EditorsNov 07, 2025
Piece of the Week: An MVP’s Sapphire Tennis Necklace At the 2025 World Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Yoshinobu Yamamoto sported a custom necklace made by California retailer Happy Jewelers.
Events & AwardsAug 31, 2016
Retrouvai Wins ‘The Next Now’ Competition
The inaugural emerging jewelry designer competition from Ylang23 and TrendSeeder was held last week in New York.
Retrouvaí, the winner of the inaugural The Next Now design competition, aims for a modern heirloom feel. Pictured here is the Magna ring in 14-karat yellow gold with white diamonds ($2,645).
New York--A group of retailers and tastemakers have crowned the winner of the first The Next Now design competition.
Held last week in New York, the competition narrowed down a pool of more than 100 applicants to a group of 70 to present their lines in person to a panel of judges in a round-table setting.
The panel consisted of Joanne Teichman, founder and managing director of Dallas jeweler Ylang23; Alvani Patel, founder and CEO of fashion incubator TrendSeeder; Steven Alan, designer and CEO; Melissa Joy Manning, fine jewelry designer; Burak Cakmak, dean of the Parson’s School of Fashion; and Will Kahn, the fashion market and accessories director at Town & Country.
The panel chose Los Angeles-based fine jewelry label Retrouvaí from designer Kirsty Stone.
Formerly called Supply + Demand Jewelry, the line was renamed this year. Retrouvaí is a take on the French word “retrouvailles,” which means “the joy in reconnecting with someone from your past,” Stone explained.
The name is appropriate for Stone’s classic design aesthetic. Entirely made in L.A., her pieces embody timeless style and possess an heirloom feel, but incorporate a touch of the unexpected. Her signet rings, for example, feature magical creatures like flying pigs and unicorns.
Mother-of-Pearl Globe necklace in 14-karat yellow gold with mother-of-pearl, white diamond and blue sapphire ($1,610)
Flying Pig signet ring in 14-karat yellow gold ($1,040)
South Sea Pearl Gypsy earrings in 14-karat yellow gold with South Sea pearls, diamonds, citrine and coral ($1,425)
Magna ring in 14-karat yellow gold with white diamonds ($2,645)
Mini Mother of Pearl Globe necklace in 14-karat yellow gold with mother-of-pearl and white diamond ($635)
“Retrouvaí is about reinterpreting very classic motifs that have been passed down through generations, and combining these with an attitude that embodies the modern woman,” said Stone. “It incorporates an element of nostalgia with a modern delivery; jewelry that women can wear with everything and have for decades.”
Stone previously worked for an architectural manufacturing firm. She shadowed a high-volume jeweler in the evenings and on weekends for nine months to learn the jewelry business, then launched her own line less than two years ago.
Stone currently works in 14-karat gold, often incorporating diamonds, South Sea pearls and mother- of-pearl in her designs. Her designs range from $600 to $5,000 retail, with the majority of her pieces retailing between $1,000 and $1,500.
Stone’s prize will include a purchase order from Ylang23 and promotion on the store’s e-commerce site, 20 hours of mentorship from Teichman and Manning, a one-year membership to TrendSeeder and a presentation to the Steven Alan buying team.
"The applicant pool was amazing,” said Teichman in a release, “and in addition to the winner, we will be extending
a buy to a small, select group.”
“The Next Now was a whirlwind experience,” Stone commented. “I think programs like this are invaluable to emerging talent because feedback and market validation are so critical early on. In a segment that is so saturated, it’s important for us to have a unique voice, and be able to differentiate ourselves very quickly (say five minutes in a boardroom with industry veterans).”
Ylang23 said they expected to hold another edition of The Next Now in 2017.
“The Next Now was a whirlwind experience,” Stone commented. “I think programs like this are invaluable to emerging talent because feedback and market validation are so critical early on. In a segment that is so saturated, it’s important for us to have a unique voice, and be able to differentiate ourselves very quickly (say five minutes in a boardroom with industry veterans).”
Ylang23 said they expected to hold another edition of The Next Now in 2017.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
IndependentsNov 07, 2025
Foundrae’s New Palm Beach Location Is a ‘Golden Solarium’The brand’s seventh location combines Foundrae’s symbolic vocabulary with motifs from Florida’s natural surroundings.
FinancialsNov 07, 2025
Watches of Switzerland’s H1 Sales Up 8%The retailer also shared an update on the impact of tariffs on watch customers.
