Swarovski jewellery brings Cinderella to life

13.0 k views | Posted March 20, 2015 | By India Nicholson• Staff Journalist

While costumes, makeup and set design all help to tell a story, it’s the glistening jewellery that makes the greatest impact in the latest Cinderella movie.

Swarovski has played a major role in the 2015 Walt Disney Cinderella movie, which was released in March and stars Cate Blanchett, Helena Bonham Carter and Lily James in the lead role.

The Austrian company – renowned for its crystal – joined forces with award-winning costume designer Sandy Powell to create the costumes and jewellery for the film.

More than 1.7 million Swarovski crystals were embellished on the gowns of Cinderella, the fairy godmother and the wicked stepmother. The crystal company also offered more than 150 tiaras and jewellery pieces from its collection to capture the glamour and charm of the famous fairytale.

Helena Bonham Carter as The Fairy Godmother

Cate Blanchett as Lady Tremaine, the wicked stepmother

The glass slippers arguably play the most pivotal role in the plot, and as such, the prop had to exceed expectations and produce wow-factor. Swarovski was seemingly the perfect fit (excuse the pun) to design and create the iconic slipper, which was made from solid crystal and featured 221 light-reflecting facets.

Commenting on the collaboration, Powell said, “For me, Swarovski crystals are a key creative ingredient to add light, depth and colour to my costumes. Cinderella is perhaps the ultimate romantic fairytale, and working with Swarovski has added a new level of enchantment, illuminating the characters and bringing them to life in a magical way”.

Fantasy to reality

The partnership also extended beyond the screen, with Powell recently debuting a jewellery line created in partnership with Atelier Swarovski.

The Tremaine collection is inspired by the classical glamour of Cinderella’s evil stepmother, Lady Tremaine, played by Cate Blanchett. The eight statement pieces, including cuffs, rings, necklaces and earrings, showcase an antique leaf motif adorned with baguette-cut crystals of emerald green or gold crystal.

In addition, Swarovski has created its own fashion jewellery collection that pays tribute to the princess and features motifs inspired by nature such as butterflies and flowers. The pieces showcase crystals ranging from shades of vintage rose to amethyst. A limited edition crystal figurine of Cinderella and the glass slipper has also been released.

Leveraging the Disney franchise

Jewellery supplier Disney Couture has also extended its pre-existing Cinderella collection to align with the movie release.

Disney Couture managing director Michael Tran explained that the pieces were designed specifically with reference to the new film.

“The movie has a lot of iconic items and characters like the pumpkin carriage and glass slipper. These items can be recreated and recognised beautifully through jewellery,” he said. “Cinderella is elegant, brave and beautiful... something that we feel can be expressed very well through jewellery.”

As previously reported by Jeweller, Walt Disney movies have proved inspiration for a number of jewellery ranges.

The 2014 film, Maleficent, featuring Angelina Jolie, resulted in a tantalising jewellery collection by Crow’s Nest Fine Jewelry. Similar to Powell, this collection of edgy and dark jewellery centres on the story’s evil character.

Meanwhile, US-based business Disney Engagement Rings also capitalised on the sentiment of favourite childhood characters. Its range of rings draws inspiration from the 10 iconic princesses and their enchanting worlds.

Retailers might also like to capitalise on the recent Disney fanfare by placing products in the limelight that mirror the jewellery in movies like Cinderella. Displaying pieces such as diamond tiaras and pearl brooches may be a new drawcard to your store.

Below is the Swarovski Cinderella collection, Tremaine jewellery range, Disney Couture collection, as well as the Cinderella trailer showcasing the glass slipper.