Big Bling Comes to Houston

There is no press release. And there won’t be. But the signage is up. Two days before Houston’s luxe new shopping center River Oaks District is set to open, a walking tour reveals the newest retailer: Harry Winston. Yes, the joaillier who famously courted some of the world’s wealthiest clientele (the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Aristotle Onassis, and Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor were patrons) is bringing its diamonds to Houston. As Harry Winston opened in Dallas in 2006, some would say it’s high time. Though Houston is in many respects more discreet than Dallas, there is no shortage of diamonds here.

Some of Winston’s most notorious acquisitions have included the 726-carat Jonker Diamond and the 69.42-carat Taylor-Burton Diamond. And, of course, who can forget the infamous blue Hope Diamond? It’s been said that Winston owned more of the world’s most famous stones than any other individual, government or royal house. Now his spirit and namesake brand lives on through the Winston high-visibility celebrity clientele, such as Jennifer Lopez and Gwyneth Paltrow, who flaunt the baubles regularly on the red carpet.

Facing the Brunello Cucinelli store and adjacent to Canali, the boutique will be in the same building as Hermès. The space is raw — not much to see yet. But, make no mistake, the shine is already on, even without lights.