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:

Feast Your Eyes on David Yurman's Regal Willow Collection -- Images, Video (Updated)

At an inconveniently late hour on a Friday night, Twitter user @peterjprins posted a link to a site on which a David Yurman Willow Collection promotional video had been uploaded. The clip, which is 2:11 in length and classic Yurman in aesthetic, is everything the F/W '13-14 campaign videos should have been and more. Beguiling, seductive, and characteristically artful, it is not to be missed. Click through for additional screen captures and a link to the clip.

Get a Glimpse at the David Yurman F/W '13-14 Women's Collection

Instagram user @emilylkane was in Menlo Park, New Jersey earlier today previewing the David Yurman F/W '13-14 Women's Collection and was kind enough to upload for public consumption these collages of sumptuous new product:

I absolutely adore--ADORE--the ring in the middle frame
on the right, which is from, if I'm not mistaken,
the soon-to-be-released Willow Collection.

Coming Soon: The David Yurman Miniature Pinky Ring for Women

Seeing is believing. @islandfeversisters gave Instagram users yesterday this preview of what is to come from David Yurman. It appears that Waverly rings with colored gems and miniature pinky rings will soon be available. Get your pocketbooks ready, ladies. While price points have yet to be determined, these pretty creations will likely cost an equally pretty penny. I'll update this posting with additional details as they emerge.

Briefs: New Arrivals, New Catalog, and DY Goes into Mom Mode

What's new and now in the world of Yurman? Much, actually. Here's a rundown of recent developments.

A slew of new product offerings for men are now available at DavidYurman.com, including leather wrap bracelets, a Maritime star amulet, Waves Collection skull pinky rings, and several Swiss Army knives (see below). Check out all the latest additions here.

Second, those on David Yurman's mailing list received late last week a new S/S '13 catalog from the company whose theme is Design Is in the Details. Pieces and quotations from the catalog can be viewed here.

Lastly, let it be known that DY is in full Mother's Day mode (see below) and that the line with which Yurman is leading this April-May is that of the Starburst with pieces ranging from $750 to $24000.

Does anything say love like the glint of a $1600 diamond pendant? ;)

And with that, what do you know? You are officially caught up on your DY news. Now go forth, and be vibrant. 

Trouble for Yurman? John Hardy's S/S '13 Collection Astonishes

On the heels of the release of David Yurman's Spring/Summer '13 campaign comes that of John Hardy, a designer jewelry company headquartered in Hong Kong. Founded in 1975 in Bali, Indonesia, Hardy strives to be, according to its vision statement, "the recognized leader in luxury handmade designer jewelry." And that strife is not in vain or for naught. Hardy has established a global market presence, boasting boutiques or distributors in over thirty countries (compared to Yurman's twenty). Still, Hardy tends not to be my preferred designer. (Obviously. I author a David Yurman blog.) The company's creations tend to be too bold, too brash and brazen for my taste. Note how I say "tend to."

Hardy's new arrivals, only a couple of which I showcase here, seem to signal a change in style and approach to design for JH. Gone is the tackiness, the gaudiness I've come to expect from many of the company's collections (especially those that comprise the men's line). Instead, present is a sense of refinement, of cleanliness. The designs remain intricate--a hallmark of JH--but somehow seem more neat and tidy, as if the company is, in a way, going back to basics. And that's no critique.

What I love about Hardy's new collection and catalog 
1. The Dot and Bedeg new arrivals for women (see above, below)

The pieces in both Dot and Bedeg boast
extraordinary exoticism and mystique.

2. The campaign's focus on the jewelry itself
There is no face of John Hardy's Spring/Summer '13 Collection. There is no model featured in the campaign's 38-page catalog. The star of the collection is, well, the collection.

3. The inclusion of men's pieces in the catalog
Although John Hardy's male customer base is evidently much smaller than its female, it was still given due consideration when the company designed its S/S '13 catalog. Four glossy card-stock pages are dedicated to men's jewelry. Compare that to the zero pages containing product for men in Yurman's booklet.

So does this mean I've gone rogue on Yurman? No, it doesn't. At the end of the day DY will always get my patronage. It just so happens that right now JH has my eye... and maybe yours too? What are your thoughts on John Hardy's S/S '13 Collection? Does it hold a proverbial candle to David Yurman's? Sound off; post a comment or send me an E-mail.

