Authentic Luxury

An Interview with Frédéric de Narp, President and Chief Executive Offi cer, Harry Winston, Inc.

EDITORS’ NOTE Frédéric de Narp How has your method for pro- have mapped out a clear strategy to develop our assumed his current post at ducing fi ne jewelry pieces evolved? global footprint, starting this year with the open- Harry Winston in January of Tradition is an important aspect of ing of a major fl agship salon in Shanghai, as well 2010. Before this, he served as our DNA and remains an integral part as new salons in Dubai and Russia, with more to the President and CEO of of our focus as we bring the company come. It is important to note that while we plan North America. He began his into the future. We continue to produce to expand, for Harry Winston, we are not look- career in luxury retail nearly our unique high jewelry pieces in our ing to be mass. Our goal remains to maintain the 20 years ago at Cartier in Japan workshop above the salon, exclusivity of the brand, while ensuring we are and worked in various posi- using the pioneering techniques that de- able to accommodate our new and existing clients tions with the company in Tokyo, fi ne our legacy of style. Our newest col- worldwide with the exceptional level of products Switzerland, and Italy, before lection, Lily Cluster by Harry Winston, and service that Harry Winston is known for. moving to New York in 2005 to evolves the iconic Winston Cluster for Has this role been what you expected oversee Cartier North America. Frédéric de Narp the next generation of fi ne jewelry cli- and are you enjoying it? ents. The idea was to create a unique To me there is no brand that comes close COMPANY BRIEF A specialist enter- and high quality collection for everyday wear. to Harry Winston in terms of quality, exclusivity, prise with assets in the mining and retail seg- With a starting price of $5,000, it is slightly more or authenticity; nor one more celebrated for its ments of the diamond industry, Harry Winston accessible for Harry Winston, but still matches our incredible heritage. Mr. Winston was a fearless Diamond Corporation (www.harrywinston.com) high standards for design and craftsmanship. pioneer with a rare talent to recognize only the supplies rough to the global mar- Harry Winston has been making an exceptional. This is embedded in our DNA. ket from the Diavik Diamond Mine, in which effort to make its salons less intimidating Throughout the company’s nearly 80-year history, it has a 40 percent ownership interest. Harry and more welcoming. How challenging has over a third of the largest and most famous gem- Winston, Inc., the company’s luxury arm, is a that been? stones on earth have at one time or another called premier diamond jeweler and luxury watch- When a client comes to Harry Winston, it Harry Winston home, which is unbelievable when maker with salons in key locations including is to celebrate a meaningful moment in their you think about it. But Mr. Winston recognized that New York, Paris, London, Beijing, Tokyo, and life. We have always relied on a very personal the power of these gems went well beyond their Beverly Hills. experience between sales executive and client monetary value. His generosity was as unique and working together to fi nd the perfect jewel. It is rare as the jewels he collected. In the late 1940s, Harry Winston is well known for exquisite important to us to visually replicate the warmth he created the Court of Jewels, where he toured jewelry, but how much of a focus has the of this experience in the overall look of our sa- his most famous gems around the U.S., to raise watch business been for you and what is lons. Last year, I asked Bill Sofi eld, a Cooper-Hewitt money for philanthropic causes. In 1958, in per- the range of that offering? National Design Award winner, to oversee the de- haps the industry’s greatest act of generosity, he Harry Winston is still a relatively new velopment of our new retail concept. Beginning donated the most famous diamond in the world, player in fine watch-making, having only with the façade, the salon is more transparent and the , to the Smithsonian, to share launched our fi rst timepiece in 1989. When you welcoming for clients. We streamlined the interior, his passion and curiosity for gems with people look at what has been achieved in such a short creating dedicated areas for timepieces, bridal, who could not otherwise afford them. This gift was time, it is a real testament to the level of fo- jewelry, and high jewelry. So a young couple in not only the start of the National Gem Collection cus we have applied to developing this area of search of a beautiful $6,000 engagement ring will for America, but the start of a commitment for the the business. Harry Winston has only produced feel comfortable in their surroundings while, in a company to focus on giving back at the highest 4,000 watches per year, although we have the private room, there may be a client viewing an ex- level. Last year, we launched the Harry Winston capacity to produce more. Our watches have ceptional $1.5 million necklace. The fi rst concept Hope Foundation, which commits a minimum of been predominately aimed at timepiece col- salon opened in Las Vegas in February and will 5 percent of the company’s pre-tax profi ts to sup- lectors and have been extremely exclusive or eventually be rolled out worldwide. We’re also in port educational causes around the world. It’s this limited edition series introduced at higher price the process of renovating our historic Fifth Avenue ability to think higher, and this legacy of aiming for points. While focusing on highly complicated fl agship, Winston’s corporate and creative head- only the exceptional that makes this job at Harry movements has helped us earn our place in quarters for many years. It will be a great moment Winston most exciting and fulfi lling for me. Before the fi eld, we are now expanding our selection when the restoration is complete. I joined the company, it was always clear to me to include watches for everyday wear. During The high awareness of the brand might that this brand had perhaps the greatest potential BaselWorld in March, we introduced the Harry suggest that you run a rather extensive op- for growth within the luxury industry. After a year Winston Midnight Collection, which has been eration, but that isn’t the case. What are and a half, I believe that even more so today; I a fantastic success. This series offers very el- your plans for expansion? constantly marvel at the incredible opportunities egant and refi ned timepieces for both men and We currently have 20 retail salons around the we have yet to pursue.• women, and will allow us to triple the number world, more than half of which are in the United of watches sold by Harry Winston during the States and Japan. So quite literally, there is a world Harry Winston Midnight Collection Watch (left); Lily Cluster next four years. of opportunity for Harry Winston right now. We (center); Harry Winston concept salon - Las Vegas (right) 168 LEADERS POSTED WITH PERMISSION. COPYRIGHT © 2011 LEADERS MAGAZINE, INC. VOLUME 34, NUMBER 4