She may be one of the most celebrated stars of Hollywood, but Scarlett Johansson is a consummate New Yorker. Walks in Central Park are her daily ritual, escaping out east is her summertime rite, she loves bagels, and she belongs to Saturday Night Live‘s vaunted Five-Timers Club (a tight membership list that includes Candice Bergen, Drew Barrymore, and Steve Martin). Plus, she is the highest status of New Yorker: she was born and raised here. And, like the best kinds of New Yorkers, she gives back to the community. Not by mindlessly writing checks to big foundations or passively lending her name to causes, as individuals of her caliber are generally wont to do, but by really doing the work.
It helps to have a collaborator who is equally game. In this case that is David Yurman—the jeweler tapped the actress to be its ambassador last year. But a typical celebrity brand partnership this is not. The Yurmans (David and Sybil founded the company in 1980; their son Evan is now its president) are famously philanthropic. Which means their relationship with Johansson isn’t just in service of promoting jewels—it’s also a rare one that not only serves a charitable purpose, with a portion of proceeds directed to an organization, but actually gives the actress full agency in choosing the cause she would most like to champion.
“Oftentimes I feel like I’m asked to highlight a preexisting charitable component or it feels like a corporate obligation, but the Yurmans are so genuine and hands-on,” Johansson tells T&C. “It really feels like a family-run business, and the charitable component is totally authentic to who they are. It’s something that comes naturally and willingly from them.”
Aligning with a New York-based foundation servicing New Yorkers was a priority for Johansson, who was drawn to the work of the Lower Eastside Girls Club, a nonprofit that empowers young women and girls with skills in leadership, entrepreneurship, arts, and STEM, and provides them with a safe space to pursue them.
“I was looking for an organization that had that kind of grassroots reach and drive, with a low administrative cost where you could see your donations affect change,” says the actress, who soon stars in Asteroid City, the new Wes Anderson film that comes out next month. Her sincere enthusiasm for the LEGC’s mission is palpable: “It’s a fantastic organization and the young women that come out of there are really inspiring and most go into other kinds of social work, which is just awesome. They pay it forward.”
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Through this philanthropic initiative with David Yurman, which is now in its second year, they have raised more than $300,000 for the LEGC, and counting—until June 30, 20% of sales from a selection of jewelry handpicked by Johansson will go to the charity. There are 12 pieces, all a reflection of her tastes, from variations on hoops and chains (aka New Yorker staples) as well as a couple of amulets for some talismanic good vibes. “They are things that feel timeless and easy to wear—and pair with other things,” she says.
They might also be the sort of heirlooms she could one day pass down to her daughter, who, at age 8, is already something of a jewelry collector. “She’s like a magpie,” Johansson says. “It’s so funny, she’s been wearing stacked bracelets since she was like 2. She’s got her own look—she knows what she likes.” Another consummate New Yorker in the making.
Shop a selection below, and the full suite at davidyurman.com.
David Yurman Evil Eye Mobile Amulet in 18K Yellow Gold with Pavé Emeralds and Diamonds
David Yurman Carlyle™ Hoop Earrings in 18K Yellow Gold with Pavé Diamonds
David Yurman DY Madison® Chain Bracelet in Sterling Silver
David Yurman DY A Initial Pinky Ring in Sterling Silver with Pavé Diamonds
Editor
Leena Kim is an editor at Town & Country, where she covers travel, jewelry, education, weddings, and culture.
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