Lorre White reports – Baccarat opens in NYC Hotel

French luxury glassmaker, Baccarat announced the opening of a new flagship store in New York, on Madison Avenue, Spring 2013. The new Baccarat store in New York will be the second largest in the world, covering over 250 sqm on 2 floors.

Starwood Capital which owns 60% of Baccarat, signed earlier this year a partnership with Tribeca Associates to develop a Baccarat Hotel & Residences, on 5th Avenue in New York, projected to open late 2014. In 2011, Baccarat registered a net loss of 2,3 million euros and since, the company has been implementing an ambitious restructuring plan, focusing on improving productivity.

Baccarat Creation of a glassworks at Baccarat – 1764

King Louis XV authorizes the Bishop of Metz, Louis de Montmorency-Laval, to establish a glassworks in the village of Baccarat situated in Lorraine on the banks of the Meurthe River. In 1775 it was named the “Sainte-Anne glassworks.”

Transformation of the glassworks into a crystal manufacture – 1816

Industrialist Aimé-Gabriel d’Artigues, owner of the Vonêche (Belgium) glass and crystal works, takes over the Sainte-Anne glassworks and transforms it into a crystal glassworks.

First royal commission – 1823

Baccarat receives its first prestigious commission for a set of stemware from King Louis XVIII. Soon after, Kings Charles X and Louis-Philippe follow suit.

First crystal manufacturer of chandeliers – 1827

Baccarat is the first French crystal manufacturer to exhibit chandeliers (which had been in development since 1824) during the National Exhibition of French Industrial Products.

Opening of a Baccarat salesroom in Paris – 1832

The first Parisian shop opens at 30 bis rue de Paradis; it is run by Launay, Hautin et Cie.

Introduction of an exemplary social policy – 1835

Baccarat instigates a pioneering social policy: the creation of insurance policies for the manufacture’s glasscutters, followed in 1851 by a retirement policy, as well as free schooling for the workers’ children (starting in 1827 for boys and 1868 for girls). This policy received rewards, notably at the 1889 and 1900 Universal Exhibitions in Paris.

Production of colored crystal pieces – 1839

Baccarat is the first glassworks in France to create colored crystal, for which the company received a gold medal at the National Exhibition of Industrial Products. Baccarat will remain a leader in this art, particularly for the invention of the famous gold ruby red and opaline colors.

Creation of the Harcourt service – 1841

Baccarat designs the Harcourt service; the classic, timeless shape has made it the brand’s emblem and an international bestseller. The famous flat facet cut magnifies the light in the crystal.

Creation of stemware for the Russian Court – 1906

Designed for Tsar Nicolas II, the Tsar stemware set in colored-overlay clear crystal and entirely engraved, was ordered by princes, aristocrats and prominent figures in the Russian Imperial Court. (The so-called Tsar candelabra was presented at the 1878 Universal Exhibition, and in 1896 the “Russian furnace” was built exclusively for the production of special Russian commissions.)

Baccarat trademark: from paper to engraving – 1936

Baccarat’s signature is applied systematically to every product; the paper label is replaced by an acid-etched trademark. In 1990, a laser is used to apply the Baccarat logo (all Baccarat signatures are now sand engraved). Later, jewelry would be marked with a single logo, and starting in 1997, all chandeliers carry a red crystal pampille.

A subsidiary opens in America: Baccarat Inc – 1948

An American subsidiary, Baccarat Inc., opens with the creation of Baccarat’s first U.S. boutique on 57th Street in New York City.

Baccarat bicentennial – 1964

The glassworks celebrates its bicentennial in Paris. The Musee des Arts Décoratifs in the Louvre holds an extensive retrospective exhibition in honor of the company’s 200 years of achievement.

Creation of a jewelry line – 1992

Baccarat launches its first jewelry collection. The most creative contemporary designers—including Catherine Noll (Coquillage collection, 1993), Peggy Huynh Kinh (Blade collection, 2008), Philippe Airaud (Facettes collection, 2009), Stefano Poletti (Pampilles collection, 2009) and Elie Top (Bouchons de Carafe collection, 2010)—work with Baccarat.

First “Rencontre” collection by Mathias – 1996

The first “Rencontre” collection, with renowned designer Mathias (Shéhérazade collection), illustrates the creative union formed by Baccarat, its glassworkers and the designer.

The Maison Baccarat opens in Paris 2002

Baccarat relocates it headquarters to 11 place des Etats-Unis, Paris, in the legendary former mansion of Marie-Laure de Noailles. Redecorated by the designer Philippe Starck, it also houses a magnificent museum, a boutique and the Cristal Room restaurant.

Starwood Capital, Baccarat’s majority shareholder – 2005

Starwood Capital takes over the Société du Louvre and hence becomes Baccarat’s majority shareholder.

A record number of “Best French Craftsmen” (“Meilleurs Ouvriers de France”) – 2006

Baccarat employs more “Best French Craftsmen” than any other French luxury company and is the only crystal manufactory to have a “Maître d’Art” (a “Living Treasure,” or master craftsman).

The Maison Baccarat opens in Moscow – 2008

The Maison Baccarat opens in Moscow in a prestigious mansion on Nikolskaya Street.

A master replica of the Parisian crystal palace, the Moscow Maison Baccarat was also designed by Philippe Starck.

Philippe Starck reinterprets the black crystal Zénith chandelier, and in 2005 creates the Darkside collection.

Lorre White, WOMAN of ACTION™