Harry Winston

HARRY WINSTON SHANGHAI PAVILION

 “Harry Winston was the first international luxury brand to showcase in the Forbidden City in Beijing in 1996 -- since then we have long recognized the unique opportunity that China has represented for the Brand.  With the opening of our groundbreaking Shanghai Pavilion, we are thrilled to celebrate yet another important milestone for Harry Winston in China.  Working with William Sofield, we have brought to life a stunning space that not only speaks to the rich heritage of the brand, but also provides a glimpse into the tireless spirit of creativity and innovation that defines our future.” – Frederic de Narp, President and CEO of Harry Winston, Inc. 

Inspiration
 
Known as the “King of Diamonds,” our founder Mr. Harry Winston spent his lifetime surrounded by the most brilliant and famous diamonds in the world.  Purchasing large stones as rough, he would work with his teams of cutters, polishers, designers, and craftsman, to transform each diamond into a magnificently beautiful jewel to be loved by his clients across generations.
It is this same timeless devotion to diamonds that informs the design of the new Harry Winston Shanghai Pavilion, developed in partnership with William Sofield and Studio Sofield, Inc., the award winning design firm based in New York.
“Poised between the soaring curtain walls of modern Shanghai’s skyscrapers and the intimate lanes of the historic Xintiand,i the new flagship occupies both literally and figuratively the space between new and old. I chose an oval form, interrupted only by a single Shikumen inspired gate which marks the entrance. The abstract nature of the building form creates an experience that is both intimate and monumental.”  – William Sofield

Setting a Diamond in Xintiandi

Located in Shanghai’s prestigious Xintiandi district, the freestanding salon represents Harry Winston’s first retail Pavilion in the world and provides a 360-degree view of the new, groundbreaking design.  The Pavilion’s grand exterior combines references to Harry Winston’s historic architectural elements with traditional Shanghai architecture.  Like a brilliant diamond window, a wall of faceted misted-gold glass wraps around the Pavilion providing glimpses of the magnificent collections displayed inside.  As Sofield further explains, “Glowing walls of glass églomisé fold in such a manner as to recall at once the traditional folding screen and the very manner in which a raw gem is cut to reveal its inner beauty.”   Reinterpreting Shanghai’s historic Shikumen (“stone gate”) style, the front of the Pavilion is defined by a carved-out stone breezeway and stone entrance gate that leads guests inside to a magnificent two-storey atrium.

 The Brilliant Facets of Harry Winston

The interior layout is organized around a soaring two-story atrium that welcomes guests into the stunning world of Harry Winston.  A faceted glass skylight and custom tiered drop chandelier illuminate the space with a softer, natural light.  A charcoal grey and white starburst marble floor and antique Maison Jansen accents recall Harry Winston’s historic Fifth Avenue headquarters (designed by Jansen in 1960).

The atrium serves as the heart of the layout, around which all product areas are arranged.  Created for the Shanghai Pavilion, the layout introduces new dedicated areas for different Harry Winston collections.  Within each space a unique palette of colors and materials evoke the spirit and sensibility of the particular collections on display.  On the main floor, Winston’s iconic emerald-cut diamond shaped vitrines dazzle with signature Jewelry Collections, such as Sunflower, Cluster, and Loop, along with the newly developed Bridal Bar and Timepiece Salon, while High Jewelry occupies the upper gallery.  
Introduced for the Shanghai Pavilion, the Timepiece salon is the first time Harry Winston has introduced a designated watch gallery within its own salon.  Watches will be displayed in majestic armoires, a  custom-designed counter inspired by a traditional watch maker bench.  A palette of deep greys, smoke grey mirrors, and rich club chairs capture the sophistication of Harry Winston design, while LED screens displaying behind-the-scenes footage of watch development underscore their innovative edge.   

Chic black and white defines the newly designed Bridal Bar.  Custom-designed counters allow clients to view Harry Winston’s exquisite collection of diamond engagement rings and wedding bands either standing or seated at beautiful ivory silk upholstered stools.  Romantic details such as hand-embroidered pearl and crystal screens, elegant ivory silks and rich black velvets enhance the warm, convivial atmosphere.

Setting the stage for the ultimate in glamour, a grand staircase leads clients to the upper floor where Harry Winston’s High Jewelry collections are displayed in custom bronze vitrines lined with signature Winston Blue silk interiors and antique mirror accents.  Black-lacquer double doors lead into the Private Selling rooms, where smoked mirrors and tall, prismatic angular ceilings create an intimate and inviting space for the ultimate in exclusivity. 

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