Yurman's New Supernova Collection Exploding into Boutiques Oct. 12

Teased for a week or so by various industry insiders on social media, David Yurman's new-for-fall-16 Supernova Collection will be blasting into boutiques next week. The pieces are fire-hot but so are their price points. (The necklace pictured below will set you back $6800 USD.)

Take a look and sound off; what do you think of Supernova? Is it just Starburst on steroids or is it catastrophically chic? Sound off in the comments.

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.

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 Unveils "Enduring Style" F/W '14 Campaign with Little Fanfare, Classic Photography

Image Credit: DavidYurman.com

Via an official website refresh, David Yurman unveiled today its F/W '14 campaign titled "Enduring Beauty," which yes, stars model Kate Moss, who has had an on-again, off-again relationship with the company since she first sat for its photographers back in 2004.

While many bloggers and Twitter users were quick to express approval of Moss's work--Modelinia asserted the model "looks better than ever"--there has been, it seems, little reaction to the campaign as a whole. Perhaps this is because the unveiling was, well, strangely quiet. Recall, if you will, the unfurling of the F/W '12 campaign, which starred Gisele Bundchen. Days before the great reveal, teaser photos dropped. On Facebook, a date (and time!) of debut was set. Heck, a short film was shot, previewed, and then, at precisely 7:30 PM EST on August 1, released.

This year, there was a website update.

Yes, the photography is classic Yurman. Yes, Moss does, indeed, stun, but where is the publicity? Where were the buzz-producing sneak peeks? And I'm sorry; where is the social media synchronicity? (David Yurman's cover photo on Facebook hasn't changed in months, and the company's clearly-on-a-scheduler tweets are backward looking, promoting S/S looks.)

Well, I think I've made my position on this year's "big reveal" abundantly clear. I must say, however, that I am curious to know your thoughts, dear reader. Tell me: Has DY dropped the proverbial ball with the whole of F/W '14? Is the season just off to a rocky start? Do you have, perhaps, an altogether opposing opinion? (Maybe you feel DY moving in the right direction with its reined-in campaign launches.) No matter your view, sound off; post a comment or shoot me an E-mail.

Fall for DY: DYguy's Seasonal Picks for Men -- Pick Five: The Pinky Ring

In the "Fall for DY" five-part feature, DYguy runs through the gentleman's must-haves for fall/winter '13-14. His fifth and final pick, which is his "best overall" for the season in general, is the pinky ring, a look that DYguy maintains "brilliantly offsets yet reinforces one's masculinity."

From DYguy:  The pinky ring is here to stay, and I love what it says about its wearer, which is, essentially, this: "The man's a bad ass." After all, who else is confirmed enough in his identity and masculinity to adorn his daintiest of fingers? My advice to all gentlemen out there is to "man up" this season and rock this devil-may-care look, which I consider to be one of the subversive and edgy in jewelry today.

Fall for DY: DYguy's Seasonal Picks for Men -- Pick Four: Meteorite

In the "Fall for DY" five-part feature, DYguy runs through the gentleman's must-haves for fall/winter '13-14. His fourth pick, which is for the new year of 2014, is meteorite, a stone which recently secured its very own collection at David Yurman.

From DYguy:  Put simply, meteorite ravishes the eye. Its crystal structure lures, intrigues, and stimulates. No other exotic stone in my collection has garnered more compliments from friends, acquaintances, and colleagues alike. There is no better way to start a new year than by putting your best foot forward, and that "foot" in men's jewelry is undeniably meteorite.

Fall for DY: DYguy's Seasonal Picks for Men -- Pick Three: Cognac Diamond

In the "Fall for DY" five-part feature, DYguy runs through the gentleman's must-haves for fall/winter '13-14. His third pick, which is for the winter holidays, is cognac diamond, DYguy's longtime preference over white diamond (and even more so over black).

From DYguy:  White diamonds, while undeniably stunning in their light refraction, can give off what sometimes seems a cold light. Not so with cognac diamonds from David Yurman. These gems, whose hue conjures sunsets and lazy summer afternoons, provide one with a visual escape from the greys, whites, and blacks of the winter months (not to mention their inherent color warmth complements just about any holiday party ensemble).

Fall for DY: DYguy's Seasonal Picks for Men -- Pick Two: Ironwood

In the "Fall for DY" five-part feature, DYguy runs through the gentleman's must-haves for fall/winter '13-14. His second pick, which is for the months of November and December, is Ironwood, a collection to which DYguy warmed slowly.

From DYguy:  Ironwood didn't have me at hello... or at second hello... or third. The collection has won me over, however, and I'm now one of its most ardent defenders. The pieces are superbly styled, lightweight, and to my deep satisfaction, patina beautifully. I've made Ironwood my November-December pick because what better time of the year is there to wear jewelry exuding a wood grain motif than when, with the coming of winter, the inherent woodiness of trees is made bare? 

Fall for DY: DYguy's Seasonal Picks for Men -- Pick One: Dino Bone

In the "Fall for DY" five-part feature, DYguy runs through the gentleman's must-haves for fall/winter '13-14. His first pick, which is for the months of October and November, is dino bone, a surprising selection given DY no longer designs with the stone.

