Exclusive First Look: David Yurman Hides Secret Messages in Clever New DY Whispers Collection

...And you won't even need a decoder ring to read them! Just in time for Valentine's Day 2017, David Yurman is releasing new cable cuff bracelets from a collection designated DY Whispers—fitting given each of the pieces quietly transmits a message but only to the wearer. Take a look to see what I mean:

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)

David Yurman, the Man, Sits Down with Ken Downing of Neiman Marcus

Published this week to the official blog of Neiman Marcus was a conversation (think interview but more casual) between NM fashion director Ken Downing and the one and only Mr. David Yurman. Here are some highlights and images from:

Image Credit: Neiman Marcus 

On bringing Cable to the public at a 1982 trade show:
"The first moment was frightening."



On bracelets and bracelet stacking:
"I don't trust people who don't have good appetites or who wear only one bracelet. I don't care if it's my bracelet. It's bracelets--there's an 's' at the end."



On being preoccupied at school:
"I was ADD and dyslexic, but wasn't diagnosed with ADD until '75. I would daydream and find my language in drawing and lines."

Southwest Dreaming: The David Yurman Frontier Collection for Men Is Here... and Coming (Updated)

Image Credit: whitewallmag.com

This is a developing story, and so, dear reader, I'll share what I know when I know it. (That means check back for updates.)

Back in January, Whitewall Magazine did a little piece on what is new and coming from David Yurman. (Yeah, I didn't catch it either.) Well, evidently, what was quietly teased then is now enjoying an equally quiet roll out--that is, for now, anyway. Here is what's up:



There is a new David Yurman Frontier Collection for men.
Details are scarce at this time, but inspiration sources appear to include cowboys and indigenous peoples, to say nothing of regional flora and fauna. Here's an anything-but-revelatory blurb on the collection, which surfaced on DavidYurman.com late this afternoon:

The Bigger Shame: Britney Spears's New Album Is Horrible or the Fact She's Wearing David Yurman in Promoting Said?

Check out my glorious jewelry.
Pay no attention to my criminally-bad music.

So Britney Spears's new album Britney Jean, which critics have nigh universally panned, dropped on December 3. My question to you, dear reader, is this:

What's the bigger shame: that this album is a mess of filler and overproduced dreck or the fact that Brit Brit is donning DY in the promotion of said mess? At the end of the proverbial day, what is, to you, worse: the production of bad music or the cheapening of a stately luxury brand? 

At Last, a David Yurman F/W '13-14 Men's Collection Preview (Now with Tag Necklaces!)

Late last night Instagram user @burniebear shared these (see below) images, which were captured, it seems, at a DY fall preview event at/for Nordstrom Perimeter in Atlanta, Georgia. Revealed are three bracelets and several rings, mostly band-style, from David Yurman's F/W '13-14 Men's Collection. Revel in the artistry. (My impressions are posted as image captions.)

Of the three designs showcased here,
my initial preference is for the middle one,
though I suppose I should see all in their full glory
before making any verdicts.

Brit in a Bit of David Yurman

Image courtesy of Britney Spears Hungary

Britney Spears co-hosted Wango Tango 2013, a day-long concert event, on Saturday, May 11 at The Home Depot Center in Carson, California. The 31-year-old entertainer arrived on the scene in a Roberto Cavalli dress, Saint Laurent shoes, and, yes, a chiclet bracelet by David Yurman. (See left for a closeup of the DY.) The piece worn by Spears is, unfortunately, not available for purchase online at DavidYurman.com. One can, however, drop a cool $9000 on an elegant one-row variation on the Spears piece, which features cognac diamonds. (See below.)

I don't know how I feel about this B Spears look.  Excepting the DY wristwear, I have to say I find it, well, a bit unremarkable. What's your take? Sound off; post a comment or write me an E-mail.

David Yurman's Cognac Diamond
Chiclet Bracelet (Available Online), $8900

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. 

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.

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).

Briefs: Two New Yurmanagrams and DY Is Coming to YYZ

What's new in the world of David Yurman? Give me three--exactly three--minutes of your time, and I'll get you up to speed.

To begin, @DavidYurman has been busy on Instagram these last two days. The 'gram to the left was posted yesterday, the 25th, while the one to the right was posted earlier today. (Want to look closer? Give each image a click.)

The piece pictured resembles DY's Signature
Oval Ring ($2650), only it appears more
round than oblong. I'd love to be a fly on
the wall in that production studio!

DY returned to form today, posting
this piece of ad-art, which showcases new
Renaissance bracelets ($4800 for sterling
varieties, $15750 for 18k gold)

David Yurman's original cable bracelet

Before moving on, I'd like to point out for those who do not know the likely reason the bracelets in the second 'gram are part of a collection titled "Renaissance." Take a look here (right) at David Yurman's original cable bracelet, which was handmade by the designer himself back in 1983. Does the designation make sense now? The original cable is enjoying a renaissance in DY's Renaissance collection! How apropos.

OK, now to promulgate my third and final brief. David Yurman is evidently building its first boutique in Canada, a country that has recently been identified as number 8 on the list of the world's wealthy. The boutique is set to open in Yorkdale Shopping Centre in Toronto, a venue that strives to sate the "aspirational rich," later this year.

All right, so there you have it. You are caught up on your Yurman news, and look at that: You have some thirty-odd seconds to spare. Why not spend that time sounding off? Post a comment below or write me an E-mail. Let's go; now you're down to twenty-nine seconds!

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?

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

Instagram of the Week

I search high and low each week (not really, I just browse images tagged #DavidYurman) in a quest to find what is, in my estimation, the best DY-related Instagram of that seven-day stretch. This week's pick comes from @b25thomas.

Not only do I love, love, love the sophisticated-yet-understated look of a Yurman rubber weave bracelet, the shot composition, color scheme, and strategic use of blur here especially impress. Way to wow, @b25thomas.

Check back next Wednesday (and every Wednesday after) for a new DYMANia Instagram of the Week.