DAVID YURMAN ~ AN ONGOING PROJECT

Leading jeweller David Yurman started his artistic career, at a very young age, as a sculptor. It was during this period of mastering this form of art that he met his now wife and partner in design/business – Sybil. Today, along with their son Evan, they have developed a world of luxury jewellery. The defining statement that identifies the leading jewellery brand of DAVID YURMAN is the iconic Cable design.

With the commemoration of the re-opening of his store in Vancouver at Holt Renfrew, Mr. David Yurman met with Perfect Wedding Magazine’s Fashion Editor – Claudia Torres, in the comfort of a private shopping space at the newly renovated store to talk about his successful brand, design process and marriage.

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Photo: Patrick Demarchelier

I like to be called a maker, not an artist. I make things. – David Yurman

What gave birth to your ‘Cable’ design?

A mistake. I was looking for form… a friend at a trade show told me “David, you are making too much jewellery. You have to stand for something,” – she continued “You need to be well known for something”,… as she was choosing from the pieces of jewellery I had at the time in exhibition.

Even though I was having fun doing what I was designing: unique pieces. I started working on it. I had a woven metal mesh, I love to experiment using the proper technology. I had the idea to put the woven mesh over hydraulic tubing, so I thought that if I can find a machine that can make this, a machine that I could retrofit to use gold strands and make tubular shapes, then I can fabricate them… I was sold that it was the way to do it. We made several pieces, then I took wires and twisted them, making shapes like bridges… I thought it was another form we could focus on. I was all for the mesh… I’ve found the machine that could produce it! Then the weirdest thing happened there was a hurricane and with the hurricane there were two tornados that took the roof of the factory where these machines were and destroyed them all, then I just said… I guess we will do the Cable!

Sybil, my wife, thought we should do the Cable since the beginning and that it was the form we need to focus on. Once again, Sybil was right (laughs). She though it was a form that has flexibility and we could make bracelets and necklaces…

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David Yurman Pure Form Collection Bracelets in 18K and Silver.

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For the first time ever, David Yuman introduces the Pure Form Necklace in sterling Silver.

In your Fall/Winter 2016 collection, Solari and Supernova are inspired in the limitless beauty of Cosmos. How do you come up with the themes for your collections? What is the creative process behind it?

Sometimes we backfill, we just make shape. In the case of Supernova, which one time was called ‘Spray’, Supernova came out of Starburst, which was launched two years before and is an elevation of hand-craftsmanship. It was a collection that came out from the combination of working with our son Evan. Sybil wanted to do this look and we did it. The next year Evan commented that he would like to take it to the next level, he said “I would like to elevate it, put a centre stone, use the cut that I developed at Gustav Caesar and I said Yes! It was three times the cost to do that stone, clear window, beautifully cut, you can’t have any inclusion in it. I said “Yes, we will figure it out, what we can do.” It was made like fine high-jewellery in silver, and so the result was an improvement… I think it elevates.

Design is collaborative… you want to be connected to it, to who made it. The artists, all of us, the whole house: I direct, Sybil critics, some of her critics are very critical to change on it, some are just little glimpses, Evan looks at the overall process. Our process of design is a democracy.

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David Yurman Supernova Bracelet in 18K with Diamonds.

What would you recommend to a Bride who is looking into choosing a statement piece for her wedding day?

I would suggest go with your best friends or your Mom and go shop. Don’t go on-line and flip a digital magazine. You want to go to the store, experience, try the pieces. Consider what is your personal taste, the look of your dress and identify what really makes you feel it is the piece of jewellery for you!

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David Yurman Supernova Necklace in 18K Gold with Diamonds.

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David Yurman Supernova Ring in 18K Gold with Diamonds.

Can you give a word of advice to our readers on marriage and how to succeed in both personal and professional existence when you are sharing with your partner both aspects of life?

It is not easy, it really isn’t, but I can tell you it is much more rewarding (working and living together). It doesn’t work to have the attitude “it is my way or the highway”, It is all about balance. There is no perfect marriage, in our experience we like each other, we have respect for each other. Communicate! We share our money, totally. We share points of view, we don’t always agree. Sharing is important, it is not that you are equal, it is about being respectful, respect your individual moment. I learned when I studied ‘Family in business’: Structure is your friend and Communication is your best friend. Same in marriage, structure is important. Establish rules. Communicate a lot, set what the boundaries are. We are not great for that! (laughs…) We overlap too much on who does what… We give freedom to each other, we collaborate in just about everything, and we don’t have a clear separation. Together we make one smart person. Share as much as you can.

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David Yurman Stax Bracelets in 18K Yellow, White or Rose Gold with Diamonds.

What do you enjoy doing when you are not working?

I have a passion to ride western Quarter horses, I have three horses and I compete occasionally on a very intermediate level.

As Mr. David Yurman is having to leave the room to catch a plane back to New York and continue with his projects he answers one more question: What would you come back as in your next life? David Yurman confidently replied, “a Musician – I would play harmonica!”

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David Yurman Stax Cuff in 18K Yellow Gold with Diamonds.

 

Gordon Cooper

Editor-in-Chief/Art Director for Perfect Wedding Magazine. A fearless and intuitive Director/Producer/Production Manager who loves to travel - without being a tourist!

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