s Spring/Summer 2021 collection.
The announcement follows a recent restructuring at the company, which included the appointment of CEO Robert Buchbauer, the great-great-grandson of the company's founder, Daniel Swarovski.
“Our 125-year history is witness for the power of our company to transform and reinvent itself and I am pleased to welcome a brilliant creative mind and strong female leader like Giovanna to our company,” said Buchbauer in a press release.
As far as other executive changes, a source told WWD that Nadja Swarovski, also a great-great-grandchild of the company’s founder, had “lost all oversight of her main responsibilities, which was the Atelier Swarovski business, corporate branding, communications and corporate social responsibility.”
A company spokesperson declined to address a change to Nadja’s role, but noted she was still a member of the executive board.
Markus Langes-Swarovski, however, is no longer a member of the executive board, a spokesperson confirmed, but remains on the advisory board and is the chairman of the board of directors.
The executive board, the board of directors, and the advisory board are separate entities, said Swarovski.
The executive board, which held the reins prior to the appointment of a CEO, now includes Buchbauer, Mathias Margreiter, and Nadja Swarovski.
The Latest
SourcingApr 08, 2026
Sale of 42-Carat Blue Diamond Gives Petra a Boost in Q3The big diamond’s sale added to the company’s revenue though the market remains “challenging” overall, particularly for smaller goods.
Events & AwardsApr 08, 2026
AGS Confluence Returns with AI, Sustainability SessionsRob Bates of The Jewelry Wire will also moderate a panel on the state of the jewelry industry during the virtual event.
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessYou deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.
Events & AwardsApr 08, 2026
TJS to Honor 2 Longtime Former Stuller EmployeesThe Jewelry Symposium will honor two industry veterans with lifetime achievement awards at its upcoming May event.
Weekly QuizApr 02, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
TrendsApr 08, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: April’s Brilliant Birthstone With their durability, brilliance, and beauty, diamonds are the perfect stone for everyday birthstone jewelry.
ColumnistsApr 07, 2026
Peter Smith: A Tip to the Post Office on Workplace CultureSmith recounts a recent trip to the post office that included an uncomfortable, embarrassing, and public exchange between two employees.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
GradingApr 07, 2026
GIA CFO David Tearle to Retire in June John Cowley, who has more than 30 years of experience, is succeeding Tearle as the lab’s chief financial officer.
CollectionsApr 07, 2026
Nerd Out Over Gemology Geek’s First Jewelry CollectionFounder Erica Silverglide has designed 35 colorful pieces set with fluorescing gemstones for the brand's first finished jewelry offering.
CollectionsApr 07, 2026
Ukrainian Jewelers Highlighted In New Book“Ukrainian Jewelry | Contemporary Jewelry and Art Jewelry from Ukraine” features 33 contemporary Ukrainian designers and studios.
CollectionsApr 06, 2026
Fope’s New Jewelry Debuts Are Golden“The Golden Now” campaign celebrates the here and now with the brand’s signature styles and a selection of its new pieces.
CollectionsApr 06, 2026
Historian Tanzy Ward Pens Book on Black Victorians’ JewelryThe antique jewelry dealer talks about the importance of including Black Americans in jewelry history and preserving their stories.
SourcingApr 06, 2026
Gemfields Reports $51M Loss in 2025Both its mines faced challenges last year, from operational issues to disruptions in the market.
CollectionsApr 03, 2026
Taylor Swift’s ‘Elizabeth Taylor’ Video Puts Jewelry Front and CenterIconic pieces, like the Mike Todd Diamond Tiara, appear in the superstar’s new music video for her song inspired by the actress.
MajorsApr 03, 2026
Saks Global Says It Will Emerge From Bankruptcy This SummerThe luxury retailer, which went Chapter 11 in January, announced Thursday that it has secured $500 million in exit financing.
Events & AwardsApr 03, 2026
JCK Luxury, NouvelleBox Partner on New Designer BallroomThe NouvelleBox ballroom will feature independent jewelry designers, including Lene Vibe, Wyld Box Jewelry, and Kiaia Limited.
CollectionsApr 03, 2026
Buddha Mama Brings Its ‘Moon’ Locket To DallasThe one-of-a-kind locket, our Piece of the Week, opens to reveal three hidden images to keep close to your heart.
MajorsApr 02, 2026
Pandora Opens New Canadian Distribution Center Amid Tariff ConcernsThe new facility was also designed to better serve its growing customer base in Canada.
TrendsApr 02, 2026
Michelle Yeoh Fronts New Mikimoto Campaign The campaign is a tribute to the year 1893, when Kokichi Mikimoto created the world’s first cultured pearl.
GradingApr 02, 2026
GIA Debuts New Campus in TaiwanIt is the only GIA school to offer the GIA Graduate Gemologist program in Chinese.
MajorsApr 02, 2026
DCA Launches ‘Second Spark’ Workforce InitiativeThe initiative connects veterans and parents returning to the workforce with careers in jewelry retail.
MajorsApr 02, 2026
Hoover & Strong Names New National Sales RepresentativeThe wholesale manufacturer and precious metals refiner has appointed Michael Angelo as its new national sales representative.
MajorsApr 01, 2026
Foundrae Sues Pandora for Allegedly Copying Its Medallion DesignsFoundrae also accused the jewelry giant of copying its mood board style of marketing.
AuctionsApr 01, 2026
John Jacob Astor IV’s Titanic Pocket Watch Heads to AuctionA Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co. timepiece owned by the American businessman who died on the Titanic will be offered at Freeman's Chicago.
SurveysApr 01, 2026
Consumers’ Outlook Improves Again in MarchThe Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index edged up, with optimism about the present outweighing worries about the future.
IndependentsApr 01, 2026
Zachary’s Jewelers’ Constance Polamalu to Release Children’s BookThe retailer’s Zach Bear gift comes to life in “Zach Bear and the Window Necklace,” which centers on curiosity, bravery, and helping.
