Fashion Influential #28: Harry Winston
Actress Zooey Deschanel attends the Harry Winston Gala reception of the new Beverly Hills Rodeo Drive store honoring the Motion Picture and Television Fund on January 11, 2006, in Beverly Hills California (Getty Images)more pics » HARRY WINSTON
Born:
March 1, 1896 in New York, New York
Died:
December 8, 1978 in New York, New York.
Famous diamonds:
The Hope, The Jonker, Porter Rhodes, The Crown of Charlemagne
Fans:
Jennifer Love Hewitt, Halle Berry, Hillary Swank, Zhang Ziyi, Sarah Jessica Parker Beginnings.
Harry Winston's father Jacob started a small jewelry business after he and Harry's mother immigrated to the United States from the Ukraine, so Harry had an in right from the start. He worked in his father's shop growing up, and legend has it that when he was just 12 years old, he recognized a two-carat emerald in a pawn shop, bought it for 25 cents, and sold it two days later for $800.
Career Highs.
In 1925, Winston bought the entire jewelry collection of the heiress, Mrs. Rebecca Darlington Stoddard for a million dollars. A year later, he acquired the collection that had belonged to Arabella Huntington. Finally, in 1930, he bought the Baldwin collection, and media attention started to focus on Harry Winston. He reset the stones of these collections in more updated, modern settings, and his reputation for his designs and acquisitions skyrocketed.
People will stare. Make it worth their while.
- Harry Winston
A portrait of Harry Winston.Career Lows.
When he was only 19, Winston opened his Premier Diamond Company with the $2,000 that he had. After two years, the company had grown to a value of around $30,000, but the good will didn't last for long. One of his employees ran off with his cash and stocks, and Winston was left bankrupt.
Legacy.
Photos from any red carpet will be littered with remnants of Harry Winston. Even after his death, his company remains the jeweler of the stars, with Hollywood leading ladies like Anne Hathaway, Mena Suvari and Jennifer Lopez sporting his creations on loan for various events. His high-quality but simplistic designs have inspired less expensive jewelry that is available to the masses.
Anne Hathaway in Harry Winston diamond earrings.Get the Look.
Getting the real look will come at a high price - entry-level costs for a Harry Winston diamond engagement ring start at about $15,000. For designs that are inspired by Winston's collection, try choosing simple, modern minimalist settings with quality rocks like diamonds and emeralds. For red carpet glamour, opt for chandelier earrings with an updo.
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