Interesting link: Leon Mege vs Harry "Camel" Winston...?

[Trekkie]

Excerpt from:

http://www.micropave.com/index.php/engagement/adrianna-with-2-07-g-vs2-cushion.html

This is a better version of well known design made popular by a barrage of ads by a well known diamond retailer. You can buy one at Harry "Camel" Winston or have this nicer version to adore your finger.

 

[mrscushion]

He should clearly not be writing his own copy.

 

[chemgirl]

Yeah....

He clearly needs somebody to read over his descriptions to make sure the content, spelling, and grammar are appropriate and professional.

 

[Trekkie]

Shocking, isn't it?

I read a while ago that he was quite mean to a woman who wanted him to design a "maul store" type ring, but I never would have thought he'd be this rude about his Harry Winston knock off.

Personally, I've drooled over the original and his version and I would quite happily have either!

 

[Amethyste]

Wow... I cannot stand this man's arrogance. Eventually, it will all come back and bite you in the arse!

 

[Lula]

I think he believes that the ladies love a "bad boy" -- and judging by how many women flock to him, despite his reputation for being difficult, he might be on to something!

 

[y2kitty]

I agree he can be arrogant but can someone explain to me why this is offensive? I am not being facetious, I really don't know. I thought this was a joke poking fun at Harry Winston with some anti-smoking rhetoric thrown in (Winston-Salem, NC being the home of RJ Reynolds and the Camel cigarette).

 

[Lula]

I agree he can be arrogant but can someone explain to me why this is offensive? I am not being facetious, I really don't know. I thought this was a joke poking fun at Harry Winston with some anti-smoking rhetoric thrown in (Winston-Salem, NC being the home of RJ Reynolds and the Camel cigarette).

When I worked in retailing during my undergraduate days, my -- very wise -- manager taught me that it was inappropriate and rude to insult another store's sales staff or merchandise. Even if a customer came in with a complaint about another store, we were taught to smile and nod, but never, ever say anything derogatory ourselves. Leon breaks that rule over and over, and it's off-putting to some people.

 

[FuturePsyD]

Ugh. Well, that is his opinion. INCORRECT, IMO, but his opinion.

If his creation is so much better, why the need to make to make such obnoxious comments? It's one thing to be confident in your talent and ability to create beautiful jewelry, but true quality speaks for itself.

 

[LaurenThePartier]

I think he believes that the ladies love a "bad boy" -- and judging by how many women flock to him, despite his reputation for being difficult, he might be on to something!

I think you are totally on to something, Lula. I myself have pondered this again and again. The "handsome" bad boy Leon seems to be a study in the art of being a successful pick-up artist. Ignore them just enough, belittle them just enough, and they'll come flocking to you.

 

[Lula]

I think he believes that the ladies love a "bad boy" -- and judging by how many women flock to him, despite his reputation for being difficult, he might be on to something!

I think you are totally on to something, Lula. I myself have pondered this again and again. The "handsome" bad boy Leon seems to be a study in the art of being a successful pick-up artist. Ignore them just enough, belittle them just enough, and they'll come flocking to you.

Yes, LTP, he does come off as a pick-up artist! Reminds me of high school, and not in a good way -- ha-ha.

 

[Selkie]

I agree he can be arrogant but can someone explain to me why this is offensive? I am not being facetious, I really don't know. I thought this was a joke poking fun at Harry Winston with some anti-smoking rhetoric thrown in (Winston-Salem, NC being the home of RJ Reynolds and the Camel cigarette).

When I worked in retailing during my undergraduate days, my -- very wise -- manager taught me that it was inappropriate and rude to insult another store's sales staff or merchandise. Even if a customer came in with a complaint about another store, we were taught to smile and nod, but never, ever say anything derogatory ourselves. Leon breaks that rule over and over, and it's off-putting to some people.

I understand why this is insulting, but like herekittykitty I don't understand the "Camel" reference-I think that's what she's asking. What's that all about? Is it a reference to the "barrage" of advertising, like that done by the cigarette companies?

 

[kittybean]

Ew. The evidence in support of never going with Leon for any project continues to accumulate.

 

[Lula]

I agree he can be arrogant but can someone explain to me why this is offensive? I am not being facetious, I really don't know. I thought this was a joke poking fun at Harry Winston with some anti-smoking rhetoric thrown in (Winston-Salem, NC being the home of RJ Reynolds and the Camel cigarette).

