The suite of shimmering Swarovski-embellished costumes included in the lavish production features Cinderella's iconic crystal slipper, which plays such a pivotal role in the classic fairy tale, as well as gowns, jewellery, accessories, hair, make-up, wigs and props.
Sandy Powell, a long time Swarovski collaborator, worked with technicians at the firm's headquarters in Austria to design and realize the unique crystal slippers given to Cinderella by her Fairy Godmother, played in the film by Helena Bonham Carter. A team of eight worked on the development and creation of the shoes, taking approximately 150 hours and working on six versions before the final model was decided on. The dazzling slippers are hewn from solid crystal with a 6 inch heel and their dimensions are a dainty 186x75x196mm, featuring 221 facets in a light-reflecting Crystal Blue Aurora Borealis coating.
In addition to the unique slippers, Swarovski also worked with Powell on scores of costumes, jewellery, accessories, hair, make-up, wigs and props. The crystal house provided over 1.7 million crystals, which were used to embellish costumes such as Cinderella's breathtaking blue ball gown, the Fairy Godmother's gown and magic wand, and the wicked stepmother's dress. Swarovski also opened its famous jewellery archives to Sandy Powell and her team, who used vintage pieces to lend added glamour to the ballroom scenes.
Branagh's Cinderella, is a live-action feature inspired by the classic fairy tale. It brings to life the timeless images from Disney's 1950 animated masterpiece as fully-realized characters in a visually-dazzling spectacle for a whole new generation.
Nadja Swarovski, Member of the Swarovski Executive Board, commented: "We are always delighted and honoured to work with Sandy Powell, a design genius whose artistry and impeccable eye for detail results in the most beautiful costumes that lend magic to every project she works on.
"Swarovski is as much about innovation as it is about glamour and sparkle, so we are especially thrilled to have helped Sandy realise her vision for the crystal slipper, a technically challenging sculptural piece whose 221 crystal facets refract the light in the most enchanting way. Like Dorothy's ruby slipper, it is an icon of storytelling and absolutely central to the plot, so it had to be perfect."
Sandy Powell commented: "For me, Swarovski crystals are a key creative ingredient to add sparkle, depth and colour to my costumes. Cinderella is without doubt the ultimate romantic fairy tale, and I honestly couldn't imagine designing the costumes without the invaluable contribution of Swarovski. Their involvement adds the essential elements of glamour and enchantment necessary to bring the characters to life in a magical way."
Since the emergence of the silver screen, Swarovski crystals have played a supporting role in some of Hollywood's most memorable cinematic moments and illuminated its most iconic stars. Working hand and hand with costume and production designers, Swarovski is proud to have captured the spotlight by adding sparkling glamour to show-stopping jewels, costumes, props and sets.
Cinderella will be released through Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures on March 13th, 2015. For more information, visit: www.facebook.com/waltdisneystudios
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About Swarovski and Film
Swarovski's history on the silver screen goes back 80 years, and sparkles with unforgettable moments such as Dorothy tapping her crystal-encrusted ruby slippers in The Wizard of Oz, Marilyn Monroe wriggling in a series of breathtaking Swarovski-embellished gowns for Some Like it Hot and Audrey Hepburn accessorising her Little Black Dresses with chic jewellery pieces in Breakfast at Tiffany's. In recent years Swarovski crystals sparkled in a host of productions, including The Young Victoria, Black Swan, Bond, Oz the Great and Powerful, The Great Gatsby and Swarovski Entertainment's Romeo & Juliet.
Having worked hand in hand with countless costume, jewellery and set designers on some of Hollywood's most iconic productions, it was a natural evolution for Swarovski to move into film production. Established in 2008, Swarovski Entertainment collaborates with industry partners and exceptional talent to develop, finance and produce original and artistically accomplished feature films with international box office appeal. Its films aim to express Swarovski's philosophy and creative essence through moving images to enchant and inspire audiences around the world. Swarovski Entertainment's first feature film, Romeo & Juliet, based on a script by Julian Fellowes and starring Hailee Steinfeld and Douglas Booth, was released in October 2013.
About Swarovski
Swarovski delivers a diverse portfolio of unmatched quality, craftsmanship, and creativity that goes beyond the manufacturing of crystal. Founded in 1895 in Austria, Swarovski designs, manufactures, and markets high-quality crystals, genuine gemstones and created stones, and finished products such as jewelry, accessories, and lighting. In addition, Swarovski Crystal Worlds was established as a unique venue dedicated to showcasing artistic interpretations of crystal. Swarovski Entertainment collaborates with established industry partners and exceptional talent to produce international feature films, while the Swarovski Foundation supports creativity and culture, promotes wellbeing, and conserves natural resources. Now run by the fifth generation of family members, Swarovski Crystal Business has a global reach with approximately 2,480 stores in around 170 countries, more than 24,000 employees, and revenue of about 2.33 billion euros in 2013. Together with its sister companies Swarovski Optik (optical devices) and Tyrolit (abrasives), Swarovski Crystal Business forms the Swarovski Group. In 2013, the Group generated revenue of about 3.02 billion euros and employed more than 30,000 people.
www.swarovskigroup.com
About Cinderella
The story of "Cinderella" follows the fortunes of young Ella (Lily James) whose merchant father remarries following the death of her mother. Eager to support her loving father, Ella welcomes her new stepmother (Cate Blanchett) and her daughters Anastasia (Holliday Grainger) and Drisella (Sophie McShera) into the family home. But, when Ella's father unexpectedly passes away, she finds herself at the mercy of a jealous and cruel new family. Finally relegated to nothing more than a servant girl covered in ashes, and spitefully renamed Cinderella, Ella could easily begin to lose hope. Yet, despite the cruelty inflicted upon her, Ella is determined to honor her mother's dying words and to "have courage and be kind." She will not give in to despair nor despise those who mistreat her. And then there is the dashing stranger she meets in the woods. Unaware that he is really a prince, not merely an apprentice at the Palace, Ella finally feels she has met a kindred soul. It appears her fortunes may be about to change when the Palace sends out an open invitation for all maidens to attend a ball, raising Ella's hopes of once again encountering the charming Kit (Richard Madden). Alas, her stepmother forbids her to attend and callously rips apart her dress. But, as in all good fairy tales, help is at hand, and a kindly beggar woman (Helena Bonham Carter) steps forward and – armed with a pumpkin and a few mice – changes Cinderella's life forever.
A live-action feature inspired by the classic fairy tale, "Cinderella" brings to life the timeless images from Disney's 1950 animated masterpiece as fully-realized characters in a visually-dazzling spectacle for a whole new generation.
