Silver screen gems
"At first, I looked at myself and said: 'Who am I?' You go talk to Ilene. But then, after a while, you realize, once you are in the creative world that creativity applies to different subjects," Swarovski says.
"Everything we do in our office is about dotting the I and crossing the T, and that applies to the film industry as well - that yearning for perfection."
Swarovski confesses that perfection in film appears harder to come by than it does in her own business, as many elements, such as the timing of the film's release or the chemistry between the actors, are largely uncontrollable.
What she was able to control, however, was putting together a talented ensemble cast, which includes Damien Lewis, Natascha McElhone, Lesley Manville, Ed Westwick, Paul Giamatti and Stellan Skarsgard. She was also able to control the financing of the project, and explained that new financiers are welcomed in Hollywood because less money is available to back smaller films.
Steinfeld, who plays Juliet in the film and is best known for her role in True Grit, says: "Nadja Swarovski and her team were always a positive presence", adding she'd like to work with Swarovski again.
Her co-star Douglas Booth echoed that sentiment. From his hotel room at the Peninsula in New York, the British actor, who plays Romeo, says that while he didn't know much about Swarovski before filming, "Nadja has been so supportive."
Swarovski indicated that the brand would begin selling a 15-piece jewelry collection inspired by the film in its boutiques in the US once Romeo and Juliet is released this fall.
The collection includes a ring worn by Juliet in the movie, a gift from Romeo. The pieces are inspired by romance and reflect the styles of the period. Some take their cues from symbols in the film, like pearls, swords and crosses.
It's a shrewd move for the brand, which periodically makes baubles for film releases, as it did with the latest James Bond flick, Skyfall.
Related:
African designer's fashion tailored in China