Few people in the jewelry world have a command of the raw and natural quite like David Yurman—not surprising given his background as a sculptor. It is a quality he has long shared with wife Sybil, and which they have passed down to their son Evan, who is the president and chief creative officer of the family business. It is what we can thank for the cable bracelets that anchor our jewelry wardrobes and the 4,000-pound display of Arkansas rock crystal that is a must-see at the Museum of Natural History in New York.
And now, to add to the list: the new David Yurman flagship in Miami. There are certain brands that use a one-size-fits-all approach to retail expansion. Not the Yurmans. Context is key. (Remember they are the ones who pioneered the practice of displaying jewels in individual designer vitrines in department stores.) The space, which celebrates its grand opening today, is as much a soaring testament to the DY MO as it is an architectural gem worthy of its place in the city’s Design District.
The new David Yurman flagship in Miami’s Design District.
“It is made to feel like a part of the art community, using materials like stone, granite, and metals that echo the artistic roots of the neighborhood,” says architect Andrea Tognon, who also kept the construction on theme. “We approached the design much like we would a piece of jewelry—cutting, shaping, and reimagining materials in innovative ways. The idea was to fuse stone and metal in a monolithic vision, much like the bold contrast seen in precious metals and gemstones.”
OG motifs inspired the design of the store. See the sculpted cable reference?
Nods to the David Yurman legacy are cleverly laced throughout. The stepped wall of vertically cut pieces of granite that resembles a necklace. The sculpted handrail at the entrance that is carved like sculpted cable, a motif that is evident in architectural elements elsewhere. “We wanted the store’s materials to reflect the same attention to detail and artistry that we use in our jewelry,” Evan Yurman says. “The use of raw materials mirrors our passion for the natural world, and we specifically chose stones that echoed the precious materials in our designs.”
Classic David Yurman—but make it Miami.
As for the jewels themselves, the heritage collections are naturally well-represented, as are exclusive designs tailored for this clientele. “Bold, semi-precious stones in electric hues like neon greens and cobalt blues embody the energy of the city. But while the store is inspired by Miami, we also made sure to honor our brand’s legacy by incorporating the classics,” Yurman says. “The balance between local inspiration and timeless design allows us to remain rooted in our history while embracing the future.”
Leena Kim is Town & Country’s Editor, covering the travel, jewelry, style, arts and culture, education, and weddings beats. She has no priors—she has been at the magazine for 11 years, having started her career at T&C as the assistant to the editor in chief.
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