Johnamarie Macias at The Wookiee Gunner talks to Allison Cimino, the founder of RockLove, about their new Star Wars Jewelry Collection.
“It has always been a dream of mine to create a Star Wars collection, and I knew that if I had the opportunity, I would explore on the more obscure characters and far flung places that make the Star Wars galaxy so vast,” Cimino told TWG. “The new line highlights small characters with big personalities and fierce female warriors within the franchise, like the Gonk droid and Ahsoka Tano, along with some necessary tools of the trade, like the thermal detonator and AT-AT.”
Needless to say, the Star Wars X RockLove jewelry collection is also a dream come true for most fans, but the average consumer doesn’t think about the process of taking a rough sketch and transforming it into tangible pieces of jewelry. Cimino briefly walked us through the process.
“When I begin sketching a new collection, I first re-watch, re-read, and research to ensure that I am honoring what drew me to that franchise in the first place. I let my mind wander and then follow the trail as I reflect on memories, details, and ideas. Like how a character moves or how I could translate a particularly unique piece of costuming. After sketches comes 3D sculpting, then CAD prints and molds for the lost wax casting method. When a sample’s personality shines through, then the design is ready for production!”
As for how licensing plays a role in the production process, it’s easy to forget how the licensee can come across multiple obstacles, but Cimino felt extremely grateful for Lucasfilm’s enthusiastic support along the way.
“I’ve worked closely with the consumer products team since day one to ensure that each step of the process is a collaboration,” she said. “Knowledgeable fans themselves, they can tap into concept art, props, and more so that even my wildest ideas can become reality. And our teamwork ensures that RockLove’s designs remain authentic while most accurately depicting the galaxy we all love.”
The thought process behind the 11-piece collection carefully took subtle details from the Star Wars galaxy and converted those details into stunning designs, but it begs the question. Were there some designs that didn’t move onto the next stage of production and stayed behind as a sketch?
“The Star Wars universe is so vast and so in-depth that there’s always room to expand,” she responded. “So far the only reason an idea hasn’t made it to the next step is because a better idea came along and took priority!”
The second part of RockLove’s Star Wars X RockLove jewelry collection will be debuting later this year, and while Cimino couldn’t disclose any details regarding this upcoming release, she did talk about how this part of the collection enhanced the experience for her, especially with the Skywalker saga coming to an end in December.
“The conclusion of the Skywalker saga is bittersweet, but I’m excited to see what Lucasfilm brings us next,” she said. “And while the galaxy expands, we’ll always cherish those catalyst characters. It’s humbling to think that my little AT-AT or Jawa Necklace might help a fellow fan feel connected to the Star Wars legacy.”
