Celebrity Interview
Twilight star Nikki Reed on her new jewelry line and vegan-friendly Hibiscus
Pretty young Twilight star Nikki Reed (a.k.a. Rosalie Hale) isn't counting on the vampire saga to define her career path. The 25-year-old, award-winning actress and screenwriter has design in her blood — her great grandmother was a jewelry designer — and she launched Mattlin Era jewels last fall.
She jumped on the opportunity to collaborate with 7 For All Mankind to create a five-piece capsule collection based on the idea of love and connectivity. During a VIP event at the denim line's NorthPark store last week, Reed chatted with fashionable fans eager to snap iPhone photos with the bubbly brunette.
We stole her away for a bit to learn more about her line. In the process, we discovered a surprising bit about a popular Dallas restaurant.
Culture Map: Is this your first visit to Dallas?
Nikki Reed: No, but unfortunately every time I stop in Dallas, I'm working. Last night I went to a really great restaurant, Hibiscus. It was vegan-friendly, which is awesome for me. I haven't had any extended period of time to explore the city.
CM: How did the collaboration with 7 For All Mankind come about?
NR: It was very organic; it was not planned at all. I was co-hosting a dinner with them for the Step-Up Women's Network. Someone from 7FAM approached me about one of the pieces I had on from my previous collection, which I designed for my mother.
I design everything myself, which is rare for someone in entertainment, and they liked my enthusiasm. I did all of my own sketches, and someone helped me draw it to scale for the manufacturer to make the molds. It's been a wonderful experience.
CM: Do you have a favorite piece, and does it reflect your personal style?
NR: Right now I like the Starry Knight necklace. I don't have anything else like this in my own jewelry closet. Because I'm doing a lot of music with my husband [musician Paul McDonald] — it's kind of folky/country — we wear a lot of denim together, and I didn't have any necklaces to wear with a buttoned-up denim shirt [which the star was sporting at the event]. So I came up with this design to layer underneath the collar. It felt unique yet subtle.
CM: You've been busy. What's next?
NR: I'm going back home [Los Angeles] to start shooting a film in just a few days — Murder of a Cat. Sami Raimi is producing. It's with Greg Kinnear, Blythe Danner and Fran Kranz — who is the funniest guy on the planet.
I get in at 2 am and go straight to rehearsals. I produced a movie, Snap, that went to SXSW this year, and my husband and I sang at the festival. So I'm doing a lot of writing and writing music while I continue to design jewelry.
Hopefully other forms of design and expression will come in the future. I would also love to direct someday, so we'll see.
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Shop the full collection of baubles ($48-$84) designed by Reed at 7 For All Mankind at NorthPark Center or the 7 For All Mankind website.

Rendering of The Zodiac Room entrance at NorthPark.Rendering courtesy of Neiman Marcus and Arcadis Inc.
Rendering of The Zodiac Room at NorthPark.Rendering courtesy of Neiman Marcus and Arcadis Inc.
Neiman Marcus NorthPark Bridal Salon rendering.Rendering courtesy of Neiman Marcus and Arcadis Inc.
Santa's ready to visit with kiddies at Neiman Marcus NorthPark.Photo courtesy of Neiman Marcus