From DYguy:  Dino bone, though discontinued, is not just a stone for fall, it is the stone for fall. Its magnificent burnt orange color conjures turning foliage, and nearly all the pieces into which it is set are statement pieces, which I love to don in fall, a time of the year when even nature exhibits a flair for the dramatic. Oh, and just because a DY design is discontinued does not mean one cannot get the look. The DY outlet in Sunrise, FL (954.838.9979) still offers much dino bone (and at reduced prices!).

A Tease of New-for-Fall-'13 Pave Phantom for Men

Helping us out, @gregmaczko posted this (see below) to Instagram this evening, giving a glimpse at David Yurman's latest men's collection, which is kind of new, kind of resurrected and features color-change garnet set in black titanium.

Image Credit: @gregmaczko (Instagram)

Are these designs available now online? ...Are you kidding me? Much to my our mutual frustration, not a single piece from the F/W '13-14 men's line has debuted on DavidYurman.com. As evidenced by this 'gram, however, the pieces are available in the Nashville boutique, whose telephone number is 615.298.1190. (Yes, I had that on file.) Give 'em a ring, and surely they'll be happy to Fed-Ex one of these beauties to you.

That's all for now, dear reader. DYguy out.

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.

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.

Hi-Res Photos of New Additions to David Yurman Meteorite Collection Emerge

In a Robb Report sidebar titled "Heaven Sent," the following two high-resolution images of soon-to-be-released pieces from David Yurman's Meteorite Collection were featured. (Do note that the latter was previously teased by Instagram user @gregmaczko.)

Image Credit: RobbReport.com

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.

What Can't Come Quickly Enough

The store's usually-enticing displays
looked, on this visit, a little rough.

This weekend brought, among others things, a trip to the David Yurman Chicago boutique on Oak Street. While my visit was, overall, a positive one (is it ever not?), it was also, unfortunately, an unremarkable one in three ways, which I will now enumerate below. These are, officially, The Three Things That Can't Come Quickly Enough:

1. Removal of Bündchen, Posting of Upton (or Menghia... or Mali or Hemingway)
Hasn't Fall 2013 launched? Why is an oversize Gisele still featured to the left of the store's front doors? Don't get me wrong; I love the model and her work for DY, but that image is from the Fall 2012 campaign. Out with the old. In with the new, right?

2. Demotion of Griffin Collection
Yes, I solemnly declare I seek the withdrawment of the Griffin line. I've now inspected thoroughly most of the rings in the collection and can say they are as I've all along thought--that is, average at best. Being such, they should not occupy a half of a display case (as they presently do), not in a boutique with only four men's collection cases! According to the sales professional with whom I spoke, the designs are only selling "OK" due to their being crafted for a "very specific customer" and having not all the "kinks [in design] worked out." Enough is enough, I say. Feature one piece--my vote goes to the red jasper signet ring--and place the rest in back stock.

3. Release of New Men's Product
Part of me really believed F/W pieces had debuted, just not online. That part of me was wrong. There are, at this time, no new men's arrivals in the DY boutiques either. And so we continue to wait. I've heard rumblings of a mid-September release. As always, I'll keep you posted.

That's all for now. DYguy over and out.

This Morning: Kate Upton for DY, Tonight: The Rooftop Soiree

Kate Upton for DY

It brings me great pleasure to report the face of David Yurman for fall 2013 is none other than 21-year-old model and actress Kate Upton. These photos (see below) from the soon-to-be-released campaign, which was shot by Peter Lindbergh, were published to Glamour.com this morning:

Kate Upton | Image Credit: Glamour.com

Kate Upton | Image Credit: Glamour.com

Other models featured in the campaign include Dree Hemingway (25), Anais Mali (22), and my personal favorite Catrinel Menghia (27):

Dree Hemingway | Image Credit: Glamour.com

Anais Mali | Image Credit: Glamour.com

Catrinel Menghia | Image Credit: Glamour.com

While these shots represent anything but a departure for DY--they are quintessential Yurman--it is refreshing to see Upton afforded, for once, the dignity she duly deserves. She's been so long objectified in images such as the one below (a cover for men's magazine GQ) that seeing this work for DY might, for some, provide quite the shock.

Kate Upton | Image Credit: onemansblog.com

The Rooftop Soiree

The 2012 Rooftop Soiree and Campaign Video Reveal
Image Credit: houseofharperblog.com

The New York Observer is reporting that tonight David Yurman will hold its Fall 2013 Rooftop Soiree at 24 Vestry Street in New York City from 6:30-8:30 PM. The event, which is invitation-only, represents and signals the kick off of the new season for the company. As photos emerge from the gathering, this entry will be updated to include them. (Oh, and David Yurman, what do you say to an invite next year?) ;)

UPDATE: The soiree is through, but the images keep coming. Here are some of my favorites from this evening's event:

Jason Binn of DuJour.com with the master and his muse
Image Credit: @jasonbinn (Instagram)

Mid-event
Image Credit: @anahitaglitters (Instagram)

Revelers bid adieu to day.
Image Credit: @carolyn_hsu (Instagram)

Darkness falls.
Image Credit: @tristanvalencia (Twitter)

Kate Upton in a little black dress
Image Credit: @DailyFrontRow (Twitter)

A glamified Upton
Image Credit: @carolyn_hsu (Instagram)

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.)