RockLove’s Allison Cimino on Star Wars Day and Loving Han Solo

By Karen Dybis | May 04, 2023

For Star Wars fans, May 4 is a holiday when everyone they meet will likely receive the same greeting: “May the 4th be with you.”

It’s a silly and wonderfully nerdy take on “May the Force be with you,” from the beloved film series. Thanks to fandom traditions like this, jewelers can connect with Star Wars–loving consumers with themed jewelry and Star Wars Day releases. Brands from Citizen to Kay to RockLove offer collections highlighting the movies and their characters.

Citizen Watch America timed the debut of the two newest pieces in the Star Wars x Citizen collection for May 4. Both watches feature movie design elements and a character’s signature quote on the case back.

“Our new Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader watches couldn’t come at a better time, as we begin to celebrate the fandom surrounding May the 4th,” Eric Horowitz, managing director for Citizen Watch America, tells JCK.

One jewelry designer who considers May the 4th a special day is Allison Cimino, CEO and designer for RockLove, which has a well-known collaboration with Star Wars and collabs with other franchises with intense fan bases, including Star Trek, Marvel, Pixar, Disney, and, coming soon, Indiana Jones.

RockLove’s Star Wars jewelry includes a newly released three-dimensional X-wing necklace, which hinges open to form the iconic X-formation. JCK talked to Cimino about why she creates this jewelry, what it means to the consumer, and what’s coming up next for RockLove.

Why do you think a male customer is drawn to wearing his heart for this amazing universe on his sleeve—or hand, ears, or neck—so to speak?

RockLove’s Star Wars jewelry is designed to appeal to all genders and body types, allowing fans to express their love for the franchise in a tangible and fashionable way. Attracting an almost even 50/50 split of male- and female-identifying customers, the jewelry pieces feature a variety of styles, from hefty, intricately sculpted antiqued sterling silver to delicate, glittering crystal designs. For male customers, wearing Star Wars jewelry allows them to feel connected to their favorite characters in a no-fuss way that goes with any outfit. The highly detailed miniatures of characters, ships, and droids, as well as realistically sized kyber crystal necklaces, transport wearers into the Star Wars galaxy. Ultimately, RockLove’s Star Wars jewelry is an extension of the franchise’s enduring legacy and provides fans with a way to connect with the beloved universe on a deeper level.

RockLove X Wing — RockLove’s officially licensed X-wing necklace ($145) features an antiqued sterling silver pendant that hinges open into the X-formation and four mauve cubic zirconia crystals, which are not visible in this photo.

Tell me about the new releases I saw on your Instagram—the Millennium Falcon and X-wing necklaces look so detailed I want to take a loop on them.

We are excited to be launching the Millennium Falcon and X-wing necklaces on May the 4th in honor of Star Wars Day. Handcrafted in antiqued sterling silver and realistically sculpted in charming miniature, the three-dimensional ships include CZ [cubic zirconia] crystal thrust engine and hyperdrive accents.

What’s coming in terms of directly reaching consumers?

RockLove Jewelry is excited to announce that we will be at San Diego Comic Con in the Star Wars Pavilion, showcasing our latest creations inspired by the iconic lightsabers of the franchise. Our new ring, necklace, and earring collection features intricate designs that capture the essence of these powerful weapons, with crystals that match our fan favorite kyber crystals and can be layered in to complete the look. We can’t wait to share these new pieces with the Star Wars community.

What inspires you most about Star Wars, and who are your favorite characters? I’m a sucker for Han Solo, but who isn’t?

As a designer, I’ve always been drawn to characters that exude confidence and have a bit of swagger, which is why I have a deep love for Han Solo. Harrison Ford’s portrayal of the iconic space smuggler captured a sense of adventure and rebellion that is matched only by his embodiment of the academic with a sharp wit and unwavering dedication to his archaeologic passions, Indiana Jones—another unforgettable franchise by Lucasfilm. Both characters are the epitome of cool and always manage to come out on top in the most impossible situations.

One of my personal all-time favorite fandoms, I’m very proud of our upcoming Indiana Jones x RockLove collaboration, launching on June 15, which will feature jewels inspired by artifacts seen on screen in the classic film franchise. The collection is so detailed, in opulent yellow gold-plated sterling silver, complete with Golden Idol, Holy Grail, and a hinged, openable Ark of the Covenant, that these pieces will have you saying, “They belong in a museum.”

Top: RockLove’s new X-wing and Millennium Falcon necklaces, two of the jewelry pieces released in honor of Star Wars Day, May 4 (photos courtesy of RockLove)

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