Royal Adornments: A Gala from Harry Winston

As you can see from the photos above, each of the pieces in this collection represent the same styles as famous jewels worn by iconic monarchs across the globe. For example, the collection features a simple, yet refined yellow-diamond necklace to pay homage to the Duchess of Windsor, who was especially passionate about that color of diamond. It also showcases a sapphire neckpiece called the Princess Suite, which references an early design for a young royal princess Hary designed in 1977, while a set of rare pink and salmon conch pearls is reminiscent of Dame Elizabeth Taylor who wore the first iteration of this now-timeless design during her height of fame.

The most stunning thing about this collection, I think, is the way it highlights the spirit of refinement that has stayed with Harry Winston’s name for over 90 years—as well as the way it represents his relationship with members of the world’s leading royal dynasties. He did, after all, create adornments that are still prized by the legacies for which they were first made. In this way, the Royal Adornments collection “celebrates royal jewels of the past with sophisticated pieces for the present.” And truly, wearing each piece felt as if the jewelry in that moment became a part of me, and that I became royalty myself…which is I think exactly what Harry Winston would have wanted! 

            “If I could, I would attach the diamonds directly onto a woman’s skin.”

            – Harry Winston

As the event wound down, I took a ‘last’ look at some of my top favorites from the event before leaving, and made a few notes about what I love best about these designs. That way, I can keep my eye out for similar styles from previous Winston collections while I wait for Royal Adornments to officially be released. Back at home that evening, I was already deep into my closet, planning my outfit for the next night’s reveal gala. Knowing I needed a good night’s rest, I went to bed early, my thoughts sparkling with diamonds. 

The Getty Villa

Still buzzing with the previous day’s extravaganza, I took my time getting ready the next evening knowing the night would be like no other. It’s not often I get the chance to show off some of my more daring pieces, and this would be the perfect event to do so (especially since there were rumors that a well-known celebrity artist would be performing at the event!). It almost goes without mentioning, too, that the Getty Villa has its own story of prestige that accents the luxury of Harry Winston quite well. Surrounded by a collection of over 1400 Greek, Roman, and Etruscan relics (of which there are a total of about 40K in storage or on rotation) dating all the way back to 6,500 BC, guests (myself included) could really get a sense for the timelessness of each of the pieces we’d seen the day before.

Seriously, if you ever have the chance to go, I really recommend making a day of the visit through all four massive gardens, with the Pacific Ocean only 100 yards from the Villa’s front door!

Did You Know: The man who funded the development and build of the Getty Villa Museum never got to visit the museum himself. Nevertheless, when he died the Museum inherited over 600 million from his estate to keep the museum open to the public!

As for what I was wearing… 

…you should have seen the look on my husband’s face when I walked out in full regalia, donning a gorgeous, floating pink number straight out of the latest fantasy novel. I am so honored to own this dress, as it was hand-made by the wonderful Le Q’ua Atelier, and is absolutely one of a kind! I also decided to splurge and had my hair and makeup done professionally for the night, thanks to Beauty by Michel Lev. I swear, I was so done up in splendor I barely recognized myself!

Still, the effect was awesome when I walked into the event and saw so many other gorgeous attendees in their own special styles. I could tell everyone had put such special effort into looking their best, and I made sure they knew it, sharing compliments with each other during cocktail hour as we enjoyed the soft sounds of 25 violinists playing all around in the Villa courtyard by the pool. I stopped at one moment, listening to the different sounds of conversation and laughter reflected along the stone columns and pools, and remember feeling – as I always do when life is full of pleasure – just how lucky I am to be able to experience such riches. 

Soon enough, all of us were escorted inside to our tables, where our menus awaited embossed with our own names at the top. It was quite the experience to enjoy such fabulous food all done up in my celebrity best, yet it felt like the menu absolutely called for such a fancy occasion and atmosphere. 

There was a little gem salad to start and the choice of Pacific halibut with lobster brandade or braised Wagyu beef cheeks with wild mushrooms and pearl onions, all capped off with a themed dessert called “Jewelry Box”, which included everything good about dessert, including chocolate, hazelnut, praline, and cherry! The band played softly as conversation mingled with the clinking of cutlery, and I shared some great exchanges with the other guests at my table, who were just as keen as I was to learn who would be performing as our special guest.

As the dessert course came to an end (I swear, some of the guests were holding back from licking their plates clean, it was so good!), we were happily surprised to find out that the celebrity performer was Gwen Stefani!

Gwen Stefani!

I couldn’t believe that it was possible to be even more dizzy, but listening to her sing (while she was wearing my favorite pattern, polka dots, wouldn’t you believe it!) absolutely sent me over the edge. This is a woman I’ve known to challenge every stereotype there is about femininity, who shows with everything she does how it’s possible to be both graceful and edgy, punk and pretty. I assure you my heart was beating so fast in awe at being so close to her; plus it was such a small crowd, it truly felt as if the concert were a gift from her directly to us. If you’re reading Gwen, thank you SO much for sharing your voice and expression! I won’t forget it.

Eventually, after the concert, the evening winding down, my guests and I made our way slowly out past the grand entrance, the pools, the gardens, and back to our cars, waving goodbye until next time. Still floating in my pink dress, I truly feel I know just how Cinderella must have felt leaving the ball she didn’t want to leave…the evening seemed so out of this world, it was like a fairytale come true. It was like being transported to a magical setting where anything is possible, and I didn’t want it to end.

Home Again, Thinking of Harry

Well, all good things must end, and that evening did. Still, it’s been a few weeks since the gala and big reveal, and I am still in a daze remembering that evening. I am also just so so happy I can share my wonderful night with you, too!

In closing, then, I want to acknowledge that it’s truly a privilege that I’m healthy enough to say yes to these events, and RSVP without total fear of relapse due to chronic Lyme. Each and every day I can go out into the world is a blessing, so when days come like those two days as a guest of Harry Winston, I want to hold on and never let go.

With that, here’s hoping we both have many more days of abundance ahead. I want for you all the extravagance you deserve, far beyond the extravagance I experienced in such a short time! So, as I’m still dreaming of Harry Winston’s designs and diamonds, I hope you are dreaming of (and getting your own) diamonds, too!

Sending all my love, until next time,

Lena