When I worked in retailing during my undergraduate days, my -- very wise -- manager taught me that it was inappropriate and rude to insult another store's sales staff or merchandise. Even if a customer came in with a complaint about another store, we were taught to smile and nod, but never, ever say anything derogatory ourselves. Leon breaks that rule over and over, and it's off-putting to some people.

I understand why this is insulting, but like herekittykitty I don't understand the "Camel" reference-I think that's what she's asking. What's that all about? Is it a reference to the "barrage" of advertising, like that done by the cigarette companies?

When I read it, I thought he was poking fun at the "Winston" name by associating it with a brand of cigarettes made by R.J. Reynolds (in Winston-Salem). It's a weird, not-very-clear joke, and he's maybe trying to make the point that the Harry Winston setting is somehow down market or mass market? Not clear, but definitely a dig. Rude. Immature.

 

[Italiahaircolor]

Here's what I don't get...LM is pretty talented so why not let that talent speak for itself? Why the need to put others down or slam other brands? It devalues him as a designer, IMO.

I've been unimpressed by his attitude for a long time now...but this just like the cherry on top. He's not a bad-boy...he's a bad salesman.

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

Leon who?

cheers--Sharon

 

[Irishgrrrl]

HI:

Leon who?

cheers--Sharon

Sharon, as usual, you rock!

 

[Kaleigh]

He told me he got his start by working for Harry Winston, making their settings... So this is like biting the hand that feeds you, or biting the hand that helped you be where you are today. Yes could be a play on words, but I see right through it... He told me so about how he got his start in the business.

Doesn't matter what I think of him. I still like the ring he made for me, even though he wasn't enthusiastic about it. Cest la vie.. Or is my french really bad, LOL...

 

[Imdanny]

Excerpt from:

http://www.micropave.com/index.php/engagement/adrianna-with-2-07-g-vs2-cushion.html

This is a better version of well known design made popular by a barrage of ads by a well known diamond retailer. You can buy one at Harry "Camel" Winston or have this nicer version to adore your finger.

What does this mean?

 

[Imdanny]

I agree he can be arrogant but can someone explain to me why this is offensive? I am not being facetious, I really don't know. I thought this was a joke poking fun at Harry Winston with some anti-smoking rhetoric thrown in (Winston-Salem, NC being the home of RJ Reynolds and the Camel cigarette).

When I worked in retailing during my undergraduate days, my -- very wise -- manager taught me that it was inappropriate and rude to insult another store's sales staff or merchandise. Even if a customer came in with a complaint about another store, we were taught to smile and nod, but never, ever say anything derogatory ourselves. Leon breaks that rule over and over, and it's off-putting to some people.

I understand why this is insulting, but like herekittykitty I don't understand the "Camel" reference-I think that's what she's asking. What's that all about? Is it a reference to the "barrage" of advertising, like that done by the cigarette companies?

When I read it, I thought he was poking fun at the "Winston" name by associating it with a brand of cigarettes made by R.J. Reynolds (in Winston-Salem). It's a weird, not-very-clear joke, and he's maybe trying to make the point that the Harry Winston setting is somehow down market or mass market? Not clear, but definitely a dig. Rude. Immature.

Ok, maybe this. I'm sorry but the man's an idiot. Go to Harry Winston's website and look at rings, even today, and tell me that any sentient person would think denigrating Harry Winston's quality by making obscure jokes about a cigarette company is funny. Asinine.

 

[y2kitty]

Harry Winston refers to himself as "Jeweler to the Stars" on his website so maybe its a knock a that??

 

[TravelingGal]

I think he believes that the ladies love a "bad boy" -- and judging by how many women flock to him, despite his reputation for being difficult, he might be on to something!

I think you are totally on to something, Lula. I myself have pondered this again and again. The "handsome" bad boy Leon seems to be a study in the art of being a successful pick-up artist. Ignore them just enough, belittle them just enough, and they'll come flocking to you.

I think this is silly. That's like saying maybe he's doing this to weed out the whiners and wussies.

He's...well, fill in the blank. I don't doubt he can be rude, and I don't doubt lots of PSers have had a bad experience with him. But don't discount that SOME people go to him because they like his work and call him to see what he's like firsthand. They find he's pleasant, professional and delivers on the product.

 

[Arkteia]

You know, here is another look at it. Harry "Camel" Winston sticks in memory, at least in mine, so inadvertently, he could have provided a free advertising for Harry Winston's products.

 

[Haven]

I don't "get" the joke, and if it is an allusion to cigarettes, well then I think it's just a very bad attempt at a joke.

