The Not-So-Venetian Quatrefoil: The Deep History of the Central Motif of a David Yurman Collection

Image Credit: David Yurman and The Mama Report

So, yes, while David Yurman advertising copy claims that The Venetian Quatrefoil Collection was "inspired by the intricate patterns of Venice's unique stonework, and the harmony of form and structure that is the essence of the city's architecture," let's be real: At the heart of the collection is a singular, fairly ancient motif--the quatrefoil.

What is a quatrefoil, and what is its heritage, you ask? Roman Mars at 99% Invisible has an entire podcast episode devoted to answering those questions, but if you don't have seventeen minutes to invest at the moment in getting answers, here's the gist of it in five fast bullet points:

Review: The David Yurman Bubblegum Pinky Ring

Released to the public on September 2 but teased for weeks previous, the David Yurman Bubblegum Pinky Ring has been called many things. "Limited edition." "Scratch and sniff." "Entry level." "Brilliant." "Bizarre." Allow me now to add another voice--albeit this one very loud--to the cacophony of media buzz. Here is my full review, objective, unbiased, and (in a spirit of full disclosure) written after five days of wear.

Background

The David Yurman Bubblegum Pinky Ring is available in five varieties, each of a different color and fragrance. Yes, that's right. Fragrance. The rings feature inlays of scented resin set in 18K gold. The five flavors are cotton candy (blue set in yellow gold), grape (violet in yellow gold), bubblegum (pink in rose gold), licorice (black in yellow gold), and peppermint (white in rose gold, shown throughout this post). The rings are produced in sizes 3 to 5, are part of a "limited edition" collection (whatever that means), and retail for $875 apiece. They are being sold as Evan Yurman designs. (Remember, dear reader, that David Yurman's son, Evan, was named the company's Chief Design Director in 2013.)

The Aesthetic

No buried lead here: The rings are simple and stunning. A critique commonly lodged against David Yurman is that the company's designs are overwrought, over-designed, if you will. There is too much going on. Not so with the Bubblegum Pinky. It is sleek and straightforward, which is, in this case, a very much winning combination. Do not confuse sleek, simple, and straightforward with "safe," however. There is a definite boldness here--I mean, check out that chevron shank. It is just presented subtly.

The Wearability

The DY Bubblegum Pinky wears rather weightlessly, which is good news because, really, who wants the humble pinky finger pressed under the yoke of some unwieldy behemoth? No, the ring is incredibly light and, per usual with DY, boasts a "comfort-fit" interior, ensuring a snug but low-catch embrace of the digit. The care instructions that come with the ring warn against exposing it to acetone, hair spray, perfume, soap, hand washing, swimming pools, direct sunlight, and intense heat.

Chew on This: David Yurman Releasing Limited-Edition Bubblegum Pinky Rings (Updated)

Image Credit: @ellecanada (Instagram)

Yep, there have been rumblings for a while now, but I am happy to report details!
"I've got details, folks!" Yes, here's the 4-1-1--does anyone even say that anymore?--on the new limited-edition bubblegum pinky rings from David Yurman:

Style Watch: Mariah Carey Scintillates in David Yurman Earrings at 2015 Billboard Music Awards

OK, so the consensus seems to be that the award show itself was a bona fide hot mess. Performances were poorly shot and the event painfully MC'd. But speaking of MCs, another MC--Mariah Carey--was there, and at 46, the bombshell still slays the red carpet. In a Tom Ford dress and David Yurman high-jewelry earrings, Carey owned her timeless beauty.

Image Credit: cocoafab.com

The David Yurman F/W '15-16 Press Preview Roundup

This week David Yurman previewed its fall-winter '15-16 collections to select press at its corporate headquarters in New York City. Out of love for you, dear reader, I've gone ahead and done the tiresome, time-consuming work of combing through social media--and scanning every single post tagged "David Yurman"--to get you the scoop. Here's what I've been able to dig up thus far:

Coming soon are bow rings designed by Evan Yurman in honor of and tribute to his mother, Sybil

There are conflicting reports as to whether or not the pieces are designed for wear primarily on the pinky finger. What is clear, however, is that Evan designed the pieces for Sybil who, apparently, has always desired a bow ring. Previewed were rings with pave-set rubies and sapphires (see below). The price point is unknown at this time.

Image Credit: stylewriternyc (Instagram)

Image Credit: blackbookmag (Instagram)

DY Ay!

