Simply Abu Dhabi Magazine XVI

T he name Harry Winston is more than a brand – it is an iconic part of history. From the legend of the Hope Diamond, to the star power of the Oscars, to the museum-worthy gems – the story of the House and its legendary diamonds is one of regal elegance, red carpet glamour, philanthropic endeavour – and even an intriguing bit of mystery. Above all else, Harry Winston turned diamonds into art – and for generations, his name has evoked the ultimate in high-end luxury and unsurpassed style, setting the standard for the most exquisite and alluring diamond jewellery ever created. The illustrious history of Harry Winston began in New York City in 1932, when a man with a passion for diamonds and an innate ability to enhance their beauty opened his namesake brand. As a youth, he was introduced to the fascinating world of jewellery in the small shop owned by his father, and quickly demonstrated a rare aptitude for intuitively understanding the quality and potential of precious gems. Remarkably, when he was just 12 years old, he identified a 2-carat emerald in a tray of costume jewellery at a pawnshop. He bought it for 25 cents and sold it two days later for $800. The young man clearly had a special gift, a gift that some would later call a sixth sense for unlocking the ultimate power of precious jewels. Indeed, Harry Winston went on to become known as the “King of Diamonds” and “Jeweller to the Stars.” In 1944, his was the first brand to adorn a Hollywood actress for the Academy Awards, when Best Actress Winner Jennifer Jones created a red carpet sensation in glittering Winston diamonds. As the luminous diamonds caught the light from the flashing cameras, it created such a spectacular display of radiance that the Harry Winston jewels were as talked about as the Oscars themselves. That night began a tradition that redefined Hollywood style and glamour – a tradition Harry Winston remains an integral part of to this day. What set Mr. Winston apart was his pioneering philosophy that the gemstones themselves, rather than the metal settings, should dictate design. Early in his career, Winston made a name for himself by purchasing entire jewellery collections from the most prominent estates, and removing the stones from their out-dated settings. With his innate ability to highlight the natural power of diamonds, he re-cut and re-set them into more contemporary styles. This approach helped to revolutionize modern-day fine jewellery as we now know it, and remains the cornerstone of the timeless aesthetic that inspires all Winston designs. It is said that one winter night in 1940, Mr. Winston was inspired by the way the fresh snowfall glistened on the holly wreath that