Alex in Chains: Evan Yurman on Adornment

Evan Yurman. Image courtesy of Jeffrey Prehn.

Late last year, GQ writer Ren McKnight interviewed Evan Yurman, son of David Yurman, and asked him about his "ten essentials"--that is, the products, places, experiences, and general miscellany he cannot live without. Yurman, who now oversees development of the David Yurman men's line, had this to say about men, jewelry, and the anthropology of adornment:

A lot of men want more from their jewelry. They might not be okay with a standard band ring—they want to relate to it in some way. The history of adornment started with man—man killed animal, took a tooth, strung it on his neck. That was the first piece. And then you fast-forward to the Middle Ages when the men adorned themselves with incredible amounts of jewelry—rings on each finger, 100 inches of gold chain around their necks. King Henry was definitely the first Mr. T. I just encourage adornment, you know? Even just a little thread, whether it's mine or somebody else's, I encourage it.

Oh, and in case you are wondering about EY's ten essentials, they include a digital camera, a souped-up motorcycle, spring water, traveling, and a classic car. (Yeah, I know; the list is unremarkable, but hey, I love the quotation.)