- 4 min read
- by Doya Karolini
The New Generation of Luxury
Although Marina Raphael Vogiatzaki belongs to the sixth generation of the Swarovski family, she has managed in an impressively short time to leave her own, distinct mark on the world of luxury design.
She doesn’t simply design handbags. She envisions objects that transcend trends and become symbols of timeless elegance. She is not interested in the ephemeral; on the contrary, she focuses on the eternal. And while she may not follow trends, she certainly shapes them.
At just 26 years old, Marina Raphael Vogiatzaki has managed to establish her own unmistakable identity in the world of luxury design and fashion. Even though she hails from the sixth generation of the Swarovski family. “I don’t see my name as a burden, but as a source of inspiration,” she says, laughing. “After all, it’s not enough to open a door, you must be able to walk through it, proving that you deserve to be where you’ve just entered. Building a business and earning ever-greater recognition takes discipline, attention to detail, sacrifice, and determination.”
Born in Athens to a Swiss-Austrian mother (Anouska Raphael) and a Greek father, she grew up with an international mindset and cultivated sensibility. She studied at King’s College London, specializing in Business Management. She began her career at just 19 and, in 2018, launched her own brand, Marina Raphael. In just seven years, she has been included in Forbes’ “30 Under 30” list, secured presence in the world’s most prestigious department stores, from Harrods to Neiman Marcus and seen her designs carried by some of the planet’s most iconic women. From London to Los Angeles, her handbags have graced the hands of Olivia Palermo, Queen Máxima of the Netherlands, Jennifer Lopez, and Jessica Alba.
Her studio functions as a vibrant creative hub of contemporary luxury. Her bags are defined by geometric forms, minimalist aesthetics, and unexpected materials from Plexiglas to recycled fabrics — in an effort to reinvent the notion of sustainable luxury. “After all,” she emphasizes, “there’s no point in designing something beautiful if you haven’t considered its impact on the world.”
One of the most significant milestones in her journey was undoubtedly her collaboration with the Lebanese fashion house Elie Saab, where she now serves as Artistic and Design Director of Handbags — designing and presenting four ready-to-wear and two haute couture collections annually. Together, they co-sign limited-edition capsule collections, filled with haute couture details and architectural purity, bridging sculpture and fashion. “It’s a creative dialogue built on respect and mutual admiration,” she notes. The collection debuted during international fashion weeks and was hailed as one of the most successful collaborations in the brand’s history.
She deeply honors her design heritage, attributing much of her aesthetic to the women in her family. “My mother, my grandmother, my aunt… they were always women with style, who dressed for themselves, not for trends. They had confidence. I remember my grandmother, Marina Giori Swarovski, with the most magical wardrobe, full of vintage pieces. But I always loved the styling and accessories most,” she recalls. This long tradition of strong, independent female figures, she says, gave her the confidence and ambition to succeed. “My family taught me not to be afraid to take risks — and not to fear mistakes, because we learn the most valuable lessons from them.”
Ultimately, she embodies the essence of modern chic — a woman who can shine in a debutante ballroom as easily as she can lead in a boardroom.
She avoids overexposure, maintaining a low profile and believing deeply in the power of inner discipline. She reads poetry, loves art, and remains steadfast in her aesthetic identity. “For me, luxury is silent. It doesn’t scream; it simply exists,” she says. And this is precisely how she builds her brand — with clean lines, solid values, and faith in the power of creation.
Today, Marina Raphael continues to expand her international distribution network, with her collections available in select boutiques and concept stores worldwide. Her brand has become synonymous with a new, more mature and ethical kind of luxury — not merely as an image, but as a way of life.
“As one must always stay true to their vision, accept criticism, learn from it, and never give up.”
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