In a time when those still employed define themselves by their work, the quickest way to introduce Waris Ahluwalia would be to call him a jeweler. But try to pigeonhole him that way and he’ll gently correct: "I’m a storyteller."
The New York-based jeweler, storyteller, actor, filmmaker and world traveler was here filming one of his stories over the weekend for the Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts, which includes the Royal Hawaiian Hotel.
The five-minute film, which will appear on the company’s website, will take armchair travelers on a whirlwind cross-country journey from wintry Vermont to the desert of Arizona and a finale in lush Hawaii.
As to what kind of story he’s producing, he said, "It’s always a love story with me. It’s what I do when I’m creating jewelry."
Love is the root of all stories, he believes.
"Love is what drives us all, whether it’s love of nature, love of family, love of life or money. Ultimately it comes down to what you love."
He couldn’t have picked a better director to work with than Luca Guadagnino, who directed the Golden Globe-nominated film "I Am Love," which screened here as part of the 2010 HIFF Spring Showcase.
The film starred Tilda Swinton as the matriarch of a powerful Milanese family who falls in love with a younger man, with tragic results.
Ahluwalia also appeared in the film, and Swinton helped conceive the Luxury Collection project.
In casting their current silent-film project, Ahluwalia said they looked at several actresses before he received an email from Guadagnino containing model Agyness Deyn’s photo and a message saying, "This is our lady!!!"
Deyn is well known in the international fashion community as a runway darling and has been the face of campaigns for brands ranging from Anna Sui to Vivienne Westwood. She also has been featured in campaigns for fragrances by Burberry, Jean Paul Gaulthier and Shiseido, where she replaced Angelina Jolie.
Guadagnino didn’t know her, but Ahluwalia was pleased to see the photo of his friend.
"I like to be really comfortable when I travel, not only with nice rooms and nice pillows, but with vibes and the people I surround myself with. This whole project is about friends, traveling with friends and working with friends," he said.
With Alfred Hitchcock as their inspiration, Deyn will portray a woman who is guided on the journey by a mysterious lover who is never seen. Her trip takes her from the Equinox hotel in Vermont to the sun-soaked Phoenician in Arizona, and across the Pacific to the Pink Palace.
Deyn, who is making the transition from modeling to film, appeared as Aphrodite in last year’s "Clash of the Titans" remake and recently finished shooting a remake of Danish director Nicolas Winding Refn’s gritty crime film "Pusher."
She said of the Luxury Collection film, "I’m really excited about this project. I’ve known Waris from New York and love Luca’s work. I knew it would be really fun to work with them, and I’m flattered to be able to do it."
Ahluwalia picked all of the destinations. He deems Hawaii "an important part of the American landscape" and said he fell in love on Kauai the last time he was here. He chose palm trees as the inspiration for his newest jewelry line.
Shooting is scheduled to end Tuesday in Vermont. A premiere date for the film has not been announced.
Visit Nadine Kam’s "Fashion Tribe" blog for more photos of the filming and a peek at Agyness Deyn’s wardrobe.
