Eyeglasses have long been a fashion accessory. So much so that even people who don't need them wear them.
The invention and use of glass lenses to magnify or to light a fire began around 300 BCE, but the first glasses for vision aid or correction were invented in 1280 in Florence, Italy.
Today, the Swarovski jewelry company is launching a signature eyewear collection comprised of eyeglasses and sunglasses.
The brand's history began in 1891, when Bohemian-born Austrian businessman, glazier, and jeweler Daniel Swarovski wanted to create "a diamond for everyone." He invented a precision machine that opened a new era of crystals. What impelled Swarovski was a passion for innovation and design. Thus the brand specializes in combining sophisticated design with trendy curation. Each piece tells a story of a heritage of over 130 years of fine craftsmanship.
In 1935, the company created its first pair of eyeglasses, laying the foundation for the Optical Department of the Swarovski industrial complex. The company is managed by the family’s fifth generation in Swarovski’s historic headquarters in Austria.
The Swarovski brand, owned by the Luxottica Group, is considered one of the leading jewelry and accessories brands in the world, synonymous with innovative design, luxury, glamor, and quality.
Swarovski’s new eyewear collection features 18 models of sunglasses and 20 models of eyeglasses, each embedded with high-quality Swarovski crystals. Among the lenses are mirroring or clear lenses with richly colored crystals such as green, blue, gold, pink, ornamented with jewel-toned stones. The frames range from sleek frames crowned with full-cut stones or wraparound embellished with glittering micropavé. The collection illuminates the many facets of Swarovski, from heritage to lifestyle and beyond.
Says Elinor Bor Ben-Zvi, the Luxottica Israel marketing director, “Swarovski eyewear doesn't just shield the eyes from the sun, it adorns one's vision with the luxury of jewelry, transforming a simple accessory into a statement of sophistication.”
According to Gloria Babay, a trendologist and collection manager at Opticana, the chain that was chosen to market the brand: “The main emphasis is that it is an intimate brand at a very accessible price. Next to the Swarovski stones, the line is very trendy with very up-to-date cuts. Among the trends are the Aviator Sunglasses, a contemporary shape to which Swarovski gave a twist; and the Cat Eye Sunglasses, with a touch of elegance. The frame is covered with clusters of crystals."
This article is taken from The Jerusalem Post, 'Women - Heroines of Swords of Iron' Magazine 2024. To read the entire magazine, click here.