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America Aligns New Mission to Create Meaningful Impact for MembersFrom educational programs, advocacy, and recent MJSA affiliation, Jewelers of America drives progress that elevates businesses of all sizes.
SourcingNov 06, 2025
Pink Tourmaline Bracelet, Emerald Suite Take Top Spectrum Honors Pink and purple stones were popular in the AGTA’s design competition this year, as were cameos and ocean themes.
Weekly QuizNov 06, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsNov 06, 2025
Greenwich St. Jewelers Hosts Raffle Supporting Food RescueAll proceeds from the G. St x Jewel Boxing raffle will go to City Harvest, which works to end hunger in New York City.
IndependentsNov 06, 2025
Cornell’s Jewelers Names New PresidentCourtney Cornell is part of the third generation to lead the Rochester, New York-based jeweler.
SourcingNov 06, 2025
De Beers’ Production, Sales Increase in Q3 De Beers also announced more changes in its upper ranks ahead of parent company Anglo American’s pending sale of the company.
WatchesNov 05, 2025
Shinola President Steps Down Just as He Starts Former Signet CEO Mark Light will remain president of Shinola until a replacement for Ulrich Wohn is found.
AuctionsNov 05, 2025
Taylor Swift’s Engagement Ring Designer Makes Her Auction DebutKindred Lubeck of Artifex has three rings she designed with Anup Jogani in Sotheby’s upcoming Gem Drop sale.
FinancialsNov 05, 2025
Pandora Posts Modest Q3 Sales Growth Amid ‘Weak’ Consumer Sentiment The company focused on marketing in the third quarter and introduced two new charm collections, “Pandora Talisman” and “Pandora Minis.”
FinancialsNov 05, 2025
Brilliant Earth’s Q3 Sales Climb 10%The jewelry retailer raised its full-year guidance, with CFO Jeff Kuo describing the company as “very well positioned” for the holidays.
Policies & IssuesNov 04, 2025
Supreme Court to Hear Tariffs Case WednesdayAhead of the hearing, two industry organizations co-signed an amicus brief urging the court to declare Trump’s tariffs unlawful.
MajorsNov 04, 2025
Danny Clark to Become Stuller CEO, Succeeding Matt StullerStuller COO Belit Myers will take on the additional role of president, with all changes effective at the start of 2026.
ColumnistsNov 04, 2025
Peter Smith: What Do Birds Have to Do With the Price of Gold? Smith cautions retailers against expending too much energy on things they can’t control, like the rising price of gold.
TrendsNov 04, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Fall Colors for November BirthdaysCitrine and topaz are birthstones fit for fall as the leaves change color and the holiday season approaches.
IndependentsNov 04, 2025
Weston Jewelers Heads to Fort LauderdaleThe family-owned jeweler will open its fourth store in Florida in late 2027.
CrimeNov 03, 2025
Men Dressed as Construction Workers Burglarize Jeweler’s Home The NYPD is looking for three men who stole a safe and jewelry valued at $3.2 million from the home of a jeweler in Jamaica Hills, Queens.
MajorsNov 03, 2025
Matthew Rosenheim Takes Over as JA Board ChairThe trade organization also announced its executive committee and five new directors.
CollectionsNov 03, 2025
Muse’s ‘Have a Heart’ Collab Returns, Now With DDGThe “Have a Heart x Diamonds Do Good” collection is championed by model and humanitarian Flaviana Matata and will benefit her foundation.
AuctionsNov 03, 2025
Kashmir Sapphire Ring Tops Christie's Online AuctionThe ring, set with a nearly 17-carat Kashmir cabochon sapphire, sold for $1 million.
TrendsOct 31, 2025
Piece of the Week: A Spinner Fit for ‘Frankenstein’This “Mother Father” spinner necklace from Heavenly Vices Fine Jewelry draws inspiration from Victorian Era jewelry.
CrimeOct 31, 2025
5 More Arrested in Louvre Heist, Jewelry Still Missing The suspects were rounded up in Paris and its suburbs on Wednesday night, but none of the stolen jewels were recovered with them.
Recorded WebinarsOct 31, 2025
Watch: How to Master Google Reviews for Your BusinessExperts share top tips on how to encourage positive reviews and handle negative feedback.
Supplier BulletinOct 30, 2025
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessSponsored by the Gemological Institute of America
CrimeOct 30, 2025
29-Year-Old Man Charged in Multiple Seattle-Area Smash and Grabs The suspect faces charges in the August robbery of Menashe & Sons Jewelers and is accused of committing smash and grabs at two pawn shops.
