In 1953, Marilyn Monroe sang the lyrics «Talk to me, Harry Winston, tell me all about it.» An iconic phrase for an iconic man. Harry Winston, nicknamed the «King of Diamonds» and the «Jeweler to the Stars,» founded Harry Winston Inc. in 1932 and never looked back.
Harry Winston on the red carpet
With the rise of Hollywood in the 1930s and 1940s, the term «movie star» began to gain traction. Winston took notice of the lavish lifestyles of movie stars—or at least the ones portrayed on the red carpet and in their films. He became the first jeweler to lend diamonds and jewelry to stars for the Oscars and other red-carpet events.
Harry Winston jewelry made its first red-carpet appearance at the 1944 Academy Awards, where Jennifer Jones wore Harry Winston diamonds. Rumor has it that they brought her good luck, as she won her first Oscar that evening.
One of the most memorable outfits ever seen on the red carpet was worn and owned by the woman we might call The Diamond Queen, Elizabeth Taylor. At the 1970 Academy Awards, Taylor dazzled the audience with the Taylor-Burton Diamond, a 69.42-carat diamond cut by Harry Winston and, of course, named in honor of Taylor and her then-husband, Burton.
Harry Winston continues to lend its creations to Hollywood’s royalty and to design pieces for actual royal families. Although some of these creations are far beyond the reach of most people—including Hollywood stars themselves. These diamonds and designs are true works of art, and lending them out allows far more people than just the keepers of the vaults to admire their beauty and craftsmanship.
The Diamond Cluster
Fascinated by the way light reflected off the clusters of frost on a holly wreath during the holidays, Winston created a relief design that showcases a variety of diamond sizes. What makes this design so remarkable is its great versatility. It can be used for necklaces, earrings, rings, and even brooches—which, by the way, are making a big comeback this year. This particular design is one of the most recognizable, both on the red carpet and in the movies.
The Isadora Necklace
At the height of the romantic comedy craze in the 2000s, Harry Winston loaned a magnificent piece to the film How to Get Dumped in 10 Lessons. Kate Hudson's character, Andy, swaps her Knicks sweater for an evening gown and attends an event where her standout accessory is the necklace Isadora. The 84-carat yellow diamond is an original creation by Harry Winston, named in honor of the legendary dancer Isadora Duncan. The necklace Isadora was undoubtedly under greater security than the film's actors, with a dedicated security team and an armored vehicle. A precaution that might have been necessary if Andy had actually left that night with Isadora around her neck, but the necklace was returned to the Harry Winston collection at the end of filming.
Harry Winston founded an American jewelry house renowned for its iconic designs, expertise, and impressive collection of rare diamonds. To this day, the house remains one of the most coveted and frequently seen on Hollywood’s red carpets.
