To commemorate the evening  and continuing its longstanding commitment to philanthropy, Harry Winston unveiled 11 unique models from its new Midnight collection, designed to support the Bokra Project. Each timepiece will feature the engraved signature of leading talents. The four ladies’ Harry Winston Midnight 39mm watches in diamond-set rose gold are signed by singers Latifa  and Waed, and actresses Yosra and Hend Sabry; while the Harry Winston Midnight Big Date models, also in rose gold, bear the names of Quincy Jones and of the singers Kadim Al Sahir, Saber El Rebai, Marwan Khoury, Tamer, Hosny, Fayez Al Saeed and Emirati social entrepreneur Badr Jafar. The total amount raised from the sale of these models will be entirely donated to the Bokra Project. These 11 one-of-a-kind timepieces will be displayed in the Harry Winston Salon at the Emirates Towers in February 2012.

 

The red carpet World Premiere event for the Bokra Charity song was held at the One & Only, The Palm, in Dubai. At the highly significant moment of exactly 11:11 pm on November 11th 2011, the music video was beamed around the world via a global simulcast, with YouTube providing an exclusive premiere of the video on-line.

 

This glittering occasion was attended by royalties, distinguished guests, artists and celebrities. Many of them were wearing Harry Winston creations such as the Harry Winston Midnight Big Date worn by Badr Jafar, as well as an exceptional Harry Winston jewelry collection worn by Actress Yosra and Singer Latifa. Commenting on the event, Harry Winston President and CEO, Frédéric De Narp stated: “Harry Winston is delighted to be involved in such a noble cause and to share in Quincy Jones’ vision of philanthropy making a difference”. 

 

The song itself, an Arabic version of Tomorrow (A Better You, A Better Me), Jones’ famous anthem of peace, hope and unity, is intended to “serve as a beacon of solidarity and hope for the region”. It was recorded by the Global Gumbo Group, established earlier this year as a joint venture between Quincy Jones and Badr Jafar. The group’s mission is to develop multi-media opportunities across all entertainment platforms in the Middle East and North Africa, and to foster bridge-building and exchanges between these regions and the West.

 

Tomorrow/Bokra features a number of leading artists from the Middle East and North Africa region 

including Majida El Roumi, who wrote the Arabic lyrics, Kadim Al Sahir who worked on the music readaptation, Saber El Rebai, Tamer Hosni, Marwan Khoury, Shereen Abdul Wahab  and many others. The music video was  directed by Syrian-American Director Malek Akkad and the  song was produced by Quincy Jones and  Moroccan born RedOne (Grammy award winning producer). This auspicious undertaking is designed to provide an example of mutual respect for contemporary youth and to encourage them to come together as one voice through music, the ultimate universal language. 

 

Inspired by Quincy Jones’ original “We are the World” charity production, which was reprised in 2010 on behalf of the Haiti earthquake, the Tomorrow/Bokra project aims to achieve the same level of awareness and raise funds to help the next generation of children across the Arab world. All proceeds including sales and profits will benefit children of the region through education of music, arts and culture.