As for women choosing to go with Leon Mege because they're attracted to the bad boy image, I don't buy that at all. I imagine most people who choose to commission a piece from Leon do so because they love the final product. It seems like a big leap to devalue his work by saying people only want it because of his persona.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Well, now that we see that Steven Kirsch can do as good or better work, perhaps we'll see some healthy competition here and less reliance on one person.

 

[Arkteia]

I don't "get" the joke, and if it is an allusion to cigarettes, well then I think it's just a very bad attempt at a joke.

As for women choosing to go with Leon Mege because they're attracted to the bad boy image, I don't buy that at all. I imagine most people who choose to commission a piece from Leon do so because they love the final product. It seems like a big leap to devalue his work by saying people only want it because of his persona.

Look, Haven, I have never been a smoker, nor did I purchase from Leon Mege because the prices they gave me were too high, but there may be many reasons why an image may stick in memory. In mine, a camel (even on a cigarette pack) always associates with Laurence of Arabia, and as such is a positive image. What I wanted to say was, not necessarily an association is negative, and it was not a joke at all.

Actually, the only reason I answer this, in my view, not very polite, comment is because of my deep respect to you and the profession you represent. Otherwise, I would shrug my shoulders and think, OK here is a person that is probably rather young and, as such, maximalistic.

 

[Cehrabehra]

in a word... hubris.

 

[Haven]

I don't "get" the joke, and if it is an allusion to cigarettes, well then I think it's just a very bad attempt at a joke.

As for women choosing to go with Leon Mege because they're attracted to the bad boy image, I don't buy that at all. I imagine most people who choose to commission a piece from Leon do so because they love the final product. It seems like a big leap to devalue his work by saying people only want it because of his persona.

Look, Haven, I have never been a smoker, nor did I purchase from Leon Mege because the prices they gave me were too high, but there may be many reasons why an image may stick in memory. In mine, a camel (even on a cigarette pack) always associates with Laurence of Arabia, and as such is a positive image. What I wanted to say was, not necessarily an association is negative, and it was not a joke at all.

Actually, the only reason I answer this, in my view, not very polite, comment is because of my deep respect to you and the profession you represent. Otherwise, I would shrug my shoulders and think, OK here is a person that is probably rather young and, as such, maximalistic.

Crasru--I don't understand what you found offensive in my comment? Would you please explain.

Perhaps I did a poor job explaining what I meant, which was:

- I don't even understand why Leon called Harry Winston "Harry 'Camel' Winston", which is something that other posters said as well, that they don't understand the reference. (So, I'm assuming *this* part wasn't offensive to you since you only responded to me.) Some posters suggested that he was trying to make a joke. SO, I wrote that if he was referring to Camel cigarettes and if he was trying to make a joke, I still don't understand it, and thus in my opinion, it was a bad joke because it didn't work. I'm not sure how that could be offensive to anyone, either, unless you're offended that I'm not intelligent enough to "get" the joke.

- Then, I responded to Lula's and LTP's assertions that women have Leon Mege design rings for them because they are attracted to his "bad boy" image. I wrote "I don't buy it at all" because, well, I don't believe that people commission Leon to make their rings because of his bad boy persona. If this assertion is what offended you, well I'm sorry but I have the right to disagree with others, and I really don't see what's offensive in my statement, anyway. AND, I wonder why you responded only to me, because now that I look back over the thread I could have just "dittoed" TGal, because she said basically the same thing that I was trying to say.

As for your explanation of images sticking in one's memory, I understand that. I'm a human being, and that happens to me, too. I didn't assert that Leon's reference was a joke, nor do I believe that all associations are negative, so you could have saved yourself the lecture, there. As for being maximalistic, either my understanding of that term is incorrect, or you severely misunderstood my response. There was nothing maximalistic in my response. In fact, I am naturally diplomatic and always opt for compromise when it's possible. Thus, I am very confused by your heated response to my post, and I believe that you must have misunderstood what I was trying to say.

 

[Haven]

*bump*

I just hope Crasru sees this because if I did offend her I'd like to know why so I can apologize.

 

[mrssalvo]

*bump*

I just hope Crasru sees this because if I did offend her I'd like to know why so I can apologize.

Haven, I was reading PS from my phone earlier and I didn't get why Crasru was offended by either. I don't like posting on PS from my phone and I was going to come back with a

anyway, I understood what you said and didn't think it was offensive at all. Hopefully Crasru will see this though so she knows your true intentions