Swarovski names first company-wide director

Swarovski has announced the appointment of Giovanna Battaglia Engelbert as the group’s first ever company-wide creative director.

The role is the first of its kind in the jewellery giant’s 125-year history, and is “reflective of a restructuring” that has recently been seen across the group.

The appointment closely follows news that Swarovski family members, Robert Buchbauer, Nadja Swarovski, and Mathias Margreiter have also joined the executive board.

Battaglia Engelbert began her career as a high fashion model, and later moved into styling and editing. In her new role as creative director, she will now oversee “all of the Austrian company’s endeavours, from chandeliers to stemware”. 

Speaking to British Vogue, she said: “I have already been committed to the creative direction of Swarovski’s B2B division since 2016 and was focussing on the areas of ingredient branding, design, and content curation then.

“My new role is a natural evolution and now covers all creative aspects of Swarovski as a whole.”

She added: “It was mind-blowing for me to deep-dive into the craftsmanship and incredible competencies Swarovski holds. I’m very happy that I have been given the magic wand now.

“As part of a new overall vision and growth strategy of the company, I have already started crafting a new creative vision for Swarovski. We are set to enter a new era and will reveal more in the collection for spring/summer 2021.”