Briefs: A New Yurmanagram and Cable for Kids

I'll begin this posting by sharing with you a most-beautiful Instagram uploaded to the web by @davidyurman this midday. Pictured are designer sketches of what has become the company's 14x7mm Amethyst Waverly Bracelet, which retails for $2950. If you compare these mockups to the actual product, you'll notice the artisans at David Yurman have done a masterful job rendering the two-dimensional sketches into three-dimensional sculpted silver. Really, the only difference between the illustrations and the final design is that the band of pave diamonds has been narrowed a bit in the final-form piece. Whether this was done for aesthetic, structural, or cost reasons remains unknown.

Now, then, let us proceed onward to update number two. Today's E-mail blast from DavidYurman.com (see right) contains a promotional message related to the brand's line of designer jewelry for children. No, you read that right. High-end designer jewelry for children. I know; I don't wholly get it either, but hey, there must be a market for fine children's jewelry or goodness knows the line wouldn't have proliferated as it has. (At the time of writing, some twenty-nine pieces for children are available for purchase on DavidYurman.com). While company advertising copy maintains the gifting of sized-down DY is a beautiful way to "commemorate an important milestone" in a youngster's life, I have to say I remain skeptical. Then again, I'm not a parent, and so maybe I'm not in a position to comment. I will say this, though: what I see in this Cable Kids collection is a little girls' line. Excuse me, but where are the pieces for the little boys, the hip-high DYguys of this world? Oh wait. I'm supposed to be against this whole adorning-kids-in-DY thing. Disregard, please.

How to Stack Your Wrist with Style (and potentially impress Colette Neyrey)

Wrist candy. Arm party. Bracelet swag (cringe). Whatever you want to call it, the practice of stacking bracelets up and down (and beyond) one's wrist has never been hotter. David Yurman acknowledges this in the company's latest Instagram (see right) in which the following imperative is forwarded: Stack up. Snap off. Impress our Executive Style Director. Evidently those who succeed at doing just that will have their Instagrams featured in DY's Facebook gallery.

So does this mean it's time to take every bracelet, watch, and bauble you own and string them somewhere between hand and elbow? No, in fact, it doesn't. You see, there is an art to properly adorning one's wrist. An art? you think. Please, I don't need to learn how to apply bracelets. Oh no? Based on what I've happened upon via Instagram in recent weeks, I'd beg--heartily, in fact--to differ.

That being said, I'm not here to waste your time nor to prate on endlessly. So I'll be quick. I'll keep my suggestions brief. But I think it in our collective best interest that this posting gets read. (We have some heavy offenders out there.)

DYguy's Three Tips for Bracelet Stacking

 

1. Stack only pieces that complement or starkly contrast.

And your best bet is to go with those that complement. Stacks are like outfits, like clothing ensembles. Each piece, while important on its own, contributes to the whole. Bear that in mind when stacking to avoid adornment catastrophes. (Don't think they exist? See below.)

2. Stick to a general theme or statement.

What do you want your wrist to say? Limit yourself to one message per stack. Want to exhibit a light and carefree attitude? Great, select pieces that contribute to the development of that aura. Want to go sultry and mysterious? Excellent. Stack accordingly. Avoid going, however, light and sultry or carefree and mysterious. Doing so may set you on a course to Trainwreckville. (Never been? Again, see below.)

3. Give due consideration to overall visual appeal.

Aesthetics matter. Indeed, with jewelry, sometimes they are all that matters. While it's great that Bracelet A represents your free spirit and Bracelet B stands for your resilience, if A and B do not look good together, they probably shouldn't be worn together. You might have to find another way to demonstrate your free spirit... like, by being you. ;)

All right, so there you have my recommendations. Sometimes, however, recommendations aren't enough. Sometimes they need to be seen to be believed. So, with that, here are some stacks that succeed and others that, well, fail to succeed.

SUCCESS. Gold with gold. Clunky with clunky.
Brava, @msyoung07!

FAILURE. Too many colors and shapes, not enough cohesion.
This ^ is why I'm a reluctant stacker.
I don't want to look like I have--for no reason at all--
my entire collection on at once.