Friday's here and with it comes a(nother) typo on DavidYurman.com to add some levity, you know, just for good measure. Yes, our culture has already assimilated a "McSteamy" and Boeing's Dreamliner and so why not Streamiline? Take a look:

It's unclear at this point what the neologism "Streamiline" means. A line made or consisting of streams? Possibly. A cable design capable of supporting streaming video content? It's possible. A case of hurried typing being prematurely published? Likely. All the same, don't you think a call to David Yurman for clarification is in order? Yes, I think I'll reach out. "Hello, ma'am or sir. Connect me to the manager of your Streamiline Collection, please. ...Yes, that's right: I said 'Stream-ee-line.' Yes, I'll hold."

:) DYguy out.

Not Just for Justin Timberlake Anymore: Yurman Releases Lightning Men's Pieces to Public

Did you know David Yurman outfitted Justin Timberlake in all those haut accessories he donned on his 20/20 Experience World Tour last year? It's true, and I now enter this now-forty-three-week-old Instagram post as evidence:

Whoever snapped this clearly needs 
a lesson in visual staging.

The good news is, a mere ten months later, modified versions of the pieces designed exclusively for JT are now available to the public. Already in boutiques and slowly coming online are lightning bolt pieces from what appears to be a newly-christened Symbols Collection. 

Stay tuned for details on this collection--I'll have them as they emerge--but for now, take a gander at these two beauts presently being advertised on DavidYurman.com.

Exclusive: David Yurman's Limited-Edition Honeycomb Meteorite Men's Rings Rocket into Boutiques

I am not a hand model. I do not profess to being a hand model.

It brings me great pleasure to report that David Yurman's Meteorite Titanium Honeycomb Mini-Collection, first previewed back in November 2014, has finally fully launched; the rings bearing this signature motif are available as limited-edition boutique exclusives. Here's what you need to know:

- There are two styles of Meteorite Titanium Honeycomb ring now available--one is the signet piece posted here, the other is of a band shape.

- The rings are of extreme limited edition with only 26 signet style produced and 36 band style. Each comes numbered and bearing a "limited edition" engraving.

- The rings are available in sizes 9, 10, 11, and 12 and retail in the $1,000-2,000 range.

- The pieces feature a sterling silver shank with meteorite overlay and black titanium shell.

- These limited-edition designs can only be purchased at David Yurman boutiques.

- A design executive has exclusively confirmed to DYMANia that these are the exact, "as-intended" designs originally previewed back in November 2014. Apparently a modified, easier-to-manufacture signet-style Meteorite Titanium Honeycomb ring was developed and quietly released over the winter but then shortly thereafter recalled due to "the compromised aesthetic."

- The tag pendant from the collection, which was originally released in fall of '14, has been pulled from DavidYurman.com and appears, for now, only available through boutique purchase or special order. It retails for $1200 (chain sold separately). It is unclear if additional product will be produced as part of a limited-edition set.

Focused on Gaining a Foothold Abroad, David Yurman Names Gabriella Forte as CEO

Ms. Gabriella Forte (left) with Sybil Yurman

Image Credit: fashionweekdaily.com

JCK and the Daily Front Row reported this weekend that David Yurman has formally tapped Ms. Gabriella Forte to become its next chief executive officer, replacing Yurman himself who acted as interim CEO following the departure of Glen Senk fourteen months ago. Having deep ties to DY, Forte, who has longtime served on the company's board, was sought for her experience helping brands flourish aboard, insiders assert. (See my recent reporting done on David Yurman's failed foray into Asian market expansion.)

David Yurman to WWD on Forte's new role in the company:

We have long wanted Gabriella in this role. She has a deep understanding of our brand and has provided valuable insights and sage counsel through her advisory board position for many years. Her extensive luxury retail experience in the U.S. and internationally is unmatched in the industry, making her the ideal partner to help us continue to grow our global footprint.

Forte started and grew her career at Giorgio Armani before taking leadership positions at Calvin Klein and Dolce & Gabanna. 

Where David Yurman Failed: On the Hong Kong Experiment

This banner still exists. (See "Heritage" on DavidYurman.com.)
The pictured boutique does not.

Image Credit: DavidYurman.com

2008 was a good year for David Yurman. In addition to running another highly-publicized ad campaign starring super model Kate Moss, the company embarked on a two-year global expansion, opening not one but two boutiques in the Hong Kong area. By 2010 the brand had established four shops in Asia. Today none stands.

So what happened, what went wrong, and whose fault is it?