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New York based jewelry designer, David Yurman chose Nashville, TN as the home of his first freestanding boutique in Tennessee. David started his artistic career as a sculptor and successfully transitioned into the jewelry business. His iconic cable bracelets catapulted his label to fame in the early 1980s and his recent advertisements with Kate Moss have created a brand recognition that is second to none. Given the fact that there are currently only 19 David Yurman boutiques in the United States, it is quite an honor that Nashville, Tennessee is now among them.

To add to the excitement of the event, David Yurman himself, as well as his wife Sybil, were present at the Grand Opening of the Nashville, TN store located at The Mall at Green Hills on Wednesday, May 18, 2011.

The event was grand indeed, complete with black carpet (not red) leading up to the sectioned off storefront with velvet rope no less, and highly guarded by security. As I approached, I saw David and others casually chatting and taking photos in front of the David Yurman backdrop. 

I immediately spotted Mayor Karl Dean, legendary guitarist Steve Cropper, and Troy Gentry of the duo Montgomery Gentry. I meandered inside to find a boutique overflowing with excited jewelry connoisseurs and eager buyers. Champagne and white wine were served on trays as well as delicious hors d'oeuvres and desserts.

The store was beautifully laid out and I heard David comment that he really liked the openness of the space. Some of his beautiful designs were displayed in the front windows and lined the cases throughout the store. Women's jewelry adorned the majority of the cases, but the men were not left out. There were plenty of men's jewelry items and watches on display and I saw lots of men and women admiring them all.  

David circulated throughout the crowd and was very friendly and approachable. In fact, I overheard David talking to one of the women in attendance who had been collecting his jewelry for years. He asked her questions about her collection, where she obtained each piece and seemed to have a genuine interest in his customers and a passion for his craft.

After about an hour of mingling and chatting, Mayor Karl Dean spoke, welcomed David to Nashville and even made him an honorary citizen. And, since this IS Music City, David was given an Epiphone, DR-100 acoustic guitar signed by Mayor Karl Dean, Troy Gentry, and Steve Cropper.

After the presentation, David and his wife Sybil worked the counter answering questions, making sales, and signing copies of his Lookbook. Apparently, the two make a great team and perhaps inspired a little romance. Moments later, guests in attendance witnessed a marriage proposal by a young man and his now fiancé.

(There's the happy couple!)

Good thing we had champagne on hand! Champagne, diamonds, and a marriage proposal… it just doesn't get more romantic than that!  

I saw quite a few patrons, including another happy couple who purchased matching diamond wedding bands, walk out with David Yurman purchases. Each purchase was even more meaningful as a percentage of the sales for the evening went to The T.J. Martell Foundation which focuses on finding cures for leukemia, cancer, and AIDS.

If you missed the Grand Opening, you can find the David Yurman boutique at The Mall of Green Hills upstairs near Macy's. You can also shop David's collection online at www.davidyurman.com.