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| Robin Thicke performs at the Harry Winston Opus 14 unveiling in Baden-Baden |
Harry Winston is known for placing its high jewelry on some of the world’s biggest and most beautiful stars of the 20th and 21th Centuries. However, in its 83-year history the luxury jewelry and watch brand has never had an official spokesperson.
This changed Tuesday when the brand used the unveiling of the Opus 14 in Baden-Baden, Germany, to announce that recording artist Robin Thicke is the new brand ambassador for Harry Winston timepieces.
Thicke appeared on stage following the Opus 14 presentation and later in the evening to perform many of his hit songs accompanied by dancers during the 1950s themed event. After the event ended he stayed around talking and taking photos with several of the invited guests.
Thicke becomes the first ambassador for the New York City-based brand, which was acquired by the Swatch Group in 2013.
At a press conference the following day, Nayla Hayek, CEO of Harry Winston, said there was never any search for a brand ambassador. She met Thicke in Cannes and thought he’d be good for the brand, adding that it will be a long-term commitment and wasn’t just supporting the Opus timepiece.
“He’s not the ambassador of Opus,” she said. “He is the ambassador of Harry Winston watches.”
Thicke is one of the world’s best-known singer, songwriter and producers today, and has worked with several prominent artists, including Christina Aguilera, Nicki Minaj, Pharrell Williams, Usher, Jennifer Hudson and Mary J. Blige. He rose to worldwide fame in 2013 for his hit single "Blurred Lines.”
It is also that song that placed Thicke and Pharrell Williams on the losing end of a $7.4 million copyright infringement case (later reduced to $5.3 million) brought against them by Marvin Gaye’s family. The case is under appeal. He also had a messy public divorce with his former wife Paula Patton.
Hayek is seemingly undeterred with these issues, saying that Thicke has already been “very positive to the brand and a very professional ambassador for the brand.”
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