A Look at Swarovski’s Role in Lighting Design

From the arty and sculptural to the innovative and industrial, Swarovski’s role in lighting design is rich and varied. The brand made its first foray into lighting when it began offering crystals to chandelier manufacturers in the Sixties, and recently collaborated with Rem Koolhaas on a light installation at last year’s Architecture Biennale in Venice. By 1966, Swarovski became part of a diplomatic mission when the Republic of Austria gave the now-famous “Sputnik” chandeliers, adorned with Swarovski crystals, to the New York Metropolitan Opera, in gratitude for American aid following World War II. In 2008, Swarovski would later pay for the refurbishment of the chandeliers, which were designed by Hans Harald Rath with 50,000 custom-made crystals. The Metropolitan Opera isn’t the only historic venue where Swarovski crystals have shone. In 1980, Swarovski experts helped to repair and refurbish the Baroque chandeliers at the Palace of Versailles following extensive renovation work to the site. Such projects involved supplying crystals to other designers. But in 2002, Swarovski took a more active role in lighting design. Nadja Swarovski, who heads design services, asked several lauded designers to reinvent the chandelier with an artistic twist. The Swarovski Crystal Palace Collection was born, with creations by big names from

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