SUCCESS. A limited number of pieces are on display,
and each is of medium to medium-high weight.

FAILURE. Too much geometry.

SUCCESS. (1) Makes a bold statement.
(2) All pieces are Yurman.
(3) The red coral spiritual beads provide important contrast.

FAILURE. Lack of statement and order.

SUCCESS. There's much going on, but the arrangement is
orderly, tidy, and, perhaps most important, unified.
(I love, too, the extension of the stack to the ring.)

SUCCESS/SUCCESS/FAILURE.
OK, show me what you've learned:
Which of the three wrists is the mess?

On Doorsteps Everywhere: The David Yurman 2013 Spring/Summer Catalog Is Here

The catalog's cover.
DY leads with cable and crossover bracelets
(and, of course, Catrinel Marlon).

Received last week by all those on David Yurman's mailing list was the company's latest catalog, a 36-page card-stock document featured product and promotional images from all three of DY's "Dreaming in Color" sub-campaigns, which are, in no particular order, Seduced by Vibrance, Darkness and Light, and Beauty Radiates.

The sole individual on whom DY layers its latest collections in the booklet is brunette bombshell Catrinel Menghia (Marlon), who's evidently all DY wants and/or needs in models this season (not that I am in any way complaining). While the contents of the catalog are, for those who read this blog or subscribe to DY's E-mail updates, anything but "fresh" (practically all images have been featured here or there before), the effect of the aggregate whole remains profound. I've said it before, and I'll say it again--this is going to be the season of Yurman.

Yurman seems to have saved the best for last.
I'm loving these striking-in-their-strangeness
signet rings on the catalog's back cover.

Which of the featured designs tickled my fancy the most, you ask? Why, the ones far outside my price range, but of course. (Then again, I am a man so the point is rather moot.) I am taken by the beauty of the catalog's back-cover curiosities, one-of-a-kind signet rings whose jewel-encrusted surfaces recall reptile scale. The creations, which, I have to say, don't have me thinking David Yurman, come in at (from left to right) $17000, $20000, and $15500.

Did you receive DY's latest catalog? If so, which pieces made an impression on you? Sound off by posting a comment below or by sending me an E-mail.

Interview Magazine Identifies David Yurman Pinky Ring as "Most Wanted"

In case you missed it, Interview Magazine listed yesterday David Yurman's black diamond pinky ring for women as its "most wanted" item of the week. The article's writer, Alexandria Symonds, had this to say about the distinctive piece, whose shell of diamonds will set a buyer back $6800:

This is definitely not your grandpa's signet.

The phrase "ring finger" is a little unnecessarily exclusive, isn't it? We think every digit deserves adornment—and we're starting with the oft-neglected pinky, which can be difficult to outfit for reasons of proportion. A ring too large can overwhelm the finger or, worse, cross over into Mafioso territory; and why bother with a tiny, dainty one? This black diamond creation by David Yurman, a clever update on the signet ring, strikes just the right balance. 

Will you take DY's suggestion and adorn your pinky? If so, are you thinking diamonds or something less audacious? Sound off; leave a comment or write me.

A New Yurmanagram

Posted to Instagram yesterday by @DavidYurman was this low-resolution ad-art, which comes from the spring 2013 "Dreaming in Color" campaign shoot. Why the published image is so terribly pixellated is, I suppose, anyone's guess. As a rule, DY tends to be a very detail-oriented company, and so it is very much surprising to encounter a released image of such low quality. Note, dear reader, that featured again in this Instagram is the same brunette bombshell who is now plastered all over the newly-refreshed DavidYurman.com. You know I love her, but what is your take on this new face of DY?

A New Yurmanagram

@DavidYurman posted some new ad-art to Instagram this evening in which the company's Waverly bracelets for women are featured.

Personally speaking, I can't get enough of these clunky, oversize wraps. DY has done a brilliant job, I feel, rendering down his classic cable and building it back up bigger and--dare I say it--better than ever before. Indeed, what the chocolate bar is the to fun-size morsel, the Waverly bracelet is to the timeless--albeit undeniably subtle--cable. And, heck, if given the option, who would choose bite-size over behemoth? #WaverlyfortheWin