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?

Oscars 2014 Jewelry Roundup: The Stars Step out in Designer but Snub Yurman

So the glitterati stepped out on Sunday in baubles captivating and beguiling, but this Yurman fanatic was disappointed by what proved nothing less than a glaring absence of visible Yurman. While some male celebrities (most notably, Leonardo DiCaprio and Will Smith) donned subtle DY finishings like shirt and ear studs, no statement Yurman pieces were on display on any celeb, man or woman. (OK, so two-bit Alexandra Daddario wore pave black-diamond earrings to the Vanity Fair after party, and the relative nobody Paula Patton wore some studs. Neither is worth mentioning.)

So whom did the A-listers step out wearing? Here's a rundown of the looks and designers featured:

Per usual, stunner Cate Blanchett
showed Chopard some love.

Image Credit: indianexpress.com

And So the Waiting Game Begins...

Fall 2013. It's coming. It's imminent, even. Last year, on August 2, 2012, David Yurman teased its fall campaign. On August 8th, then, the company began releasing images from said campaign. What I'm saying, folks, is that big things are coming, which is why there has been so little to report over the past month and a half or so. The only "news" (if you can call it that) from that period was this: a survey conducted by The Luxury Institute revealed the top three jewelry brands preferred by ultrawealthy women--those with a minimum net worth of $5 million--are, in descending order, most beloved first, Tiffany & Co. (blech), David Yurman (woo!), and Cartier.

And that was it. Then, last week, our friend @gregmaczko posted this to Instagram:

Pictured are soon-to-be-released additions to the men's meteorite line. Greg is especially fond of the rose gold signet ring featured in the bottom frame (and so am I!).

Around the time of Greg's posting, this (see below) hit Twitter:

And so we do just that--we stay tuned. Our feelers are out there. We're standing at attention. The second there is news to report or an update to share, you know, dear reader, I'll be on it for you. Until then, be, live, and work "in perfect harmony." (Yes, that's a reference to DY S/S '13 sub-campaign copy.)

Why There's No Comparing Tiffany & Co. to David Yurman (with pictures to prove it)

So a female colleague at my day job, knowing my adoration of David Yurman, remarked last week that DY is "great and all" but--and I quote--"we need to get you some Tiffany in your life." Knowing it was unwise to speak what I was thinking (i.e., Are you kidding me?!), I just blinked at her. But, really, are you kidding me? I mean, have you seen the men's collection at Tiffany & Co.? A glance at their offerings, and two words come to mind. Kay Jewelers. OK, so maybe that's not entirely fair. Glorified Kay Jewelers. (And that's entirely fair.)

You see, the offerings at Tiffany's for men are, to me, kind of sad. The line is just... kind of there. I get a sense there is very little corporate investment related to its development. While the pieces offered are sleak and clean in design, they are, in a word, boring. Or maybe "safe" is a better word. Or maybe "unremarkable." They certainly aren't cut to impress, to draw the eye. Still, I suppose that's OK. I mean, goodness knows not everyone wants his or her jewelry to make a statement. One should know, though, that in wanting not one's jewelry to make a statement, a person makes a very loud statement.

But that's enough dithering. My argument, dear reader, is, essentially, this: David Yurman is artistry. Tiffany & Co. produces (for men) accessories. If jewelry is, as Grace Kelly's character contends in Rear Window, "basic equipment," don't you want or, to use the D-word, deserve equipment in its highest form? If you're going to drop $600 on a ring, don't you want to buy the most elegantly-crafted available? That's all I'm saying. DY is on another level, a higher plane than is Tiffany's when it comes to men's collection design. So--what do you say--can we stop comparing apples to oranges?

Now having said that, allow me to present to you a slew of side-by-side product comparison shots. :)

The Basic Cuff

David Yurman, $450

Tiffany & Co., $425

The Classic Band

David Yurman, $425

Tiffany & Co., $2250

The Cross Necklace

David Yurman, $785

Tiffany & Co., $225

The Trend Ring

David Yurman, $975

Tiffany & Co., $475

Do those help to elucidate my argument? See left for original, masterful designs. See right for those that suffice but call to mind pieces found at large-chain jewelry stores (or appear straight from the Armani Exchange catalog).